Geographic information systems

Description

The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

Alternative labels

geospatial technologies
GPS
geographic information systems
RS
rs
remote sensing
gps
GIS
global positioning systems
gis

Skill type

knowledge

Skill reusability level

sector-specific

Relationships with occupations

Essential knowledge

Geographic information systems is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Mine surveyor: Mine surveyors prepare and maintain mining plans in line with statutory and management requirements. They keep records of the physical progress of mining operations and of ore or mineral production.
Geological engineer: Geological engineers apply geological knowledge for the assessment of sites, soils, slope stability, sediments and other observable characteristics in the Earth. They integrate this information in the planning and development of projects in those places. They assess and answer questions concerning the geological characteristics of soils by performing research and experiments of the sites aimed to be intervened.
Special forces officer: Special forces officers operate in specialised missions such as counter terrorism missions. They perform combat and intelligence missions in order to impede with enemy equipment and installations, and to gather information on enemy strategy and movement.
Cadastral technician: Cadastral technicians design and create maps and blue-prints, converting new measurement results into the real estate cadastre of a community. They define and indicate the property boundaries and ownerships, land use, and create city and district maps using measurement equipment and specialised software.
Intelligence communications interceptor: Intelligence communications interceptors work in the air force in the development of intelligence in places like headquarters and command posts. They search and intercept electromagnetic traffic transmitted in different languages.
Land planner: Land planners visit sites in order to create projects and plans for land usage and development. They collect and analyse data about the land. Land planners provide advice on the efficiency and safety of development plans.
Air traffic instructor: Air traffic instructors train people in all the matters regarding with the operations in air navigation services such as the management of flight traffic and the communication for navigation in aerodromes. They teach all the directives issued by air traffic control for the purpose of passing to trainees the sense of safety and expeditious flow of air traffic.
Surveying technician: Surveying technicians carry out technical surveying tasks. They assist surveyors, architects or engineers in surveying related technical tasks such as mapping land, creating construction drawings and operating precise measuring equipment
Hydrogeologist: Hydrogeologists in mining study the distribution, quality and flow of water in order to keep mine workings free of nuisance water and to ensure an adequate supply of process water. They supply and evaluate information which will protect ground and surface water from contamination.
Palaeontologist: Palaeontologists research and analyse forms of life that existed in ancient eras of the planet Earth. They strive to define the evolutionary path and the interaction with different geological areas of all kinds of once organisms and such plants, pollen and spores, invertebrate and vertebrate animals, humans, traces such as footprints, and ecology and climate.
Warfare specialist: Warfare specialists perform strategic duties, such as making tactical decisions, detecting and identifying potential threats, and locating targets and objectives. They communicate with the other teams to ensure the efficiency of the operation, and also oversee the safety of the team.

Aviation surveillance and code coordination manager: Aviation surveillance and code coordination manager ensures that all components of surveillance infrastructures, both ground and airborne, operate in a safe, cohesive and interoperable manner.
Geographic information systems specialist: Geographic information systems specialists use specialised computer systems, engineering measures, and geological concepts to process land, geographic, and geospatial information into visually detailed digital maps and geomodels of a reservoir. They convert technical information like soil density and properties into digital representations of it for the usage of engineers, governments, and stakeholders interested.
Cartographer: Cartographers create maps by combining various scientific informations depending of the purpose of the map (e.g. topographic, urban, or political maps). They combine the interpretation of mathematical notes and measurements with the aesthetics and visual depiction of the site for developing the maps. They may also work on developing and improving geographic information systems and may perform scientific research within cartography.
Remote sensing technician: Remote sensing technicians collect airborne data. They utilise equipment aimed for the collection of data and determination of geographical points in order to help in a variety of operations such as land conservation, urban planning, and military operations.
Colonel: Colonels serve in the staff of a military commander, and function as primary advisers in operational and strategic decision-making to senior officers.
Geographer: Geographers are scholars who study human and physical geography. Depending on their specialisation, they study political, economical and cultural aspects of humanity contained within human geography. Moreover, they study land formations, soils, natural frontiers, and water flows contained in physical geography.
Geochemist: Geochemists study the characteristics and chemical elements in minerals, rocks and soils, and how they interact with hydrological systems. They coordinate the collection of samples and indicate the suite of metals to be analysed.
Astronaut: Astronauts are crew members commanding spacecrafts for operations beyond low Earth orbit or higher than the regular altitude reached by commercial flights. They orbit the Earth in order to perform operations such as scientific research and experiments, launching or release of satellites, and building of space stations.
Conservation scientist: Conservation scientists manage the quality of specific forests, parks and other natural resources. They protect the wildlife habitat, biodiversity, scenic value, and other unique attributes of preserves and conservation lands. Conservation scientists perform field work.

