ASCE GUIDELINES FOR ENGINEERING GRADES

grade i grade ii grade iii

general • Possesses foundational engineering concepts through undergrad- • Acquires fundamental knowledge and develops skills in a specific • Develops broad knowledge and skills in a specific practice area.
uate-level education. practice area through mentored experience. • Evaluates, selects, and applies standard techniques, procedures,
characteristics • Acquires basic knowledge and develops basic skills through • Applies standard techniques, procedures, and criteria to perform and criteria to perform a task or sequence of tasks for conven-
mentored experience. assigned tasks as part of a broader assignment. tional projects with few complex features.
• Applies learned knowledge and skills to perform assigned tasks. • Understands and complies with ethical codes. • Collaboratively uses judgment to determine adaptations in
• Performs routine technical work which does not require previous methods for nonroutine aspects of assignments.
experience. • Applies principles of probability and statistics to determine risk
• Acknowledges and identifies the ethical and professional respon- relevant to civil engineering.
sibilities of a civil engineer. • Values and applies ethical behavior in the practice of civil
engineering.

technical • Collects data and gathers information or documents. • Performs basic design tasks. • Performs moderate design tasks.
• Participates in laboratory testing and field investigations. • Assists on tasks such as: field activities, material testing, CADD • Prepares portions of plans, specifications, and other project
responsibilities • Performs basic computations or analysis. work, permit applications, and report writing. documents.
• Assists with preparation of engineering deliverables. • Performs research and field investigation.
• Observes construction activities.

program, • Responsible for personal task management and adherence to deadlines and scope. • Works as a part of a team and coordinates work with others.
• No managerial responsibilities at this level. • Assists in determining schedule and budget requirements.
project,
and task
management

management, • Receives close supervision on all aspects of assignments. • Receives close supervision on most aspects of assignments, • Receives instruction on specific objectives.
• Attains mentored experience from a licensed civil engineer. particularly on difficult problems, and a general review of all • Receives direction on unconventional and/or complex problems
supervision, aspects of work. and possible solutions.
and guidance • Attains mentored experience from a licensed civil engineer. • Receives a thorough review of completed work for the applica-
tion of sound professional judgment.
• Attains mentored experience from a licensed civil engineer
typically in their specialty.

communication, • Possesses basic oral and written communication skills. • Possesses basic oral and written communication skills. • Possesses effective oral and written communication skills.
• Identifies and acknowledges principles of teamwork and leader- • Explains and practices basic principles of formal/informal com- • Demonstrates assertiveness and cooperation in managing
teamwork, and ship, including justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. munication, teamwork, and leadership, including justice, equity, conflicts.
leadership • Interacts primarily with internal project team members. diversity, and inclusion. • Interacts with internal and external project team members.
• Practices professionalism and respectful inclusion in the • Assists with official communication pertaining to specific
workplace. assignments/meetings.
• Engages in few project stakeholder interactions.

typical titles • Intern/Co-Op, Engineering/Professional Trainee, Student • Engineering Intern/Engineer-in-Training, Designer, Engineering Associate, Analyst
Assistant

experience • 0+ years • 0+ years • 2+ years

education • Enrolled in an ABET/EAC-accredited bachelor’s degree program • Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program
in engineering. • Master’s degree or equivalent (optional)

licensure and • Engineering Intern/Engineer-in-Training (optional) • Engineering Intern/Engineer-in-Training

certification

professional • Student member of professional practice organization. • Member of professional practice organization. • Member of professional practice organization.
• Participates in technical student competition teams. • Member of local program or committee.
activities

community Involved in outreach activities with community service organizations.

activities

equivalent • GS-3 to GS-4 • GS-5 to GS-7 • GS-8 to GS-10

federal general
schedule (gs)

American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE Guidelines for Engineering Grades, 2022. 1 | ASCE GUIDELINES FOR ENGINEERING GRADES
 ASCE GUIDELINES FOR ENGINEERING GRADES
grade iv grade v grade vi

general • Applies broad knowledge of principles and practices in a specific • Independently applies extensive and diverse knowledge of principles and • Applies thorough knowledge of current principles and practices
practice area. practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields. of engineering related to the variety of aspects affecting their
characteristics • Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts standard tech- • Modifies or extends accepted theories and practices of civil engineering organization.
niques, procedures, and criteria. to complete assignments. • Applies progressively acquired expertise to resolve crucial issues
• May act in responsible charge of projects. • Acts in responsible charge of projects. and/or unique conditions.
• Acquires general knowledge of principles and practices of related • L eads tasks and projects of moderately complex scopes. • Keeps informed of new methods and developments affecting
fields, and ability to function on multidisciplinary teams. • Develops plans, specifications, and other project documents. their organization and recommends new practices or changes in
• Applies leadership and teamwork skills to effectively plan, • Selects appropriate principles of engineering economics, and probability emphasis of programs.
execute, and manage scopes, schedules, and budgets to meet and statistics to analyze risk in a complex civil engineering problem. • Leads programs of moderate complexity and scope or leads a
project stakeholder needs. major project.
• Analyzes complex problems across specialty areas appropriate to
the practice of civil engineering.
• Analyzes ethical dilemmas to determine appropriate courses of
action.

