Cartographers and surveyors determine the exact position of, or prepare and revise digital, graphic and pictorial maps, charts or other visual representation of, natural and constructed features and boundaries of land, seas, underground areas and celestial bodies, applying scientific and mathematical principles.
Job Description:
Collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data. Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems.
Duties and Tasks:
1) Select aerial photographic and remote sensing techniques and plotting equipment needed to meet required standards of accuracy.
2) Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
3) Build and update digital databases.
4) Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain, using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
5) Determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use
6) Study legal records in order to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.
7) Travel over photographed areas in order to observe, identify, record, and verify all relevant features.
8) Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.
9 Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.
10) Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
11) Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
12) Inspect final compositions in order to ensure completeness and accuracy.
13) Determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production in order to ensure that specifications are followed.14) Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images in order to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts..
Activities:
1) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
2) Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
3) Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
4) Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
5) Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
6) Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
7) Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
8) Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
9) Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
10) Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
11) Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
12) Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
13) Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
14) Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
15) Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
16) Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
17) Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
18) Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
19) Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Abilities:
1) Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
2) Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
3) Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
4) Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
5) Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
6) Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
7) Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
8) Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
9) Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
10) Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
11) Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
12) Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
13) Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
14) Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
15) Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
16) Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
17) Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
18) Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Knowledge
1) Geography — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
2) Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
3) Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
4) Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
5) Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.