Civil CAD Designer

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16266
Department: Engineering Department
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Central


Position Description
Position Overview:

The Design Services and Public Works Support (DSPWS) group is a multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects, landscape architects, and designers that provides design and construction support services for Harris County roadway and park design and construction projects. The Civil CAD Designer will provide AutoCAD Civil 3D support for all phases of civil and multidisciplinary drawings, producing complete sets of conceptual plans, preliminary plans, and final construction plans for Harris County projects. Work will include performing markups, preparing figures, and drawing sets. Projects may include Civil/Site, Structural, Architectural, Environmental drafting, and other utility designs.


Job Duties:

• Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D to create engineering construction documents, including grading, alignments, profiles, surfaces, corridors, and pipe networks, plan production, etc.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical and professional deliverables by following In-House CAD standards and project examples for drawing setup, scaling, labeling, dimensioning, and plotting.
• Make required changes, additions, and/or revisions to existing CAD drawings.
• Ability to work closely with the design team, engineers, and administrators with minimal supervision
• Assist office staff in the use of AutoCAD software, including troubleshooting of CAO issues.
• Performs checking procedures and assists in training APMs and interns.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email

Requirements
Education

• Associates or equivalent technical degrees or certificates of completion from an accredited designer/drafter course (or equivalent).

Or

Experience:

• 5+ years of CADD production experience utilizing AutoCAD Civil 3D software for civil design projects, including survey, roadway and parks design, civil development, infrastructure, grading, and utilities design
• Proficiency using Adobe Pro, Bluebeam Revu, Excel, and Word software.
• Must have experience preparing plan views and profile views, cutting cross-sections, grading, and calculating volumes.
• Must be team-focused, independent, and be able to complete tasks and projects from management in a timely manner.
• Must be dedicated to producing work that is consistent with that of the existing team of designers based on the use of Harris County Civil3D Templates, example project files, and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Exceptional personal organizational skills, ability to identify and prioritize assigned tasks independently with minimal oversight.
• Strong working proficiency with Civil 3D and AutoCAD.
• Ability to exercise flexibility in accommodating shifting priorities, demands, and schedules.
• Valid Texas driver's license upon hire.

Interview/Assessment:

• This position will have an assessment as part of the interview process.
• Must attend in office interview and take a 1-hour Civil 3D CAD test on interview day for evaluation

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement:
In accordance with Harris County's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols.
The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
  Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences
Education

• N/A

Experience:

• 10+ years of work experience in civil drafting using Civil3D
• Background knowledge of the civil discipline.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Use of CECOP, Google Earth, and geolocation application.
• Experience with Photoshop, Microsoft PowerPoint, and other similar software packages.

General Information
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:
Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.
Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary : Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure :

Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event). This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 lbs., as well as frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS :

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Wellness.

Professional development opportunities.

Flexible spending accounts.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Retirement pension (TCDRS).

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01


What is your highest level of education as it relates to this position?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Technical Certificate (CAD/Drafting or related)
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• None of the above

02


How many years of CADD production experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D for civil design projects (such as survey, roadway, parks, utilities, or infrastructure) do you have?

• No experience
• 1 - 2 Years
• 3 - 4 Years
• 5 - 6 Years
• 6+ Years

03


How many infrastructure plan sets have you designed? Please attach the CAD files along with the application for review.
04


This position requires in-office work five days a week. Is this feasible for you?
05


How many plan sets have you worked on simultaneously? Roughly how many total sheets were in each one?
06


What is one feature you wish they would add to Civil 3D and why it would help your everyday workflow?
07


A 1-hour Civil 3D CAD test will be conducted on interview day for evaluation. Will you be available for the screening?

• Yes
• No

Required Question