GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS California Occupational Guide Number 554 Interest Area 5-A 1995
TRENDS
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has been around for 25 years, but only in the last 5-10 years has the use of it "taken off", as new and better technologies have made it a nearly indispensable tool for government agencies and utility districts.
The cost of the computer hardware required to run GIS software had inhibited its widespread use; but equipment costs have dropped significantly, and the software has become increasingly easier to use. At the low end, personal computer-based GIS products are available off the shelf. Their relative low cost and ease of use have helped push mainstream GIS vendors to develop simpler, user-oriented GIS.
Local governments face a great challenge in providing services to an ever- growing population in the areas of planning, transportation, public safety, urban renewal, economic development, and sewer and water utilities, as well as health, welfare, and social services. Local governments operate in a complex legal and administrative environment. They must comply with and enforce federal and state mandates and regulations while maintaining the services required by their community. Because of this challenge, a geographic information system has become very important for many local government agencies and utility districts since most of the decisions they make are related to geography. Geographic information is one of the most important and valuable facets of the basic services and facilities that local governments build and support.
THE JOB
Geographic Information Systems Specialists work with GIS computer programs that enable the user to either employ ready-made maps or create maps that can be "layered" or interpolated with data already on an in-house system or imported from extraneous data bases. GIS software has the capacity to use geographic location to relate different data, such as socio-demographics, addresses, potential forest fire areas, location of sewer lines, areas of heavy utility use, etc.
GIS Specialists create or retrieve and view stored maps, create plots, write reports, and update attribute data. They enter new map data either through use of a digitizer or direct manual input of coordinate information, using the principles of cartography, including coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales. They must have a basic understanding of GIS file structure and be able to move, copy, and delete and append files, drawings maps, etc. to output reports in hard copy or electronic transfer. GIS Specialists should have an understanding of relational data bases and be able to perform basic data sorts in specifying input to the GIS. They must understand the concept of "layers" in a GIS display; they are required know what is in them, how to turn them on or off and how to create maps or reports by combining layers. They should know the difference between raster and vector displays and understand when and why one format needs to be converted to the other. They must understand what a pixel is and the pixel level interrogation of displays for retrieval of attribute data. It is necessary for them to know how to access and operate all peripherals associated with a GIS, including printers, plotters, scanners and digitizers.
GIS Specialists may perform routine maintenance on plotters, such as changing pens, toner cartridges, and loading paper trays, etc.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The majority of GIS Specialists work for government agencies or utility companies, but some work for private engineering, architectural, and surveying businesses. A number of GIS Specialists work as consultants and technicians for consulting businesses that help private firms and public entities select the best hardware and software for their geographic information needs.
The job is basically of a sedentary nature but very pleasant, as GIS Specialists usually work in the comfort of clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated surroundings. They generally work at a desk in a cubicle of their own, equipped with computers and automated mapping equipment. The work often involves long hours in front of a computer screen and manipulating a keyboard and could result in eye strain.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The outlook for this occupation through the remainder of this century is generally good. Interest in GIS will continue to intensify but will probably not lead to large increases in employment of GIS Specialists per se. Rather it will lead to the addition of GIS duties to already established occupations and government classes such as drafters, mappers, research analysts, and the like. People already in these classes with education and/or training in computer aided drafting and mapping, geography, physical geology, or aerial photo and map interpretation, will have the best chances of being given GIS duties.
Recent developments in the area of transportation should translate into prospects for big GIS projects. Passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) means that the federal government will be required to spend more money on transportation and highway maintenance, allowing state and local governments more latitude in how they spend their discretionary funding portions on transportation.
Despite some general budget cuts, there should be healthy growth for the occupation in the California Transportation Department (CALTRANS) and county and other local government entities, as GIS is seen as being a major component in the development of high-tech transportation management systems, covering bridges, pavement, congestion, safety and other areas.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
GIS Specialists with consulting firms make from $35,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on seniority.
Those who work as mappers or drafters with utility companies earn from $2,400 to $4,200 per month.
Those who work as Research Analysts with the State of California make from $2,352 to $4,219 per month, while those who work as Research Program Specialists with GIS duties earn from $3,660 to $5,332 a month.
There are a number of classifications within the U.S. Department of Forestry that entail GIS duties: Cartographic Technician (GS-7), Geographic Information System Specialist (GS-7), Geographer (GS-9), Supervisory Operations Research Analyst (GS-9; GS-11, and GS-12).
Beginning General Services (GS) Annual Pay Levels
GS Level 7 $23,419 GS Level 9 $28,648 GS Level 11 $34,662 GS Level 12 $41,543
Note: Ten step increases exist within each GS Level. The median salary for GS-7 is $26,931; for GS-9, $32,944; for GS-11, $39,863; and for GS Level 12, it is $47,774.
Those in the above occupations generally work a 40-hour week, five days a week. GIS Specialists who work with governmental agencies enjoy a full range of benefits, including health, vision, and dental care and paid vacation and sick leave.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Those who wish to take up a career in GIS should pursue a college certificate course in GIS or obtain a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in geography, physical geology or computer programming with a minor in the first two. There are a number of colleges and universities in California with certificate programs in GIS, including Columbia College in Sonora, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of California at Santa Barbara.
ADVANCEMENT
GIS Specialists with private consulting firms can advance to supervisory positions or start up businesses of their own. Drafters and mappers with GIS duties can advance to senior drafters and mappers or promote to supervisory positions. The same holds true for those working for the State of California or the federal government.
FINDING THE JOB
College and university career counselors can provide good leads for job opportunities in this field. Those looking for a job should also contact the personnel offices of utility companies and districts; the California State Personnel Board (916-653-1705) at 801 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California 95814; and the Federal Job Information Center (916-551-1464), 1029 J Street, Sacramento, California 95814.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2122
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 210 Bethesda, MD 20814-2160
American Design Drafting Association 5522 Norbeck Rd. Rockville, MD 20853
Association of American Geographers 1710 Sixteenth Street. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Computer Programmers No. 81 Drafting Occupations No. 338 Cartographers No. 517 Computer Systems Analysts No. 541
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
(Related) DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Drafter, Cartographic 018.261-010 Photogrammetrist 018.261-026 Stereo-Plotter Operator 018.281-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Surveying and Mapping Scientists 223110 Surveying and Mapping Technicians 225210
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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