GIS Specialist Career Guide

What is a GIS specialist?

A geographic information systems (GIS) specialist is someone who uses a mix of geography and tech skills to figure out real-world problems. They take all kinds of data about places and turn it into useful information that can help in planning cities, protecting the environment, responding to emergencies, and more. Think of them as mapmakers who use tech to make smart decisions about how to use land and resources better.

Duties and responsibilities

A GIS specialist collects and uses data about places to help with various projects. They work with special computer programs to arrange data, analyze it, and make maps or graphs that show what the data means. They might also go outside to collect new data themselves. Their work helps make big decisions in things like city planning, research, and keeping the public informed. It’s like being part detective, part artist, and part tech whiz.

Work environment

GIS specialists mostly work in offices, but they might also need to work outside to collect data directly from different places. This could be in a city or out in nature, depending on what the project needs. They often work with other professionals like city planners and scientists to get the job done. Even though they usually work regular hours each week, sometimes they need to work longer to meet deadlines, especially if they’re helping out with emergencies like natural disasters.

Typical work hours

Most of the time, GIS specialists work about 40 hours a week, but their schedule might change depending on the project. Sometimes, they need to travel or work extra hours if there’s an urgent need for their skills. While it’s mostly a Monday-to-Friday job, flexibility is important because unexpected things can come up that need quick action.

---

How to become a GIS specialist

Becoming a GIS specialist means learning a lot about maps, data, and computers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started on this exciting career path:

Step 1: Earn a college degree

To kick things off, you’ll need a college degree. While some jobs might ask for a master’s degree, starting with a bachelor’s is good. Major in something like computer science, geography, or engineering—these are all super helpful for this kind of job.

Step 2: Take extra courses online

After college, beef up your skills with some online courses. These courses are like secret weapons that help you learn the special tech used by GIS specialists:

• Introduction to Web Programming for GIS Applications: This course on Udemy is great for learning about geospatial apps. Even if you’re not a computer whiz, this course makes it easy to understand how to use important tools.
• Web GIS Development Course: Another cool course on Udemy. It starts with basics and takes you up to building full projects. A great choice if you want to mix tech skills and map-making.
• Fundamentals of GIS: Check out this course on Coursera to dive into map-making and spatial analysis using ArcGIS, a top tool used by pros.
• GIS Data Formats, Design, and Quality: This is a follow-up course where you get into the nitty-gritty of data types and how to organize and use data effectively.

Step 3: Get certified

Certifications are like trophies that show you really know your stuff. They help you stand out when looking for a job. Here are a couple of certifications that are worth considering:

• Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP): This is a big one and shows you’ve got serious skills and experience.
• GIS Professional: Offered by the GIS Certification Institute, this certification helps prove you’re good at what you do.

Step 4: Find a job

Now that you’ve learned the skills and maybe even got certified, it’s time to find a job. Look online for job postings or connect with recruiters who specialize in GIS jobs. Starting out, you might work in entry-level positions, but with experience, you can move up to bigger roles.

---

How much do GIS specialists make?

There are many variables that go into determining how much a GIS specialist makes, from company size to experience to education, just to name a few.

Highest paying states

Browse GIS specialist salary data by market

---

Types of GIS specialists

GIS specialists can be found in many different fields, but they all share the same goal. Here’s a look at some common types:

Government GIS specialist

The government really needs GIS specialists, especially in departments like security, defense, and environmental protection. They help figure out things like where animals live and move, which can be important for keeping them safe or planning new places for people to live.

Cartographers and photogrammetrists

These are the map makers. They create detailed maps that show things like weather changes, where forests are burning, or new rock formations. Some maps are even made to help with advertising or political campaigns—pretty cool, right?

Urban planners

Urban planners help design cities and towns so that everything fits well and works smoothly. They use GIS to understand lots of data, like how many people live in an area or what the environment is like. This helps them make smart decisions about where buildings should go or how to keep the environment clean.

Surveyors

Surveyors use GIS to make very detailed maps that help in building things like new roads or parks. They need to know exactly where everything is so that everything built is safe and in the right place.

---

Top skills for GIS specialists

If you’re thinking about becoming a GIS specialist, here are some key skills you’ll need to be great at the job:

Technical expertise

First up, you’ve got to know your way around the tools of the trade. That means getting really good at using GIS software like ArcGIS or QGIS. These tools help you collect data, make maps, and do all sorts of cool analyses. Plus, you should also know about the gadgets that gather data, like GPS devices, and how to mix different types of data together.

