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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a GIS Technician

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

GeospatialData AnalysisInformation TechnologyMappingEnvironmental

🎯 Role Definition

As a GIS Technician, you are the backbone of our geospatial data operations. You are a detail-oriented professional responsible for the creation, maintenance, analysis, and visualization of spatial data. This role involves transforming raw data from various sources—such as field surveys, aerial imagery, and existing databases—into accurate, intelligent maps and actionable insights. You will work closely with project managers, analysts, and engineers to support a wide range of projects, ensuring data integrity and producing high-quality cartographic outputs that drive critical business and planning decisions.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • GIS Intern / Co-op
  • Survey Technician
  • Recent Graduate (Geography, GIS, or related field)
  • Data Entry Clerk with a technical aptitude

Advancement To:

  • GIS Analyst
  • Senior GIS Technician
  • GIS Coordinator / Specialist
  • GIS Developer

Lateral Moves:

  • Cartographer
  • Data Technician / Analyst
  • Urban Planning Assistant
  • Environmental Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Create, edit, and meticulously maintain geospatial vector and raster data layers within an enterprise Esri geodatabase environment, ensuring topological accuracy and attribute completeness.
  • Perform comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) checks on all GIS data, both newly created and existing, to identify and rectify errors, gaps, and inconsistencies.
  • Produce high-quality, professional cartographic products, including detailed thematic maps, project exhibits, and presentation graphics that effectively communicate spatial information to diverse audiences.
  • Digitize, georeference, and integrate various data sources, such as scanned historical maps, as-built engineering drawings, aerial photography, and CAD files, into the GIS.
  • Utilize GPS hardware and mobile data collection applications (like ArcGIS Field Maps or Survey123) to gather accurate asset and environmental data in the field and post-process it in the office.
  • Conduct fundamental spatial analysis tasks, including buffering, proximity analysis, spatial joins, and overlay analysis, to answer geographic questions and support decision-making processes.
  • Manage and execute data conversion tasks, seamlessly translating data between different formats (e.g., CAD to Geodatabase, KML to Shapefile, Excel to spatial data).
  • Update and maintain critical infrastructure and land-base datasets, such as utility networks (water, sewer, electric), parcel fabrics, and road centerlines.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive metadata documentation for all datasets, adhering to FGDC or other established industry standards to ensure data longevity and usability.
  • Provide first-line technical support and troubleshooting assistance to internal staff and external clients for GIS software, web maps, and data inquiries.
  • Assist in the configuration and deployment of web-based mapping applications and dashboards using ArcGIS Online or Portal for ArcGIS to share spatial data with non-technical users.
  • Interpret complex source materials, including legal descriptions, survey plats, and engineering plans, to accurately update and maintain GIS datasets.
  • Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of project managers, engineers, scientists, and planners to understand their specific data and mapping requirements.
  • Research, acquire, and process spatial data from external sources, including government clearinghouses, public agencies, and commercial data vendors.
  • Prepare and structure GIS data to support critical operations, such as E911 addressing, emergency response planning, and asset management systems.
  • Generate and format spatial and tabular reports, statistics, and charts derived from GIS data for inclusion in technical documents and project deliverables.
  • Write and adapt basic Python scripts, particularly using the ArcPy library, to automate repetitive data processing and map production workflows, increasing efficiency.
  • Maintain the enterprise addressing system, including assigning new addresses, updating road names, and ensuring synchronization with emergency services databases.
  • Perform heads-up digitizing from high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery to create or update features like building footprints, land cover, and transportation networks.
  • Assist in the design and implementation of logical data models and geodatabase schemas to support new projects and data collection efforts.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to data alignment, coordinate systems, and projections to ensure all data is spatially accurate and interoperable.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by providing feedback on tools and workflows.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
  • Assist in the preparation of technical documentation, user guides, and training materials.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current with evolving GIS technology trends.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Esri ArcGIS Suite: High proficiency in ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, and familiarity with the broader Esri ecosystem, including ArcGIS Online and Portal for ArcGIS.
  • Geodatabase Management: Strong experience editing and maintaining data within versioned, multi-user enterprise geodatabases (SDE on SQL Server or PostgreSQL).
  • Data Editing & QA/QC: Expertise in topology rules, data validation, and performing rigorous quality control to ensure the highest level of data integrity.
  • Cartographic Design: Solid understanding of cartographic principles, map layout, symbology, and labeling for creating clear and effective map products.
  • Geoprocessing & Analysis: Competency in using a wide range of geoprocessing tools for spatial analysis, data manipulation, and workflow automation.
  • Field Data Collection: Experience with GPS technology and mobile data collection apps like ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, or Trimble TerraFlex.
  • Data Conversion: Skill in converting and transforming data between various geospatial and non-geospatial formats, especially between CAD and GIS.
  • Python Scripting: Basic knowledge of Python and the ArcPy library to automate repetitive geoprocessing tasks is highly desirable.
  • Web GIS: Familiarity with creating and configuring web maps, dashboards, and applications in ArcGIS Online or a similar platform.
  • Coordinate Systems: A firm grasp of geographic coordinate systems, map projections, and datum transformations.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: An exceptional eye for detail is critical for ensuring data accuracy and producing polished, error-free work.
  • Problem-Solving: The ability to logically troubleshoot technical issues with software, data, and workflows.
  • Time Management: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
  • Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills to clearly explain technical concepts to non-technical colleagues and clients.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: A cooperative mindset with the ability to work effectively within a team environment.
  • Adaptability: Eagerness to learn new techniques and adapt to rapidly changing GIS technologies and software.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's Degree in a relevant field or a professional GIS Certificate from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study.

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3 years of direct, hands-on experience in a professional role focused on GIS data editing, map production, and spatial analysis.

Preferred:

  • Experience working with data specific to an industry such as utilities (electric, gas, water), municipal government (planning, public works), environmental consulting, or telecommunications is a significant asset. A portfolio of cartographic work is highly encouraged.
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