technical • Designs a complete project, system, component, or process. • Develops and reviews complete project documents for conformity and • Serves as the technical advisor for the organization in the applica-
• Prepares complete plans, specifications, and other project quality assurance. tion of advanced concepts and methods in an assigned area.
responsibilities documents. • Typically, in responsible charge of projects. • Keeps informed of new developments and requirements affecting
• Designs and conducts investigations. • Keeps informed of updates to standards, regulations, and best the organization for the purpose of recommending changes in
• Analyzes and interprets test data. practices. programs or applications.
• Analyzes complex civil engineering projects to determine design require- • Develops new techniques and/or improved processes, materials, o r
ments, uncertainties, and constraints. products.
• Acknowledges and applies concepts of sustainability to civil engineering • Values and analyzes sustainable performance of complex civil
projects. engineering projects from a systems perspective.

program, • Assigns tasks to and directs other technical and non-technical • Develops workplans with resource-loaded schedules, scopes, and • Supervises a staff of engineers and technicians.
staff. budgets. • Plans, schedules, and coordinates the preparation of documents or
project, • Plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the engineering work. • Performs basic schedule analysis and assessment of project risks. activities for multiple major projects, or is responsible for an entire
and task • Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments. • Supervises all staff necessary to complete assignments. program of an organization.
• Assists with proposals to provide professional services or obtain • Reviews and approves scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments. • Analyzes project management plans for complex civil engineering
management funding for engineering projects or programs. • Prepares proposals to provide professional services or obtain funding projects.
for engineering projects/programs. • Understands project delivery uncertainties and uses risk manage-
ment principles to address them.
• Reviews operational procedures to ensure compliance with
applicable policies and performance measures.

management, • Receives general direction on key objectives. • Receives supervision and guidance relating to overall objectives, critical • Receives administrative supervision with assignments given in
• Receives guidance, when necessary, on unconventional/complex issues, new concepts, and policy matters. terms of broad general objectives and limits.
supervision, problems, direction on modified techniques, and new approaches • Receives direction on unusual conditions and developments. • Provides continued mentored experience to senior staff.
and guidance on assignments with conflicting criteria. • Provides mentored experience to direct reports and other engineers. • Integrates professional attitudes relevant to the practice of
• Assists with mentored experience to direct reports and junior • Demonstrates professional attitudes relevant to the practice of civil civil engineering and fosters creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and
staff through providing guidance, explaining professional respon- engineering, including creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and dependability. dependability in staff.
sibilities, and reviewing work products.
• Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of
engineering assignments.

communication, • Communicates effectively to both technical and nontechnical • Possesses advanced oral and written communication skills, including • Applies principles of formal strategic and persuasive communi-
audiences. interpretation of complex technical and contractual language. cations.
teamwork, and • Demonstrates empathy and critical listening skills. • Considers the needs of diverse project stakeholders. • Represents their area of specialty within the organization and
leadership • Leads project meetings and represents the organization in communica- liaises with related individuals and organizations.
tions pertaining to broad aspects of engineering assignments. • Routinely interacts with organizational leaders, clients, officials,
• Analyzes and selects principles of formal communication, effective contractors, and others.
teamwork, and various pathways to developing leadership. • Integrates concepts of effective teamwork and leadership,
• Sustains a diverse and inclusive team culture. including justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and advocates
for application of these concepts.
• Considers social equity and environmental impact of engineering
decisions.

typical titles • Civil Engineer, Associate Engineer, Project Engineer, Resident • Senior Engineer, Project Manager, Associate Professor • Principal Engineer, District Engineer, Engineering Manager,
Engineer, Assistant Professor Professor

experience • 4+ years • 8+ years • 10+ years

education • Bachelor’s Degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.

• Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Engaged in lifelong learning to maintain knowledge of contemporary issues.
• Doctorate for faculty.

licensure and • Professional Engineer, Professional Certification

certification

professional • Member of professional practice organization • Member of professional practice organization.

