Career Details
15-1299.02 - Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Assist scientists 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.
Key Facts

Tasks

Core
- Produce data layers, maps, tables, or reports, using spatial analysis procedures or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
- Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
- Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
- Provide technical expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to clients or users.
- Perform computer programming, data analysis, or software development for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, including the maintenance of existing systems or research and development for future enhancements.
- Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data.
- Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
- Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
- Design or coordinate the development of integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial or non-spatial databases.
- Perform integrated or computerized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses to address scientific problems.
- Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
- Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications.
- Collect, compile, or integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, such as remote sensing or cartographic data for inclusion in map manuscripts.
- Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
- Meet with clients to discuss topics such as technical specifications, customized solutions, or operational problems.
- Document, design, code, or test Geographic Information Systems (GIS) models, internet mapping solutions, or other applications.
- Create, analyze, report, convert, or transfer data, using specialized applications program software.
- Confer with users to analyze, configure, or troubleshoot applications.
- Design, program, or model Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications or procedures.
- Develop specialized computer software routines, internet-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, or business applications to customize geographic information.
- Make recommendations regarding upgrades, considering implications of new or revised Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, equipment, or applications.
- Assist users in formulating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) requirements or understanding the implications of alternatives.
- Create visual representations of geospatial data, using complex procedures such as analytical modeling, three-dimensional renderings, or plot creation.
- Transfer or rescale information from original photographs onto maps or other photographs.
- Prepare training materials for, or make presentations to, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users.
Generic
- Conduct research, data analysis, systems design, or support for software such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Global Positioning Systems (GPS) mapping software.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
- Recommend procedures, equipment, or software upgrades to increase data accessibility or ease of use.
Supplemental
- Apply three-dimensional (3D) or four-dimensional (4D) technologies to geospatial data to allow for new or different analyses or applications.
Knowledge

- 94%Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
- 90%Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- 81%Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- 78%Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- 68%Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- 63%Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- 62%Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- 61%Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- 58%Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- 52%Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- 52%Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- 51%Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Tools

- Computer data input scanners
- Digitizers
- Portable data collectors
- Computer laser printers
- Large-format plotters
- Plotters
- Computer servers
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Mainframe computers
- Personal computers
- Digital cameras
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Photocopying equipment
- Light detection and ranging LIDAR systems
- Synthetic aperture radar SAR
- Multi-line telephone systems
Technology

- ADO.NET
- Autodesk Topobase
- Data entry softwareHOT
- dBASE
- ESRI ArcEditor
- Microsoft AccessHOT
- Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
- National Land Cover Database NLCD
- PostgreSQLHOT
- Relational database management softwareHOT
- Relational database management system RDMS
- SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
- Soil Survey Geographic SSURGO
- State Soil Geographic STATSGO Database
- Structured query language SQLHOT
- TableauHOT
- Teradata DatabaseHOT
- Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS
- Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
- Autodesk MapGuide
- C
- C++HOT
- Cascading Style Sheets CSSHOT
- DrupalHOT
- Ext JS
- Extensible markup language XMLHOT
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
- IBM WebSphereHOT
- JavaScriptHOT
- LAMP Stack
- List processing language LISP
- Microsoft .NET FrameworkHOT
- Microsoft ASP.NETHOT
- Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAHOT
- Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScriptHOT
- Microsoft Visual C#
- Microsoft Visual C++
- Microsoft Visual StudioHOT
- Oracle JavaHOT
- Oracle JavaServer Pages JSPHOT
- PHP: Hypertext PreprocessorHOT
- Practical extraction and reporting language PerlHOT
- PythonHOT
- RHOT
- Sun Microsystems Java
- Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffectsHOT
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks
- Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
- Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
- Microsoft ExcelHOT
- Microsoft PowerPointHOT
- Microsoft VisioHOT
- Microsoft WordHOT
- Agronomic modeling software
- Autodesk AutoCADHOT
- Autodesk Land DesktopHOT
- Bentley MicrostationHOT
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADDHOT
- Coordinate geometry COGO software
- ESRI ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst
- ESRI ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
- Hydrological modeling software
- Landmark GeoGraphix
- SASHOT
- The MathWorks MATLABHOT
- CDA International Manifold System
- Email software
- ESRI ArcGIS softwareHOT
- ESRI ArcIMS
- ESRI ArcInfo
- ESRI ArcPad
- ESRI ArcView
- Geographic information system GIS softwareHOT
- Global positioning system GPS software
- ITT Visual Information Solutions ENVI
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- Trimble Pathfinder Office
- ESRI ArcSDE
- Web browser software
- Job control language JCL
- Shell scriptHOT
- UNIXHOT
- Microsoft OfficeHOT
- Microsoft SharePointHOT
Certifications