Optional knowledge

Geographic information systems is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Air traffic manager: Air traffic managers coordinate the planning of ground control, the maintenance of the aircrafts, and the handling of customers. They strive for the most efficient use of resources in directing the aircraft. They manage safety, quality, and risks in everyday work. They also plan and compare performance with other air navigation service providers.
Meteorologist: Meteorologists study climate processes, measure and predict weather patterns and provide consultancy services to a variety of weather information users. They work out models for weather forecasting, develop instruments to collect meteorological data and compile statistics and databases.
Archaeologist: Archaeologists research and study past civilisations and settlements through collecting and inspecting material remains. They analyse and draw conclusions on a wide array of matters such as hierarchy systems, linguistics, culture, and politics based on the study of objects, structures, fossils, relics, and artifacts left behind by these peoples. Archaeologists utilise various interdisciplinary methods such as stratigraphy, typology, 3D analysis, mathematics, and modelling.
Navy officer: Navy officers command missions during conflict and peace times, and supervise training and development of their teams. They supervise combat operations of their team, as well as aid missions, and patrolling missions to ensure peace-keeping. Often they collaborate on a regular basis with the HR department of the HQCS for the best planning of the future needs.
Pipeline environmental project manager: Pipeline environmental project managers ensure the accomplishment of environmental preservation within pipeline transport projects. They, together with a group of managers and specialists, analyse the sites and routes of pipelines in order to advice on environmental issues to be considered and addressed.
Climatologist: Climatologists study the average change in weather and climate from a long-term perspective. They research and analyse historic weather conditions in order to forecast climatic conditions trends such as changes in temperature, global warming, or regional evolutive weather conditions. They use these findings for advising on environmental policy, construction, agricultural projects, and societal matters.
Hydrographic surveyor: Hydrographic surveyors measure and map, by means of specialised equipment, marine environments. They collect scientific data in order to study the underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water.
Army corporal: Army corporals supervise sections of soldiers and perform instruction duties. They also command equipment such as heavy machinery and weaponry.
Oceanographer: Oceanographers study and perform research on matters related to the sea and oceans. Oceanographers divide their expertise in four main branches of research which are physical oceanographers whose research focus on waves and tides, chemical oceanographers whose study address the chemical constitution of sea waters, marine biologists whose focal point is the study of living organisms, ecosystems and  their interaction underwater, and geological oceanographer whose research refers to the bottom of seas and their plaques.
Pipeline route manager: Pipeline route managers oversee the day-to-day operational aspects of transporting goods via pipeline infrastructures. They have an overview of the network and plan the different routes to transport goods from one site to another. They strive for the most efficient and less costly route. They troubleshoot arising issues in networks and sites, ensure implementation of regulations, and follow up the achievement of transport targets.
Secondary school teacher: Secondary school teachers provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually specialist subject teachers, who instruct in their own field of study. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary and evaluate their knowledge and performance through assignments, tests and examinations.
Hydrographic surveying technician: Hydrographic surveying technicians perform oceanographic and surveying operations in marine environments. They assist hydrographic surveyors, using specialised equipment to map and study underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water. They assist in the installation and deployment of hydrographic and surveying equipment and report about their work.
Sewerage network operative: Sewerage network operatives maintain sewerage systems which remove and transport wastewater and sewerage. They inspect pipes, pumping stations, and mains, looking for leaks or other faults, and repair any problems. They clear blockages, and perform maintenance duties, using network maps and specialised software.
