GUIDELINES for ENGINEERING LEVELS

Level I

Level II

Level III

Level IV

Level V

Level VI

Level VII

General
Characteristics

Acquires limited knowledge and

develops basic skills.
Applies prescribed techniques
and procedures in accordance
with established criteria to
perform assigned tasks.
Performs routine technical work
which does not require previous
experience.
Acquires an understanding of
professional and ethical
responsibilities

Acquires basic knowledge and

develops skills in a specific
practice area.
Applies standard techniques,
procedures, and criteria to
perform assigned tasks as part
of a broader assignment.
Exercises limited judgment on
details of work and in application
of standard methods for
conventional work.

Develops broad knowledge and skills in a

specific practice area.
Evaluates, selects, and applies standard
techniques, procedures, and criteria to perform
a task or sequence of tasks for conventional
projects with few complex features.
Collaboratively uses judgment to determine
adaptations in methods for non-routine aspects
of assignments.
Works on small projects or portions of larger
projects.

Applies broad knowledge of principles and

Independently applies extensive and
Applies a thorough knowledge of current
practices in a specific practice area.
diversified knowledge of principles and
principles and practices of engineering as
practices in broad areas of assignments
related to the variety of aspects affecting
Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts
and related fields.
their organization.
standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
Uses advanced techniques in the
Applies knowledge and expertise acquired
Acquires general knowledge of principles and
modification or extension of theories and
through progressive experience to resolve
practices of related fields, and ability to function
practices of sciences and disciplines to
crucial issues and/or unique conditions.
on multi-disciplinary teams.
complete assignments.
Keeps informed of new methods and
Works on multiple projects of moderate size or
Works on a major project or several
developments affecting their organization,
portions of major projects.
projects of moderate scope with
and recommends new practices or changes
complex features.
in emphasis of programs.
Works on programs of limited complexity
and scope.

Technical
Responsibilities

Collects data and gathers

information or documents.
Performs standard computations
or analysis.
Prepares drawings and visual
aids.
Observes construction activities.
Performs basic survey work.

Performs basic design tasks.

Assists on other tasks such as:
preparation of permit
applications, material testing,
and CADD work.

Designs a complete project, system,

component, or process.
Prepares complete project documents.
Designs and conducts experiments, and
analyzes and interprets data.
Formulates and solves problems.

Managerial
Responsibilities

No managerial responsibilities at
this level.

Assigns tasks to and

coordinates with technicians or
administrative staff.

Assigns tasks to and coordinates work with

entry-level engineers, technicians, or
administrative staff.
Assists in determining schedule and budget
requirements.

Performs moderate design tasks.

Prepares portions of project documents.
Edits specifications.
Performs research and investigations.

Assigns tasks to and directs engineers,

technicians and administrative staff.
Plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the
engineering work.
Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for
assignments.
Assists with proposals to provide professional
services or obtain funding for engineering
projects or programs.
Direction Received Receives close supervision on all Receives close supervision on
Receives instruction on specific objectives.
Receives general direction on key objectives.
aspects of assignments.
unusual or difficult problems, and Receives direction on unconventional and/or
Receives guidance when necessary on
general review of all aspects of
complex problems, and possible solutions.
unconventional or complex problems, direction
work.
on modified techniques, and new approaches
Receives a thorough review of completed work
on assignments with conflicting criteria.
for application of sound professional judgment.

Uses creativity, foresight, and mature judgment

in anticipating and solving unprecedented
problems.
Makes decisions and recommendations that are
authoritative and have an important impact on
extensive organizational activities.
Sets priorities and reconciles directions from
competing interests
Works on programs with complex features.

Reviews complete project documents for Serves as the technical specialist for the
Develops standards and guidelines.
conformity and quality assurance.
organization in the application of advanced Leads the organization in a broad area of
concepts, principles, and methods in an
Develops new techniques and/or
specialization or in narrow but intensely
assigned area.
improved processes, materials, or
specialized field.
products.
Keeps informed of new developments and
requirements affecting the organization for
Assists upper level management and
the purpose of recommending changes in
staff as a technical specialist or advisor.
programs or applications.
Interprets, organizes, executes and
coordinates assignments.

Performs advisory or consulting work for the

organization for broad program areas or an
intensely specialized area with innovative or
important aspects.

