What does a gis technician do?
A GIS Technician is responsible for making maps and customizing geographic information systems applications. They also provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of geographic information systems databases.
Gis technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real gis technician resumes:
- Manage computer programming and maximize enhancements to GIS database.
- Generate GIS database updates manually and manage automated unix-base system to apply records to client database.
- Provide application development and support, infrastructure maintenance, and license management.
- Update attribute information and reconcile as-built construction record drawings with corresponding GPS data.
- Trouble shoot ArcGIS relate issues.
- Create site-specific map sets utilizing ArcMAP, ArcTools.
- Maintain real-time quality control of data while entering map information into SQL databases.
- Perform various land analyses and spatial studies using LiDAR data and aerial imagery.
- Create maps of natural gas services and main lines in ArcGIS mapping software.
- Create DTM and DEM for various mapping projects using stereoplotter and soft-copy machines.
- Used ArcGIS to perform analysis, visualization, and cartography for biological research projects.
- Code in website material, graphics, videos and documents using HTML/CSS and JavaScript.
- Create open-source web-map for institute using JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS programming languages.
- Help all divisions of the BLM with different projects needing all aspects of GIS.
- Digitize maps using ArcMap 10.1 by delineating map footprint and denoting elevation points and entrances.
Gis technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of GIS Technicians are proficient in Patients, Patient Care, and GPS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Creativity, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of GIS Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 14%
Changed and canceled appointments using VISTA Scheduling Software/Radiology Package for Nuclear Medicine patients using protocols established by the Service.
- Patient Care, 9%
Increased knowledge within patient care/satisfaction.
- GPS, 7%
Conducted geographical surveys and data computations for preliminary construction design using advanced GPS and laser surveying equipment.
- Database Management, 5%
Advise and direct contractors/consultants and MOIT staff on database management/replication and process improvements strategies.
- Spatial Data, 5%
Perform regular quality control checks of GIS Data and non-spatial databases with minimal supervision to ensure data integrity.
- CAD, 4%
Created and modified architectural and engineering drawings using CAD.
"patients," "patient care," and "gps" are among the most common skills that gis technicians use at work. You can find even more gis technician responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a gis technician to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "analysts work as a go-between with management and the it department and must explain complex issues in a way that both will understand." Gis technicians often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used esri arcgis, modelbuilder, geoprocessor, roads and highway layers, home owner/renter research and communications. "
Creativity. Another essential skill to perform gis technician duties is creativity. Gis technicians responsibilities require that "because analysts are tasked with finding innovative solutions to computer problems, an ability to “think outside the box” is important." Gis technicians also use creativity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "served as data coordinator for critical facility inventory (cfi) updates using esri arcgis geodatabases. "
Analytical skills. This is an important skill for gis technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how gis technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a gis technician: "reviewed engineering drawings and maintenance/inspection data to identify changes to database models and maps. ".
The three companies that hire the most gis technicians are:
- Pike11 gis technicians jobs
- Health First10 gis technicians jobs
- Cooper University Health Care9 gis technicians jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable gis technician resume templates
Build a professional gis technician resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your gis technician resume.
Compare different gis technicians
Gis technician vs. Mapping manager
A Geographic Information Systems Geographer collects, analyzes, and interprets geospatial data. They produce specialist mapping products.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between gis technicians and mapping manager. For instance, gis technician responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "patient care," "database management," and "spatial data." Whereas a mapping manager is skilled in "gis," "auto cad," "business plan," and "care management." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, mapping managers reach similar levels of education than gis technicians. Mapping managers are 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Gis technician vs. Geographic information systems geographer
A GIS (Geographic Information Systems) intern is responsible for assisting the data analyst team on project management operations, data processing procedures, and advocacy program planning. GIS interns shadow all the processes of the organization, performing administrative and clerical duties under the supervision of a direct manager. They also assist with developing strategic procedures for process improvement and product development. A GIS intern should have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and learn tasks within strict deadlines.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that gis technician responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "patient care," "database management," and "spatial data." But a geographic information systems geographer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "esri," "geographical data," "identify patterns," and "computer system."
In general, geographic information systems geographers achieve higher levels of education than gis technicians. They're 16.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for gis technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Nathan Manser Ph.D.
Lecturer of Geological and Mining Engineering, Faculty Advisor to Innovative Global Solutions Enterprise, Michigan Technological University
Gis technician vs. Gis internship
A GIS Coordinator captures, stores, manipulates, analyzes, and manages spatial and geographic data. They supervise a team of staff including programmers, cartographers, data managers, and support specialists.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a gis technician is likely to be skilled in "patients," "patient care," "customer service," and "vital signs," while a typical gis internship is skilled in "spatial database," "gis intern," "web application," and "qgis."
Gis interns earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $67,358. Comparatively, gis technicians have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $67,145.gis interns typically earn similar educational levels compared to gis technicians. Specifically, they're 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Gis technician vs. Gis coordinator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between gis technicians and gis coordinators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a gis technician might have more use for skills like "patients," "patient care," "database management," and "customer service." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of gis coordinators require skills like "gis data," "esri," "database design," and "data management. "
Gis coordinators enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $55,777. For comparison, gis technicians earn the highest salary in the utilities industry.The average resume of gis coordinators showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to gis technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 8.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.Types of gis technician
Updated January 8, 2025
