Freelance Computer Aided Design Drafter Jobs in Reno, NV

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued.  We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Water and Wastewater

Join our team and help shape reliable, efficient water and wastewater systems that make a difference in communities. We take a comprehensive, cost-effective approach to every project, maximizing value while delivering long-lasting solutions. For drinking water systems, we prioritize consistent pressure, exceptional water quality, and straightforward maintenance. Our philosophy on wastewater? The best systems are the ones you don’t notice, quietly performing day after day, only visible during routine maintenance or upgrades. If you’re passionate about smart infrastructure and practical innovation, we invite you to be a part of our team, the People Who Make it Happen!!

The Senior CAD Drafter is responsible for efficiently performing advanced drafting services using CAD software and Civil3D for a variety of complex civil engineering, permitting, and survey related tasks. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, strong organizational skills, and excellent judgment. A Senior CAD Drafter 1 should demonstrate a highly advanced level drafting proficiency and be able to mentor other with less experience. A draft-person is expected to work well with others, provide constructive feedback to those with less experience, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Proficient
• Bluebeam Revu - Advanced Proficiency
• Revit and/or other BIM software Advanced Proficiency - Preferred
• OpenRoads Advanced Proficiency - Preferred
• Advanced Proficiency in one or both major civil engineering CAD Platforms (Autodesk and Civil 3D; or Microstation)

• Mastery of technical fundamentals
• Highly efficient at providing drafting solutions to the most complex challenges and guides others towards the same
• Works with market sector leaders to advance drafting skills within the team

Technical leader/mentor on large/complex projects. Has excellent communication skills, answers questions from those with less experience, and takes action based on the needs of the team. Follows established practice area workflows and create and implement workflow improvements.

• Leads the production of and provides quality control for the following:
  • Plan sheets
  • Exhibits
• Back checks all redlines and instructions have been incorporated
• Reviews all assigned deliverables for consistency
• Compiles, updates, and reviews milestone submittal plan sets
• Provides senior review of submittal plans

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Mentor others on above. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget.

• Expertly applies the following drafting standards with advanced skill:
  • Drafting fundamentals
  • CAD standards for DOWL and DOWL clients (e.g., Cities, Counties, States, Federal)
  • Accurately interpreting redlines and updating CAD drawings and details
  • Creating new sheets for projects and keeping work product organized in multiple layered files (e.g., xrefs)
• Understands client drafting preferences and requirements
• Understands when deviation from drafting standards is appropriate
• Actively mentor others on interpreting drafting standards
• Stays current on innovative practices and implement workflow adjustments to incorporate evolving best practices

Frequent direct communications with clients on large/complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Engages as industry expert on complex projects and pursuits. Leads technical aspects of project interviews. Mentors others on above.

Other duties as assigned.

Efficiently performs the most complex and demanding drafting work without supervision. Reviews the work of others and mentors others on complex project tasks. May provide design guidance to designers.

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

• Associate's Degree preferred
• Years of experience required: 15 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 14 years

• Autodesk/Bentley certifications preferred
• Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to create and interpret graphs and understand statistical analysis.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Geographical locations are taken into consideration with respect to compensation.