Geographic Information Systems Technician (15-1299.02)
Career Family
Computer & Mathematical → Geospatial Data Production
Fit Summary
Conventional–Investigative; detail‑oriented mappers who enjoy structured data, topology rules, and map design; ISTJ/ISFJ common. (Customize to the current student.)
Career Overview
Compile, edit, and maintain geospatial datasets and maps. Georeference imagery, digitize features, validate topology, run spatial queries, create cartographic products, and support web‑map publishing and field data collection.
Credential Pathways
Typical Education: Associate’s to bachelor’s in GIS/geography; certificates valued (Job Zone 3).
Pathways: Intern/tech → GIS analyst → specialist/developer; lateral to surveying or planning.
Regulatory Moat: Data standards and metadata practices; some sectors require security clearance.
Alternative Pathways: Transition from drafting/CAD or environmental tech with GIS training.
Environment & Lifestyle
- Work Environment: Office/hybrid; occasional field GPS data collection.
- Sensory/Social Load: Low–Moderate—team coordination and client requests.
- Physicality/Fieldwork: Low—desk‑based; some outdoor GPS sessions.
- Geographic Anchoring: Utilities, local government, environmental and transportation firms.
- Remote Amenability: High for data editing and map production.
Future-Proofing Snapshot
- AI Augmentation Potential: High — feature extraction and data cleaning.
- AI Displacement Risk: Moderate — automation of digitizing; quality control remains human.
- AI New Task Creation: Some — model training and data stewardship.
- AI Skill Shift Intensity: Medium — scripting (Python), SQL, and web maps.
- Automation Risk Score: Moderate.
- Human-Core Score: Strong — QA/QC and cartographic judgment.
- Overall Vulnerability/Resilience: Resilient with infrastructure and utilities demand.
- Emerging Trends: Field‑to‑cloud mobile GIS, 3D/indoor mapping.
Risks / Watchpoints
- Monotony during large edits—quality focus needed
- Version conflicts and data governance issues
- Deadlines during emergency mapping
Notes on Fit
Ideal for Conventional/Investigative students who like organized data and clean maps. (Personalize to student.)
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