Licensing

Related Programs

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
The Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Information Technology degree program provides a broad view of various relevlant topics within the field of IT.
The Computer Information Systems (CIS) degree at JMU prepares students for professional careers that require both the business knowledge and the technical skills to help clients design, build and deliver competitive computer-based solutions. Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the technological direction of their organizations and must stay abreast of the latest technology to ensure the organization does not lag behind its competitors.
JMU's CIS program was recognized as one of the top ten undergraduate information technology programs in the United States (TechRepublic, 2008) and is part of the nationally recognized JMU College of Business. Professors in the program use a variety of teaching methods including projects, cases and business simulations to prepare graduates with strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills; effective communication and presentation skills; hands-on experience; and the ability to work effectively in individual and team-oriented environments.
Several features of JMU's CIS program are distinctive:
- Outstanding placement of graduates: the JMU CIS program is viewed as a prime recruiting school by many leading employers throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
- Course work in a variety of specialties.
- Business intelligence
- Business process management
- Computer forensics
- Computer security management
- Information technology consulting
- Information technology project management
- Excellent opportunities for internships and job-related work experience through JMU's Handshake program and an active JMU CIS alumni network of over 3,100 graduates.
- Active student chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP): Students regularly compete in the National Collegiate Conference, network with industry professionals, engage in service-learning projects, and expand their leadership skills by serving as chapter leaders.
The major puts students in the middle of the exploding information revolution where they study technological advances such as object-oriented software, communication networks, multimedia systems, information security and artificial intelligence. Students will learn about computing technologies used by today’s professionals and how to use these technologies to solve real-world problems. Students will learn to analyze problems, design solutions, implement solutions using multiple computing technologies, test and install those solutions, and communicate those solutions to others in written and verbal presentations.
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This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of information technology, for those who are presently in that field and who wish to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in information technology.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This program prepares the student to design and implement traditional/legacy stand-alone and client-server applications using procedural and object-oriented development techniques. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for one of the following industry certifications: MCP-Programming or the Sun Certified Programming for Java 2.
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This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning:Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This program prepares students for entry-level employment in data centers and related industries that require technicians/technologists trained in engineering technology, information technology, fiber optics, electronics, and data processing. Coursework will prepare students to earn the A+ Hardware, A+ Software, Network Troubleshooting, ETA FOI (Fiber Optic), and OSHA 10 industry credentials. Recommended prerequisites: There are no required prerequisites for this certificate. It is recommended that the student possess proficiency in high school English, high school algebra, and geometry and possess the ability to utilize hand tools and instrumentation.
Purpose:This program is designed for individuals seeking employment in either a mobile application software development firm or large organization with a mobile application development team as well as for those persons already employed who wish to update their skills in mobile application development and testing. This curriculum will prepare students for employment as junior mobile application developers as well as quality assurance test engineers for native mobile applications. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for the Google Associate Android Developer certification.
This curriculum is designed for persons who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree program in information technology.
The curriculum is designed for individuals who are interested in a professional or scientific program and who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree with a major in one of the following fields: agriculture, biology, chemistry, pre-dentistry, forestry, geology, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, physical therapy, pre-medicine, science education, or mathematics.
Whether studied with professional goals in mind, to supplement the study of any other field, or just for interest’s sake, computer science offers a powerful way to approach many challenging problems. When combined with selected courses in mathematics and physics, the minor will help prepare the student for graduate work in computer science and related fields
Randolph College provides many ways to engage with mathematics. In addition to the rigorous training afforded by our regular course offerings, faculty frequently engage students in independent study based on student and faculty interests. Furthermore, Randolph College students have been very successful participating in various mathematics competitions against other undergraduate students in the United States. Furthermore, Randolph College Mathematics students have participated regularly in undergraduate research opportunities and internships.
The study of computer science offers students the opportunity to develop problem solving facility and helps develop skills which have broad utility in theory and application and are amongst the most sought-after by employers. The abstraction of real-world problems, the construction of algorithms to display and transform data, and the theory of computation are all central concerns of computer science. The minor in computer science can be effectively combined with any major. Whether studied with professional goals in mind, to supplement the study of any other field, or just for interest's sake, computer science offers a powerful way to approach many challenging problems. When combined with selected courses in mathematics and physics, the minor will help prepare the student for graduate work in computer science and related fields.
The computer science curriculum integrates theory and practice by including foundational topics that underpin the discipline and by emphasizing the value of abstraction and good engineering design in project development. Elective courses provide an opportunity for deeper study in areas of interest. An important part of the curriculum is the inclusion of professional practice activities such as research experience, teamwork, oral communication and technical writing, and project development. While being sensitive to changes in technology, the curriculum also seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges.
A student expecting to major or minor in computer science should enroll in CSCI 111-CSCI 112 in the first year. If credit is given for one or both of these courses, then a student should enroll in CSCI 211 or CSCI 210. A student interested in future graduate studies should complete the two calculus sequences, MATH 131-MATH 132. A student interested in computer hardware is encouraged to select PHYS 210 to meet one of the collegiate science requirements.
Cybersecurity is a computing-based discipline that involves the creation, operation, analysis, and testing of secure systems, networks, and applications to protect against a variety of digital threats. The cybersecurity curriculum is based on national standards and builds on a computer science foundation. The curriculum emphasizes four main areas of cybersecurity: information security, software security, network security, and system security. Mindful of the rapid changes in technology, the curriculum seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges. A student expecting to major in cybersecurity should complete CSCI 111 and CSCI 112 in the first year.
Capstone experiences offered by the Department of Computer Science include CSCI 401, CSCI 403, and CSCI 485, all of which are available to majors in cybersecurity.
The computer science curriculum integrates theory and practice by including foundational topics that underpin the discipline and by emphasizing the value of abstraction and good engineering design in project development. Elective courses provide an opportunity for deeper study in areas of interest. An important part of the curriculum is the inclusion of professional practice activities such as research experience, teamwork, oral communication and technical writing, and project development. While being sensitive to changes in technology, the curriculum also seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges.
A student expecting to major or minor in computer science should enroll in CSCI 111-CSCI 112 in the first year. If credit is given for one or both of these courses, then a student should enroll in CSCI 211 or CSCI 210. A student interested in future graduate studies should complete the two calculus sequences, MATH 131-MATH 132. A student interested in computer hardware is encouraged to select PHYS 210 to meet one of the collegiate science requirements.
Computer Science courses required for the Computer Science degree are available at the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach campuses.
Courses required for the Science degree are available on all four campuses.
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.
The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to industry certifications as a Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA).
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.