Supervises all staff necessary to

Supervises a staff of engineers and
complete assignments.
technicians.
Reviews and approves scopes, budgets, Plans, schedules, or coordinates the
and schedules for assignments.
preparation of documents or activities for
multiple major projects, or is responsible for
Prepares proposals to provide
an entire program of an organization.
professional services or obtain funding
for engineering projects or programs.
Reviews operational procedures to insure
compliance with applicable policies and
performance measures.
Receives supervision and guidance
Receives administrative supervision with
relating to overall objectives, critical
assignments given in terms of broad
issues, new concepts, and policy
general objectives and limits.
matters.
Receives direction on unusual
conditions and developments.
Possesses advanced oral and written
Routinely interacts with clients, customers,
communication skills.
officials, contractors, and others.
Represents the organization in
Leads project meetings and makes
communications and conferences
presentations.
pertaining to broad aspects of
Represents the organization and maintains
engineering assignments.
liaison with individuals and related
organizations.

Supervises several organizational segments or

teams.
Recommends facilities, personnel, and funds
required to carry out programs
Oversees the technical, legal, and financial
issues of an entire program.
Determines program objectives and
requirements.
Develops standards and guidelines.
Receives administrative supervision with
assignments given in terms of broad general
objectives and limits.

Leads an entire program of critical

importance.
Decides the kind and extent of engineering
and related programs needed for
accomplishing the objectives of an
organization.

Possesses exceptional oral and written

communication skills.
Routinely interacts with organization leaders,
clients, customers, officials, contractors, and
others.
Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with
key engineers and officials or other
organizations and companies and is skilled in
persuasion and negotiation of critical issues.
Director, Program Manager, City Engineer,
County Engineer, Division Engineer,
Department Head, Vice President
15+ years

Negotiates critical and controversial issues

with top-level engineers and officers of other
organizations and companies.
Conducts presentations and may participate
in media interviews.
Represents their organization at important
functions or conferences, including media
interviews as required.

Communication
Skills

Possesses basic oral and written Interacts with staff, general

Possesses effective oral and written
Interacts with clients, customers, officials,
communication skills.
public, officials, and contractors.
communication skills.
contractors, and others.
Interacts with other staff.
Assists with client, customer, or official contacts Attends project meetings and presents specific
and communication pertaining to specific
aspects of engineering assignment.
assignments or meetings.

Typical Titles

Engineer in Training, Engineering Intern, Assistant Engineer, Junior Engineer, Staff Engineer, Engineering Instructor

Experience

0+ years

Education

Bachelors Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program.

Bachelors Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program. Masters degree or Equivalent. Engaged in life-long learning to maintain knowledge of contemporary issues.
Doctorate for faculty.

Licensure and
Certification

Engineer in Training, Engineering Intern

Professional Engineer

Professional
Activities

Member of professional practice organization.

Community
Activities

Involved in outreach activities with community service organizations.

Equivalent Federal
General Schedule

GS-5

1+ years

GS-7

3+ years

Member of professional practice organization, member of local

program or committee.

Civil Engineer, Associate Engineer,

Project Engineer, Resident Engineer,
Assistant Professor
4+ years

Member of professional practice organization,

chair of local program or committee.

Senior Engineer, Project Manager,

Associate Professor

Principal Engineer, District Engineer,

Engineering Manager, Professor

8+ years

10+ years

GS-11

Receives general administrative direction

from a board of directors or regional council.

Bureau Engineer, Director of Public Works,

Dean, President
20+ years

Professional Engineer, Specialty Certification

Member of professional practice organization, national Board member or officer, national
technical or policy committee member.

Organizes and leads community service programs.

GS-9

Level VIII
Makes decisions with broad influence on the
activities of their organizations.
Makes authoritative decisions and
recommendations that are conclusive, and
have a far-reaching impact on the
organization.
Demonstrates a high degree of creativity,
foresight, and mature judgment in planning,
organizing and guiding extensive programs
and activities of major consequence.

Member of professional practice organization,

national Board member or officer. Recognized
expert on statewide activity. Resource for national
activities and organization.

Serves on local planning or policy boards.

GS-12

GS-13

GS-14

Member of professional practice organization.

Recognized expert on national activity or
spokesperson for the profession.
Serves on state or national boards.

GS-15, Senior Executive Service (SES)