Mineralogist: Mineralogists study the composition, structure and other physical aspects of the earth. They analyse various minerals and use scientific equipment to determine their structure and properties. Their work mostly focuses on the classification and identification of minerals by taking samples and performing further tests, analysis and examinations.
Geography teacher secondary school: Geography teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, geography. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of geography through assignments, tests and examinations.
Army captain: Army captains aid in the supervision of large units of soldiers, as well as perform planning and strategic duties in tactical operations. They also ensure equipment maintenance and provide support in logistic matters as well as support during operations.
Mine surveying technician: Mine surveying technicians conduct boundary and topographic surveys and surveys of the progress of mining operations. They operate surveying equipment and utilise programs to retrieve and interpret relevant data, and perform computations as required.
Lieutenant: Lieutenants command troops of platoons of soldiers and lead them in training and discipline exercises. They also perform administrative duties, and function as advisers.
Arboriculturist: Arboriculturists carry out specialised tasks related to observation, health and maintenance of trees.
3D modeller: 3D modellers design 3D models of objects, virtual environments, layouts, characters, and 3D virtual animated agents.
Real estate surveyor: Real estate surveyors undertake research in order to assess the value of property for tax purposes. They investigate multiple properties at once, using accurate appraisal techniques. They provide their services usually to local and governmental bodies for taxation reasons.
Geologist: Geologists research the materials that form the earth. Their observations depend on the purpose of the research. Depending on their specialisation, geologists study how the Earth has been shaped over time, its geological layers, the quality of minerals for mining purposes, earthquakes and volcanic activity for private services, and similar phenomena.
Armed forces officer: Armed forces officers supervise operations and manoeuvres, assign duties, and command subordinate staff. They ensure efficient communication within and between units and perform training duties. They also operate equipment and supervise equipment maintenance.
Sergeant: Sergeants command squads as a second in command. They allocate tasks and duties, supervise equipment, and ensure proper training of staff. They also advise commanding officers and perform support duties.
Civil engineer: Civil engineers design, plan, and develop technical and engineering specifications for infrastructure and construction projects. They apply engineering knowledge in a vast array of projects, from the construction of infrastructure for transportation, housing projects, and luxury buildings, to the construction of natural sites. They design plans that seek to optimise materials and integrate specifications and resource allocation within the time constraints.
Land surveyor: Land surveyors determine, by means of specialised equipment, the distances and positions of points at the surface of sites for construction purposes. They use measurements of the specific aspects of construction sites, such as electricity, distance measurements, and metal structure volumes to create architectural drawings and develop construction projects.
Squadron leader: Squadron leaders command a squadron specialising in different operations, such as aircraft squadrons, ground operations squadrons, or armoured fighting vehicles squadrons.
Army major: Army majors command large units of officers and soldiers, supervise their training, and oversee their wellfare. They also supervise their administration, and equipment management.
Forester: Foresters are responsible for monitoring the natural and economic viability of a woodland or forest and for activities related to its management and conservation.
Forestry adviser: Forestry advisers provide services and advice on economic and environmental issues in compliance with laws and regulations.
Geology technician: Geology technicians assist in all the activities carried out by geologists. They, under the supervision of geologists, collect materials, carry out research and study the samples collected from the Earth in order to offer analysis as part of the project and the aim. Geology technicians assist in determining the value of the land for oil or gas exploration. They perform various technical tasks, including collecting samples during geochemical surveys, working on drill sites, and participating in geophysical surveys and geological studies.

 


 

References

  1. Geographic information systems – ESCO

 

Last updated on September 20, 2022