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Geospatial Information Scientists & Technologists

What they do:
Research or develop geospatial technologies. May produce databases, perform applications programming, or coordinate projects. May specialize in areas such as agriculture, mining, health care, retail trade, urban planning, or military intelligence.
On the job, you would:
  • Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
  • Coordinate the development or administration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) projects, including the development of technical priorities, client reporting and interface, or coordination and review of schedules and budgets.
  • Provide technical expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to clients or users.

Knowledge

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

Skills

Basic Skills
  • reading work related information
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

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

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
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Cooperation

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • National Land Cover Database NLCD
  • State Soil Geographic STATSGO Database
Analytical or scientific software
  • SAS software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
Object or component oriented development software
  • Microsoft Visual C#
  • Python

Education

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

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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 geospatial information scientists and technologists.