Drafters

Drafters typically perform the following tasks: • Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices. • Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes. • Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans. • Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs. • Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures. • Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software. • Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters. • Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing. • Finish and duplicate drawings and documentation packages according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods. • Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data. • Correlate, interpret, and modify data obtained from topographical surveys, well logs, and geophysical prospecting reports. • Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to lists of materials. • Determine procedures and instructions to be followed, according to design specifications and quantity of required materials. • Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections, or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings. • Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary. • Obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary. • Determine quality, cost, strength, and quantity of required materials, and enter figures on materials lists. • Locate and identify symbols on topographical surveys to denote geological and geophysical formations or oil field installations. • Create freehand drawings and lettering to accompany drawings. • Calculate excavation tonnage and prepare graphs and fill-hauling diagrams for use in earth-moving operations.