Beamter/Beamtin in der Wasser- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung (gehobener technischer Dienst)

Learning locations include: The Training and Further Education Center of the Water and Shipping Administration (classrooms), and, if completing an engineering Bachelor's degree (Studium) with integrated career training, cooperating universities (lecture halls, seminar and exercise rooms, libraries). Also, the Directorate General for Waterways and Shipping (with its external offices), subordinate Water and Shipping Offices (offices, workshops, construction yards, field service for on-site appointments at hydraulic structures).

Amendments to the Federal Career Ordinance came into force on March 17, 2026. They open up demand-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is the equalization of vocational and academic education. For example, access to the higher technical administrative service and the higher scientific service is now also possible for individuals with vocational further training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional.

Occupation type: Civil servant training (Beamtenausbildung). Type of training: Preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), regulated by federal ordinances. Duration of preparatory service: 1 year or 3.75 years (depending on prior education). Minimum requirement for admission to preparatory service: Higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). Learning locations: Offices and the Training and Further Education Center of the Water and Shipping Administration, possibly universities (Hochschulen). Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher technical service of the Water and Shipping Administration design new hydraulic structures in the field of civil engineering and plan their construction, or ensure the maintenance of existing hydraulic structures. They prepare plans and models for new construction and expansion measures, create performance catalogs, compare offers, and manage or supervise construction activities. In the field of mechanical engineering, they develop, design, and build drives and control systems, for example, for lock systems. They perform calculations, plan and organize manufacturing, and supervise.

1 year (for access with a Bachelor's degree). Note: An engineering Bachelor's degree (Studium) with integrated career training lasts 3 years and 9 months.

Structure of the preparatory service in the higher technical service of the Federal Water and Shipping Administration, using the example of civil engineering: Section 1: Internship in a Water and Shipping Office (4 weeks). Section 2: Internship in a Water and Shipping Office (16 weeks). Section 3: Internship in an external district (12 weeks). Section 4: Internship in the Directorate General for Waterways and Shipping with its external offices (6 weeks). Section 5: Courses at the Training and Further Education Center of the Water and Shipping Administration in Hanover (8 weeks). Career examination. Total duration of preparatory service (including vacation entitlement): 1 year.

No course fees or tuition fees are charged. Travel costs or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.

Theoretical and practical training (Ausbildung) contents vary depending on the specialization, for example: organization, internal services, budget and human resources, operation and maintenance of waterways as well as facilities, equipment and vehicles, civil engineering, shipping, real estate, surveying, mechanical engineering, electrical, communication, information technology, shipbuilding, marine engineering, leadership and supervision in construction and maintenance, departmental tasks. In the case of an engineering bachelor's (Studium) degree with integrated career training, the contents are determined by the university's study and examination regulations.

The following conditions and requirements should be anticipated: During the theoretical training (Ausbildung) phases: courses involve attending training courses at the Water and Shipping Administration's Training and Further Education Center (or additionally attending lectures and seminars in the lecture halls and seminar rooms of the university if pursuing an engineering bachelor's (Studium) degree with integrated career training). Independent work includes tasks such as preparing and reviewing course material, researching in libraries, and preparing performance assessments. Organization requires adhering to specified deadlines for presentations and homework. During the practical training (Ausbildung) phases: practical participation under guidance involves tasks such as handling administrative duties and assisting in the planning of hydraulic structures. Key qualifications aim to enhance problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.

The monthly gross basic salary for trainees is 1,744 Euros. Source: Federal Salary Act (Bundesbesoldungsgesetz - BBesG). In addition to the basic salary, trainee emoluments include capital-forming benefits, and potentially family allowances and other supplements, remunerations, and bonuses.

