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Geographic Information Systems Technicians

Also called: Geographic Information Systems Analyst (GIS Analyst), Geographic Information Systems Specialist (GIS Specialist), Geographic Information Systems Technician (GIS Technician), Cartographer

What they do:
Assist scientists, technologists, or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.
On the job, you would:
  • Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
  • Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to identify spatial relationships or display results of analyses, using maps, graphs, or tabular data.
  • Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
  • design
Math and Science
  • geography
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Business
  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Ideas and Logic
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems
Verbal
  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking
Math
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Visual Understanding
  • see hidden patterns

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Independence
  • Attention to Detail
  • Innovation
  • Initiative
  • Integrity

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Structured query language SQL
Map creation software
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • ESRI ArcView
Development environment software
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
  • Microsoft Visual Studio

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$79,930
per year, on average
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Green
This work is part of the green economy.

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about geographic information systems technicians.