A geographic information systems (GIS) specialist is a person who creates and maintains maps and related data using software and various types of technology. This individual may also be in charge of rendering, analyzing, and manipulating a variety of geospatial data. The requirements for becoming a GIS specialist may differ depending on the employer with whom he seeks employment. However, many employers prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees or GIS certificates.
A GIS specialist may be asked to perform a variety of tasks, and the specific responsibilities he will have will depend on where and by whom he is employed. This person may be responsible for creating maps and graphs using GIS software and tools. He might also conduct research to find existing databases, collect and analyze spatial data, and figure out how to combine and display the information. An expert in this field can also conduct data analysis to obtain geographic statistics that can be used in a variety of documents. In the course of their work, people in this field frequently use plotters, digitizers, GIS software and hardware, printers, and video cameras.
A person typically completes a GIS certificate program or earns a bachelor’s degree in geography, GIS, environmental science, or a related major in order to become a GIS specialist. Many employers prefer to hire people with bachelor’s degrees in geography or GIS over people with certificates. Some employers, on the other hand, may be willing to hire applicants without degrees or certificates if they have several years of GIS experience.
A person who wants to become a GIS specialist may need additional qualifications in addition to a degree, certificate, or experience. Good geography skills, including the ability to describe land, sea, and air locations and characteristics, are typically required for this career. In order to communicate GIS information to non-technical people, he should usually have good verbal and written skills. Analytical and mathematical skills, as well as information gathering and ordering skills, are required to perform duties in this field. Additionally, computer science skills are sometimes required of a GIS specialist in order to not only use programs to solve problems, but also to help develop new programs.