Selecting a Civil Engineer

• Choosing a Civil Engineer is one of the most crucial decisions in developing an engineering project
• Each Civil Engineer has their unique training, experience, skills, team dynamics, workloads, and specific expertise
• Selecting a Civil Engineer requires evaluating several factors to ensure their qualifications and suitability for a project

Verifying Licenses and Certifications

• Confirm that the engineer holds a valid Civil Engineer license in the Philippines
• Check their Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) license on the PRC website
• For larger projects, ensure engineers are a member of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)

Evaluate Experience and Expertise

• Determine the specific type of civil engineer required for the project:
• Structural Engineer focuses on buildings, bridges, and load-bearing structures
• Geotechnical Engineer specializes in foundations and soil-related projects
• Transportation Engineer concentrates on roads, highways, and traffic management
• Construction Manager is responsible for overseeing project execution
• Request examples of previous projects and portfolios

Assessing Work History and Reputation

• Request references from their previous clients
• Research testimonials and online reviews
• Investigate a company's performance and history if engaging with a firm

Compliance and Permits

• Engineers should have knowledge of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) and other pertinent regulations
• They should be well-versed in local government requirements and permits

Quotations and Comparisons

• Solicit several quotations from different firms and engineers
• Evaluate the costs, timeline, quality, and scope of work

Contracts and Agreements

• Ensure a written contract that includes the project scope, timeline, deliverables, payment terms, liability, and warranties

Employment of Civil Engineers

• Guidelines refer to Civil Engineers employed by firms, government agencies, construction/manufacturing/commercial/education entities

Employment/Selection Basis

• Clients must establish clear selection policies and criteria
• The first step is to define requirements and project scope
• Selection is based on the engineer's ability to maintain a financial stability, and professional and ethical reputation
• Engineers must be licensed and registered, and have qualified staff and technical qualification/expertise

Employment for Civil Engineer Contingency Basis

• Under The PICE Code of Ethics or Canon 5c, professional commission requests can be proposed or accepted on a contingency basis with uncompromised professional judgement

Agreements for Contingency Employment

• Contingency Employment Agreements are used for a variety of purposes and time frames, and may or may not lead to permanent employment

Expectations of Agreements

• Contracts typically cover job descriptions, duration, pay rate, noncompetition, management rights, confidentiality, and termination conditions
• A contract can be renewed, extended, or transferred into a permanent position

Types of Workers

• Contingent employment is most prevalent in the high-tech and high-wage information technology sectors, such as the software industry
• Workers classified within these contracts will normally complete their work within a certain time frame

Contract Consideration

• Workers are not permanent employees in contingency contracts
• Employers have the option to hire workers as permanent employees
• Workers may start under these contracts and be hired later

Scope of work

• Work doesn't extend beyond the work outlined in the contract
• The tasks detailed in the contract are what the worker should complete
• The contract is considered complete, which would eliminate all positions once all tasks are finished

Employment Conditions

• All relevant permits such as zoning authorizations, environmental clearances, and construction licenses have been secured from governmental bodies before an engineer's employment begins
• Employment will begin ( or continue) only if the necessary project expenses are available to cover
• When a specified work or phase is completed, the contracts automatically expire unless renewed for the next phase
• Continued employment depends on meeting certain Key Performance Indicators, such as staying within budget, adhering to safety standards, or meeting project deadlines

Key Importance

• To minimize operational and financial risks
• Allows employers to be flexible, while giving engineers clarity and certainty about contracts and job standards

Choosing a civil engineer is vital for project success. Verify credentials and experience, especially in areas like structural design or road construction. Knowledge of the National Building Code is also key.