Unit Group (L4) β€’ 2151

2151 β€” Civil Engineers

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L4 CODE: 2151
2 PROFESSIONALS β†’ 21 Science and Engineering Professionals β†’ 215 Engineering Professionals (Excluding Electro technology)
Summary
Civil Engineers (KeSCO 2151) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Science, Engineering & Built EnvironmentProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Civil Engineers (KeSCO 2151) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
  • Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
  • Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
  • Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
  • Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
  • Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
  • Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
  • Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
  • Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
  • Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
  • Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
  • Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
  • Use of hand and power tools safely
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
  • Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
  • Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Quality control and workmanship standards
  • Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
  • Workplace safety and PPE usage
  • Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
  • Material handling and storage
  • Site readiness and task planning
  • Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
  • Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
  • Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
  • First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
  • Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
  • Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
  • Professional registration/licensing where regulated
  • Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
  • Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
  • Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Senior level
KES 250,000+
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
  • Entry/Intern β†’ Junior Practitioner β†’ Mid-level β†’ Senior Specialist
  • Senior Specialist β†’ Team Lead/Principal β†’ Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
  • Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2151-22 β€” Bridge Construction Engineer
Bridge Construction Engineer is responsible for develop cost effective design solutions and prepare drawings, schedules and documents to support the bridge construction produce structural analysis calculations or inspection and assessment for bridge or highway retaining wall structures within their professional field.
2151-34 β€” Building and Quality Engineer
2151-11 β€” Civil Engineer
Civil Engineer is responsible for design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment; conduct research, advice on design, direct construction, manage the operation and maintenance of civil engineering structures, or study and advise on technological aspects of particular materials within their professional field.
2151-13 β€” Engineer, construction
Engineer, construction is responsible for oversee the design and building process of construction projects design infrastructure systems, such as roads, dams, water supply systems and buildings within their professional field.
2151-26 β€” Engineer, dams
Hydraulic Engineer is responsible for design and test hydraulic systems forecast the defects on equipment, including wear and tear and degradation; use computer aided design (cad) software to create blueprints for water control facilities within their professional field.
2151-15 β€” Engineer, highways
Engineer, highways is responsible for plan, design and supervise projects that keep road networks working efficiently; design local road schemes and maintaining the road network, including structures such as bridges within their professional field.
2151-27 β€” Engineer, hydraulic
Engineer, pipeline is responsible for design and construct pipe systems for transporting a variety of substances such as gas and oil; perform site surveys, develop designs for pipeline systems, and construct and install infrastructure for commercial and industrial purposes within their professional field.
2151-16 β€” Engineer, pavement
Engineer, pavement is responsible for evaluate, manage asphalt and concrete pavement systems; determine the pavement layer thicknesses and material composition required based on the traffic load; collect and review data on existing pavements to assess deterioration and remaining service life within their professional field.
2151-28 β€” Engineer, pipeline
Engineer, waterways is responsible for work on projects to ensure water supplies stay clean, properly dispose of wastewater and sewage, and prevent flood damage; design and build structures for water resource control, oversee project construction, monitor technical systems, and analyze technical data within their professional field.
2151-17 β€” Engineer, roads
Engineer, roads is responsible for design local road schemes and maintaining the road network, including structures such as bridges; work with other professionals to build and maintain roads; find new solutions to transport problems within their professional field.
2151-24 β€” Engineer, waste water treatment
Engineer, waste water treatment is responsible for manage the chemical and biological treatment aspects of the wastewater treatment plant to maintain and improve overall plant performance within their professional field.
2151-31 β€” Engineer, waterways
Materials Engineers (Soil Mechanics) is responsible for source, test and assess the materials used in construction; ensure that building foundations and materials are suitable offer guidance on the best materials to use for a project, based on their individual properties, analyze the behaviors of soil and rock proposed structures and design structural foundations within their professional field.
2151-33 β€” Geo technical Engineer
2151-14 β€” Highway, Road and Street Construction Engineer
Highway, Road and Street Construction Engineer is responsible for plan, design, and supervise projects that keep road networks working efficiently; design local road schemes and maintaining the road network, including structures such as bridges within their professional field.
2151-25 β€” Hydraulic Engineer
Engineer, dams is responsible for design and oversee construction, and maintenance of dams within their professional field.
2151-32 β€” Materials Engineers ( Soil Mechanics)
Building and Quality Engineer is responsible for prepare qa/qc plans for new construction and refurbishment work; ensure the establishment of quality procedures including time limits for inspection, sampling and testing of works and other qa/qc requirements oversee and manage quality assessment of materials through regular and rigid laboratory tests within their professional field.
2151-21 β€” Railway Construction Engineer
Railway Construction Engineer is responsible for design, construct, operate and maintain railway transport systems and networks within their professional field.
2151-23 β€” Sanitary Engineer
Sanitary Engineer is responsible for coordinate water, wastewater, and industrial utility operations including rate setting, direct investigative studies, and implement programs in wastewater collection, water production, and water and wastewater treatment focusing on diverse areas such as noise, air, and solid waste pollution control, public health engineering, mass and energy transport, fluid mechanics, and water resource engineering within their professional field.
2151-12 β€” Structural Engineer
Structural Engineer is responsible for design and construct buildings and structures design structures, such as buildings or bridges; create structural models by using computer aided design software; measure loads and pressures caused by environmental or human influence within their professional field.