Spatial thinking

This is all about understanding how different places relate to each other. Can you look at a map and figure out why things are where they are? Whether it’s figuring out the best route for a road or where to put a new park, being able to think spatially helps you solve these puzzles.

Analytical skills

As a GIS specialist, you’ll often dig through a lot of data to spot trends or weird things that stand out. This could be anything from checking out where it floods the most to seeing how many people live in a certain area. Your job is to make sense of all that info and help others understand what it means.

Effective communication

You’ll need to be able to share your findings with people who might not know much about GIS. That means turning complex data into easy-to-understand reports, presentations, or even cool-looking maps and charts. Good communication helps make sure everyone gets why your work is important.

Project management

Often, you’ll work on big projects that need you to keep things organized. You might need to work with different teams, stick to deadlines, and manage a budget. Being a good project manager means making sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

---

GIS specialist career path

Thinking about a career as a GIS specialist? It’s a journey into the world of maps and data analysis that can take you to some pretty exciting places. Here’s how it usually goes:

Starting out

Most people start as a GIS technician or GIS analyst. In these beginner jobs, you’ll work on gathering data, making basic maps, and doing some simple analysis. Getting certified in popular GIS software like ArcGIS or QGIS can really help you stand out early in your career.

Moving up

Once you’ve got some experience, you might move up to a GIS specialist or senior GIS analyst job. These roles are a bit tougher and involve more complicated tasks like detailed spatial analysis, managing data databases, and sometimes even a bit of coding to make custom GIS tools. You’ll also start working more with experts in other fields like urban planning and environmental science.

Becoming a leader

After you’ve proven your skills, you could become a GIS manager or project lead. Now you’re not just doing the work; you’re in charge of making sure projects go smoothly and managing a team. You’ll need strong leadership skills and a good grasp of how GIS helps meet big goals in business or government.

Reaching the top

The next steps could take you to top spots like director of GIS or even into specialized consulting roles. As a director, you’d oversee all GIS activities in your organization, from strategy to staffing. Consultants focus on specific areas like environment, utilities, or security, using their GIS skills to solve specialized problems.

---

Similar job titles

• Environmental Engineer
• Environmental Field Technician
• Environmental Scientist
• Data Analyst
• Surveyor
• Software Developer
• Geologist
• Geotechnical Engineer

---

Position trends and outlook for GIS specialists

According to a tech-focused website, Computer Science Online, three big trends are shaping the future:

• Mobile technology: More and more services and tools are moving to mobile platforms. This means GIS specialists will be needed to develop apps that help people use geographic data on their phones and tablets.
• Data security: As we use more data, keeping that data safe becomes crucial. These pros will help secure geographic data, making sure it’s safe from hackers.
• Big data: Businesses are using huge amounts of data to make decisions. They will be key in managing and analyzing geographic data to help businesses understand trends and make better decisions.

Employment projections

The demand for GIS specialists is expected to grow by 3% through 2032. This growth is driven by more use of geographic data in areas like transportation, managing natural resources, and emergency management. Basically, as more sectors start to rely on geographic data, they’ll need more experts to handle it.

---

GIS specialist career tips

Soft skills and traits

Consider doing an internship or volunteer to gain experience and network within the industry and sharpen your skills. Learn as much as possible about the companies you will be applying for. See if you can determine what software they use and what work they do. Build up a portfolio of your work that you can showcase. Try to include at least three examples of projects you’ve worked on.

Commonly required skills and qualifications

Study maps of all types. Choose historical maps and learn about cartographers’ processes before computers would assist. Study current maps and how they’ve changed. Understand the methods and purpose behind each one to broaden your knowledge set. Practice your communication skills. GIS specialists help with many projects and may need to present information to large groups. Consider taking a public speaking course to help build up those skills. 

Develop a professional network

Consider joining a professional network to meet others in the same industry, share best practices, and learn about new technologies and opportunities. Here are a few to explore:

• GIS Professional Network
• American Association of Geographers
• Geospatial Information and Technology Association
• Urban and Regional Information Systems Association
• GeoCommunity
• LinkedIn Groups and Communities

---

FAQs