Powerful Geography
Survey and Mapping Technician

Survey and Mapping Technician

Survey and Mapping Technicians

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Places and Regions
Secondary Topic: Environment and Society 

Overview: Survey technicians are responsible for gathering, analyzing, interpreting and using geospatial information for the purpose of defining locations of natural and manmade features on, above and below the earth's surface. An undergraduate or graduate degree in geography, engineering or a closely related field such as environmental science is usually necessary to advance to careers such as professional surveyor. Some duties include: Provide technical and administrative support and assistance for a company or government agency’s GIS programManage the operation of specialized GIS equipment, data, software and productsAssist in the development and creation of databases, maps and related projectsAttend conferences and workshops for professional development purposesCollect, manipulate and present data using methods such as ground surveys, remote sensing, aerial photographs, laser ranging, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) or hydrographic methods. Provide data to be used for analysis and mapping in geographic information systemsUse information from GNSS to determine exact coordinates. Use digital mapping techniques and computer assisted design (CAD) software to generate maps and related graphs and chartsProcess digital data to clean up graphical and attribute errors. 

Geographers at work: Geographic Information Systems Specialists, Physical Geographers, Cartographers, Environmental Geographers 

Recommended College Courses: Physical Geography, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, Environmental Management, Quantitative MethodsRegional Geography, Qualitative Methods, Cartography  

Skills: Geographic Information Science, Computer Aided Design, Computer Coding, Environmental Science, Cartography 

Occupation Group: Architecture and Engineering

Learn more about Survey Technicians from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/surveying-and-mapping-technicians.htm

Written by Christopher Hinojosa

II. POWERFUL GEOGRAPHIC KNOWLDGE

Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.
Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.