Training (Ausbildung) is possible with the following undergraduate (grundständig) degrees: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Shipbuilding and Ocean Technology.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas are good prerequisites for a successful preparatory service: Management/Organization: For example, to achieve good results in the subject areas of organization, internal services, and budgeting, and to efficiently organize the administration of a water and shipping office in professional life. Employee Leadership and Guidance: For example, since human resources is a component of the preparatory service, and knowledge of leadership tools (e.g., goal setting and feedback) is indispensable for successful department or office management.

The following alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant (Beamter/Beamtin) in the higher technical service of the Water and Shipping Administration: Area of Law and Administration: Civil servant in the higher civil engineering service, civil servant in the railway sector (higher technical service), civil servant in the Federal Defense Administration (higher technical service). Commonality: Performing auditing and controlling tasks. Area of Architecture and Civil Engineering: Civil Engineering (undergraduate), Civil Engineering (postgraduate). Commonality: Performing tasks in construction planning and management. Area of Development, Construction, and CAD: Mechanical Engineering (undergraduate), Mechanical Engineering (postgraduate), Shipbuilding and Ocean Technology (undergraduate), Shipbuilding and Ocean Technology (postgraduate), Electrical Engineering (undergraduate), Electrical Engineering (postgraduate), Information and Communication Technology (undergraduate), Information and Communication Technology (postgraduate). Commonality: Managing and supervising the construction of machines and facilities.

Before 1999, career qualification was obtained through a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), with a university degree (Studienabschluss) as an entry requirement. In 1999, the Bologna Process began, reforming the European higher education landscape with goals such as creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing study programs and degrees (introducing Bachelor and Master programs), and improving student and lecturer mobility. In 2012, the new regulation for the higher technical administrative service in the Federal Water and Shipping Administration came into force. Career qualification is now acquired through a Bachelor's degree program (Bachelorstudium) with integrated career training (Laufbahnausbildung).

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the higher technical service of the Water and Shipping Administration is conducted as a one-year preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst). It is regulated by federal ordinances and concludes with a career examination (Laufbahnprüfung). Typically, at least a Bachelor's degree (Bachelorstudium) is required. Note: Career qualification for the higher technical service of the Water and Shipping Administration can also be acquired during a suitable engineering Bachelor's degree program (ingenieurwissenschaftliches Bachelorstudium) if the university cooperates with the Federal Water and Shipping Administration. In this case, the career training (Laufbahnausbildung) is completed parallel to the Bachelor's degree program.

Career title: Civil Servant - Administrative Service in the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (higher technical service). After successfully completing a Bachelor's degree program (Bachelorstudium) with integrated career training (Laufbahnausbildung), the academic degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) is awarded in addition to the career qualification. The responsible authority determines whether the career is offered as an Ausbildung (vocational training).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), civil servants in the higher technical service of the Water and Shipping Administration work in the service units of the Federal Water and Shipping Administration, for example, in the Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping with its external offices or the subordinate Water and Shipping Offices. They can keep their specialized knowledge up-to-date through adaptive further training (Anpassungsweiterbildung). The range of topics extends from hydraulic engineering to ship traffic. With appropriate suitability, civil servants in the higher technical service of the Water and Shipping Administration have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Furthermore, advanced Studium (further studies) can also be considered. For example, obtaining a Master's degree in civil engineering is a logical option.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) is offered in the following specializations: Civil Engineering, Shipbuilding, Communications, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

Ordinance on the Preparatory Service for the Higher Technical Administrative Service in the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (GtDWSVVDV) of 14.12.2012 (BGBl. I p. 2974), last amended by Article 26 of the Act of 29.03.2017 (BGBl. I p. 626).

The prerequisite for this vocational training (Ausbildung) is generally a successfully completed bachelor's degree (Bachelorstudium) or an equivalent university degree. Fields of study such as civil engineering or mechanical engineering may be suitable depending on the specialization. Those who can demonstrate the admission requirements for a university cooperating with the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (Wasser- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes) can be admitted to an engineering bachelor's degree (Bachelorstudium) program with integrated career training. Furthermore, for access to the preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), a maximum age of usually 50 years and a class B driver's license are required.