Approved by the Engineering Practice Policy Committee on April 30, 2026
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on June 3, 2026
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 21, 2026

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports the establishment of personnel practices, policies, and career packages in government agencies that will attract, develop, and retain engineers who can perform at a high level of service in the public interest. These practices, policies, and packages should include: 

  • Competitive total compensation (wages and benefits). 
  • Career advancement based on merit. 
  • Civil engineering advancements of responsible charge in a career ladder.
  • Consistent civil service examination scheduling, standardization, and modernization, where jurisdictional civil service examinations are required.
  • Professional development career ladders for technologists, technical experts, and managers. 
  • Support for professional licensure and development through involvement in technical and professional societies.
  • Support for continuing professional competency and life-long learning through continuing education.
  • Providing mentoring, internships, and cooperative engineering opportunities in partnership with schools and universities. 
  • Support and encouragement for technologists and technicians.

Issue

Public sector organizations strive to promote public service responsibilities in the management, implementation and protection of resources and infrastructure for public health, safety, and welfare. Public confidence and recognition of civil engineering competence and credibility in public sector organizations is an important aspect of this responsibility. Through recognition of these responsibilities and effective training, recruitment, compensation, and professional development programs, civil engineers can continue to provide public organizations with their strength and vitality. 

Governments have been inconsistent with encouraging continuing development of civil engineering competency and credibility, which also fostered through peer participation in professional societies, and continuing education. In addition, governments have been inconsistent with providing mentoring, internships, or cooperative engineering opportunities with schools, colleges, or universities. This inconsistency has caused missed opportunities to have civil engineers develop new skills, competencies, and ideas, and miss hiring newer civil engineers to fill positions needed in government service.

Rationale

The lack of professional grade status and associated compensation for qualified engineers employed in many government agencies has been a disincentive for attracting and retaining engineering professionals in the public sector. Many of these positions are now being filled by individuals having little or no formal engineering, scientific, or technical training. 

Ultimately, the quality of the public infrastructure and the successful prosecution of infrastructure projects which these agencies oversee could be adversely affected. This could undermine public trust and respect for the affected government agencies. Total compensation package should be competitive with the private sector to create a hiring influx and keep a high retention rate. This will maintain public infrastructure and the successful execution of infrastructure projects without risking the public’s health, safety, and welfare at risk, and reinforce the public’s confidence and credibility of the government’s responsibilities.

Although ASCE does not take a specific stance on the requirements and administration of civil service examinations, ASCE does encourage that jurisdictions requiring civil service examinations adopt policies and practices of consistent examination scheduling, exam standardization as determined by said jurisdiction, and exam modernization. This enables civil engineers in these jurisdictions to fill vacancies or be promoted in government service with minimal delay.

ASCE Policy Statement 386
First Approved in 1991

Other ASCE Policies that relate to Recruitment and Retention of Qualified Engineers for Government Service
PS 101- Appointment of engineers to policy positions in government
PS 130 - Professional Licensure of Engineers
PS 140 - Civil Engineering Education: a Shared Responsibility
PS 385 – Licensure Requirements for Government Engineers
PS 416 - Government Engineering Management Positions