Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

Field: Geography

Salary
Graduate: £17,000 - £20,000
Employee with 10-15 years in the role: £21,000 - £50,000

Main Employers

• Local authorities
• Government departments 
• Police and emergency services 
• Utility, oil and gas companies 
• Telecommunications companies 
• Insurance companies
• Advertising and market research companies 
• Private healthcare companies 
• Retail organisations
• Defence organisations 
• Construction companies 
• Environmental consultancies

Job Profile
Using advanced computer software and 3-D modeling techniques, GIS specialists integrate topographical, geographic, cartograhic, technological, social and economic data. Their detailed maps, charts, and graphs are generated and analysed to identify environmental issues of interest to government agencies, environmental groups or corporations. They might use satellite photos, lasers, cameras, thermal scanners, and other remote sensing devices to create databases of information about  population density, political boundaries, land use, transportation networks, the location of sewer lines, or potential forest-fire areas and display one or more of them on automated maps.

GIS specialists usually specialise in a particular type of mapping technology like GPS or remote sensing. They can also specialise in a specific type of mapping, like nautical and aeronautical mapping, statistical mapping, topographic mapping, archaeological mapping or mapping for environmental planning. Some specialise in programming or developing GIS software.

Roles and Responsibilities
Jobs will vary according to each employer; however you could expect to be involved in:

• Compile geographic data from a variety of sources including censuses, geographical statistics, field observation, satellite imagery, aerial photographs and existing maps and databases 
• Create maps and graphs using GIS software and hardware  
• Design and update databases 
• Enter new map data through use of a digitiser or by direct input of coordinate information using the principles of cartography including coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales 
• Liaising with clients to define data needs and required outputs  
• Using the information gained to make informed decisions about the use of resources 
• Overseeing the development and application of new GIS software packages  
• Managing project costs and ensuring that project deadlines are met

Qualifications
Relevant further education subjects include: Cartography; Computer Science; Geography; Geographical Information Systems; Mathematics; Software Engineering; Surveying; Town Planning.

GIS management is open to HND holders for posts at a more junior level but a degree or postgraduate qualification is often preferred. Whilst many geography degree courses now include GIS modules and many computer science degrees provide a range of programming and applications skills, GIS degrees offer the best mix of skills and knowledge.

For anyone who wants to obtain a management position, a postgraduate qualification is highly desirable and many employers will favour candidates who offer them. As this occupation becomes more established and structured, it is likely to become more difficult for people with less directly relevant qualifications to gain entry. Specific entry requirements will vary between employers.

Career Development
Salary levels vary due to the wide range of organisations that employ GIS specialists. Software design specialists and private consultants tend to pay at the top end of the range.

With no typical route for career development, career progress depends on where you start. Teams are often made up of cartographers, computer programmers, data analysts, information officers and project managers; so it is quite possible that you could move into GIS management from any one of these roles. GIS specialists often begin as technicians, digitising hard copy maps and managing data. The next step up is analyst who program GIS software to suit the particular environment in which it is being used, design and maintain databases of GIS information, and analyse GIS data to answer research and business questions. Because GIS management is a relatively new field that has developed over the past 15 to 20 years, the scope and responsibilities involved in the work are currently quite fluid.

The majority of training is on the job, although large employers in the sector, such as the Ordnance Survey (OS), will provide in-house training. Software developers who introduce new programs for GIS management also provide training in the use of these packages.

The majority of GIS specialists work for government agencies or utility companies. Some GIS specialists work as consultants and technicians to businesses that help private firms and public entities select the best hardware and software for their needs.

Local governments face great challenges in providing transportation, health, employment, welfare, education, and infrastructure management to an ever-growing population. Since most of the decisions they make are related to location, geographic information is one of the most important and valuable factors in the areas of planning, public safety, urban renewal, and economic development issues facing local governments. Business also finds GIS an indispensable tool for marketing, location, and distribution decisions.

You may be able to move into other project management work outside GIS. Some people with a GIS background go on to set up their own consultancies. New GIS modules on computer science and geography degree and postgraduate courses present a few opportunities in academia.

There are also opportunities to work overseas once you have gained experience; Australia, Canada, Europe and the USA are all widening the applications of GIS management and so offer some employment possibilities.

GIS Jobs at Technojobs http://www.technojobs.co.uk/jobs/gis - The Technical Recruitment Site featuring jobs in the IT, Electronics, Engineering and Telecoms industries

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