Profession geographic information systems specialist

Geographic information systems specialists use specialised computer systems, engineering measures, and geological concepts to process land, geographic, and geospatial information into visually detailed digital maps and geomodels of a reservoir. They convert technical information like soil density and properties into digital representations of it for the usage of engineers, governments, and stakeholders interested.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative
• Investigative / Conventional

Knowledge

• Mathematics

  Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

• Geomatics

  The scientific discipline that studies gathering, storing, and processing geographic information.

• Cartography

  The study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications. 

• Geographic information systems

  The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

• Geography

  The scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth.

• Statistics

  The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.

• Surveying

  The technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.

• Geological mapping

  The technique used to create maps that clearly illustrate the geological features and rock layers of an area that may be useful for mining projects and geological explorations.

Skills

• Compile GIS-data

  Gather and organise GIS-data from sources such as databases and maps.

• Collect mapping data

  Collect and conserve mapping resources and mapping data.

• Execute analytical mathematical calculations

  Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.

• Perform surveying calculations

  Perform calculations and gather technical data in order to determine earth curvature corrections, traverse adjustments and closures, level runs, azimuths, marker placements, etc.

• Process collected survey data

  Analyse and interpret survey data acquired from a wide variety of sources e.g. satellite surveys, aerial photography and laser measurement systems.

• Create GIS reports

  Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.

• Create thematic maps

  Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.

• Use geographic information systems

  Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

• Apply statistical analysis techniques

  Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.

• Apply digital mapping

  Make maps by formatting compiled data into a virtual image that gives a precise representation of a specific area.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB