A geospatial analyst gathers and analyzes real-time geographic positioning data from global positioning systems (GPS) and raw data from positioning satellites. This information is entered into a database that can be accessed by government agencies, private businesses, the military, NASA, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Many employers demand a college diploma from their geospatial analysts, but they also provide mentoring and on-the-job training. Environmental modeling, computer science, geographic information systems, and other related disciplines are required of geospatial analysts. A geospatial analyst can also collect and analyze data for a variety of purposes, ranging from tornado damage to the total number of home foreclosures in a given area.
Although most geospatial analysts have a master’s degree in cartographic science, civil engineering, computer science, or geographic information systems (GIS), some geospatial analysts only have a bachelor’s degree in a related field. It is also possible that two or more years of experience in geographic information systems or a related technical field will be required. Surveyors, cartographers, drafters, geologists, and engineers with prior experience make the best geospatial analysts. Some employers provide on-the-job training and mentoring for geospatial analysts while they are on the job.
A geospatial analyst is well-versed in geocoding, which entails precisely entering the longitude and latitude of various locations into a single database that is used to create maps for common geographic information systems such as global positioning systems (GPS). They can collect and analyze this geographic information using both hard copy maps and electronic map models if they have computer science knowledge. This procedure necessitates a significant amount of time as well as expertise in environmental modeling. Those responsible for this must go to great lengths to ensure that the geographic data gathered and entered is as accurate as possible. Anyone who uses Google MapsTM or Microsoft® Earth can see a good example of the type of work produced by this collected geographic information.
A geospatial analyst’s data can be used for a variety of purposes, including utility planning, property appraisals, marketing, environmental analysis, and road and highway transportation planning. Meteorologists use the massive amounts of data collected by geospatial analysts to create images depicting hurricane and tornado damage. GIS data and images are also used to track deteriorating beach lines and monitor melting icebergs, which may aid in determining how quickly the oceans are warming. Geospatial analysts’ data, which is stored in a GIS database, can also be used to find buried cables, foreclosures, or population demographics in a given area. Electronic imaging, 3D imaging, maps, tables, and graphs can all be used to manipulate and present geospatial data.