• Chair of local program or committee. • National board member, or officer.
activities • National technical or policy committee member.
community • Organizes and leads community service programs.
activities

equivalent • GS-11 • GS-12 • GS-13

federal general
schedule (gs)

American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE Guidelines for Engineering Grades, 2022. 2 | ASCE GUIDELINES FOR ENGINEERING GRADES
 ASCE GUIDELINES FOR ENGINEERING GRADES
grade vii grade viii

general • Uses creativity, foresight, and mature judgment to anticipate and solve new problems. • Makes decisions with broad influence on activities of their organizations.
• Makes authoritative decisions and recommendations that impact organizational activities and • Makes authoritative decisions and recommendations that are conclusive and have a
characteristics culture. far-reaching impact on the organization and the industry.
• Sets priorities and reconciles directions from competing interests. • Demonstrates a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning,
• Leads programs with complex features with work performed directly, or by others. organizing, and guiding programs and activities of major consequence.
• Integrates engineering economics and risk analysis into the solutions of complex civil engineering • Provides leadership, and develops and engages others to create a common vision for
problems. their programs and the organization.
• Integrates solutions to complex problems across specialty areas. • Assesses the acceptability of engineering economic analyses and the risks associated
• Demonstrates ethical leadership, behavior, and decision making. with solutions to complex civil engineering problems.
• Evaluates solutions to complex problems that involve multiple specialty areas of civil
engineering.
• Advocates for ethical behavior in the practice of civil engineering and assesses
courses of resolution to ethical dilemmas in complicated situations.

technical • Develops standards and guidelines. • Performs advisory or consulting work for the organization across broad program areas
• Leads a program in the organization in their area of specialization. or within a specialized area with innovative/complex aspects.
responsibilities • Develops appropriate design alternatives for complex civil engineering projects that consider realis- • Assesses practices and requirements to achieve sustainable performance of complex
tic requirements, constraints, community input, permitting, and other regulatory constraints. civil engineering projects from a systems perspective.
• Integrates advanced concepts, including sustainability, to solve complex problems.

program, • Supervises a major organizational segment or several teams. • Leads an entire program of critical importance.
• Recommends facilities, personnel, and funds required to carry out programs. • Develops programs needed for accomplishing the objectives of the organization.
project, • Oversees technical, legal, and financial issues of an entire program. • Evaluates project management plans for complex civil engineering projects.
and task • Integrates these components into a complete project management plan for a complex civil • Develops risk mitigation plans to address project risks.
engineering project. • Evaluates effectiveness of leaders and teams while advancing concepts of justice,
management • Implements effective teamwork, leadership, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles equity, diversity, and inclusion in the solutions of civil engineering problems.
into solutions for engineering problems. • Advocates for teamwork, leadership, diversity, and inclusion within the organization.
• Determines program objectives and requirements.
• Develops organizational policies and procedures.
management, • Receives administrative supervision with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives • Receives general administrative direction from a board of directors or regional council.
and limits. • Develops organizational strategy for staff development through mentored experience,
supervision, • Implements staff development plans within their organizational segment, including technical, continuing education, and self-development.
and guidance management, and leadership skills. • Instills and fosters professional attitudes within the organization.
• Advocates for and establishes professional attitudes within the organization. • Sets organizational policy to develop leadership skills of others, to improve teamwork,
• Evaluates the effectiveness of leaders and teams, and their understanding and application of and to advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion programs.
concepts of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

communication, • Possesses exceptional oral and written communication skills, including negotiation of critical • Negotiates critical and controversial issues with leadership of other organizations.
issues. • Represents their organization at important functions or conferences, including media
teamwork, and • Integrates different forms of effective and persuasive communication to technical and nontechnical interviews as required.
leadership audiences. • Leads conversations that shape public, environmental, and infrastructure policy.
• Demonstrates financial acumen and familiarity with legal issues related to engineering practice. • Champions justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization and the
• Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key engineers and officials, or other organizations communities in which they work.
and companies.
• Promotes justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organizational segment.
• Communications are characterized as strategic interactions between stakeholders with mutual
awareness and interests.

typical titles • Director, Program Manager, City Engineer, County Engineer, Division Engineer, Department Head, • Bureau Engineer, Director of Public Works, Dean, President
Vice President

experience • 15+ years • 20+ years

education • Bachelor’s Degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.

• Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Engaged in lifelong learning to maintain knowledge of contemporary issues.
• Doctorate for faculty
licensure and • Professional Engineer, Specialty Certification
certification

professional • Member of professional practice organization, national board member, or officer. • Member of professional practice organization.
• Recognized expert on statewide activity. • Recognized expert on national activity or spokesperson for the profession.
activities • Resource for national activities and organizations.
community • Serves on local planning or policy boards. • Serves on state or national boards.
activities

equivalent • GS-14 • GS-15, Senior Executive Service (SES)

federal general
schedule (gs)

American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE Guidelines for Engineering Grades, 2022. 3 | ASCE GUIDELINES FOR ENGINEERING GRADES