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Geo Operator

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

GeospatialData OperationsMappingTechnologyData Analysis

🎯 Role Definition

The Geo Operator is a foundational role within our Geospatial Operations team, responsible for the hands-on creation, maintenance, and quality assurance of our geographic datasets. This individual will execute a variety of data production and editing tasks, interpreting aerial and satellite imagery, and applying complex logical rules to ensure our maps and location data meet the highest standards of accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Success in this position directly impacts the user experience and the reliability of our location-based services, making it a critical component of our data supply chain. You are the gatekeeper of our digital world, ensuring what our users see is a true reflection of reality.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • GIS Technician or GIS Intern
  • Data Entry Specialist (with a technical focus)
  • Surveying Assistant or Field Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Geo Operator / Geospatial Team Lead
  • GIS Analyst or Geospatial Data Scientist
  • Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist for Geospatial Data

Lateral Moves:

  • Data Analyst
  • Project Coordinator (Technical Projects)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute detailed editing and manipulation of large-scale vector and raster geospatial datasets according to defined project specifications and schemas.
  • Perform comprehensive quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) reviews on geographic data to identify and correct errors, inconsistencies, and omissions.
  • Utilize high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery to perform heads-up digitizing, feature extraction, and change detection for map features like road networks, buildings, and land use.
  • Ensure the topological integrity of vector data, correcting errors such as overshoots, undershoots, and unclosed polygons to maintain a clean and connected network.
  • Meticulously attribute geographic features with accurate and relevant information, adhering to strict data dictionaries and attribution standards.
  • Analyze and interpret complex source materials, including government data, third-party datasets, and community feedback, to update and enrich our core map database.
  • Georeference and rectify raster imagery and vector data to align with established control points and ensure high positional accuracy.
  • Manage data within versioned enterprise geodatabases, following established check-in/check-out procedures and conflict resolution workflows.
  • Process and integrate raw data from various collection methods, including GPS, LiDAR, and mobile mapping sensors, into our production environment.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex data discrepancies and logical inconsistencies by applying critical thinking and spatial analysis techniques.
  • Document all data editing procedures, quality control findings, and workflow modifications to contribute to our knowledge base and training materials.
  • Operate and monitor automated data processing workflows, validating the output and intervening manually when exceptions are detected.
  • Collaborate directly with GIS Analysts and software engineers to report bugs, suggest tool improvements, and refine data processing methodologies.
  • Consistently meet or exceed established production and quality targets in a fast-paced, deadline-driven operational environment.
  • Create and update thematic maps and data visualizations to support internal reporting, project planning, and communication of data status.
  • Conduct research on geographic areas to resolve data conflicts and ensure the representation of real-world conditions is as accurate as possible.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and perform exploratory spatial analysis to assist other business units.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the organization's data editing guidelines, standards, and best practices.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand how geospatial data is utilized and translate business needs into actionable data requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospective meetings as part of an agile development and operations team.
  • Assist in the training and mentoring of new team members on tools, workflows, and quality standards.
  • Evaluate new data sources and software tools for potential integration into existing operational workflows to drive efficiency and quality improvements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • GIS Software Proficiency: Extensive hands-on experience with industry-standard GIS software such as Esri ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or open-source alternatives like QGIS.
  • Data Editing & Digitizing: Demonstrated ability to perform precise heads-up digitizing and complex geometric edits on vector data.
  • Geospatial Data Formats: Strong understanding of various geospatial data formats (e.g., Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, File Geodatabase, GeoPackage) and their appropriate uses.
  • Imagery Interpretation: Skill in interpreting aerial photography, satellite imagery, and other remote sensing data to identify and classify geographic features.
  • Database Querying: Basic to intermediate proficiency in using SQL for querying databases to select features, verify attributes, and perform quality checks.
  • Geospatial Concepts: Solid grasp of fundamental cartographic and geodetic principles, including map projections, coordinate systems, and data transformations.
  • Quality Assurance Principles: Experience with data quality assurance methodologies and techniques for identifying and correcting spatial and attributional errors.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: An exceptional eye for detail and a commitment to producing highly accurate, error-free work is absolutely essential.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve complex data issues independently.
  • Focus and Repetitive Task Management: The ability to maintain high levels of concentration and accuracy while performing repetitive, detail-oriented tasks for extended periods.
  • Time Management: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively to meet strict deadlines.
  • Communication: Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills for documenting work and collaborating with team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED coupled with significant, relevant professional experience or a GIS certificate.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Associate's Degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Geographic Information Science (GIS)
  • Geography or Cartography
  • Environmental Science
  • Urban Planning
  • Computer Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3 years of direct, hands-on experience in a GIS data production, editing, or technician role.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of experience in a high-volume geospatial data operations environment, with a proven track record of meeting quality and productivity goals. Experience with large, seamless national or global datasets is a significant plus.
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