Architectural / Civil Drafter

Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Architectural Designer; Architectural Drafter; Architectural Draftsman; CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer); CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician); CADD Drafter (Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Drafter); Civil Drafter; Drafting Technician (Drafting Tech); Draftsman; Draftsperson

Tasks

• Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
• Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
• Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
• Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
• Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary.
• Obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary.
• Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
• Represent architect or engineer on construction site, ensuring builder compliance with design specifications and advising on design corrections, under supervision.
• Review rough sketches, drawings, specifications, and other engineering data to ensure that they conform to design concepts.
• Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
• Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
• Finish and duplicate drawings and documentation packages according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods.
• Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections, or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings.
• Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
• Correlate, interpret, and modify data obtained from topographical surveys, well logs, and geophysical prospecting reports.

Knowledge

• Design
• Engineering and Technology
• Building and Construction
• Computers and Electronics
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Customer and Personal Service

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Mathematics
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Near Vision
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Visualization
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Fluency of Ideas
• Category Flexibility
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Originality
• Speech Clarity
• Number Facility
• Selective Attention