Mapping Technicians

Career Description: Calculate mapmaking information from field notes, and draw and verify accuracy of topographical maps.

Industry: Architecture and Engineering

Other Job Titles for Mapping Technicians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
• Determine scales, line sizes, and colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
• Monitor mapping work and the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, the inclusion of new or changed information, and compliance with rules and regulations.
• Identify and compile database information to create maps in response to requests.
• Produce and update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, and topographic features on various base maps and at different scales.
• Trace contours and topographic details to generate maps that denote specific land and property locations and geographic attributes.
• Lay out and match aerial photographs in sequences in which they were taken, and identify any areas missing from photographs.
• Compare topographical features and contour lines with images from aerial photographs, old maps, and other reference materials to verify the accuracy of their identification.
• Compute and measure scaled distances between reference points to establish relative positions of adjoining prints and enable the creation of photographic mosaics.
• Research resources such as survey maps and legal descriptions to verify property lines and to obtain information needed for mapping.
• Form three-dimensional images of aerial photographs taken from different locations, using mathematical techniques and plotting instruments.
• Enter Global Positioning System (GPS) data, legal deeds, field notes, and land survey reports into geographic information system (GIS) workstations so that information can be transformed into graphic land descriptions, such as maps and drawings.
• Analyze aerial photographs to detect and interpret significant military, industrial, resource, or topographical data.
• Redraw and correct maps, such as revising parcel maps, to reflect tax code area changes, using information from official records and surveys.
• Train staff members in duties such as tax mapping, the use of computerized mapping equipment, and the interpretation of source documents.
• Research and combine existing property information to describe property boundaries in relation to adjacent properties, taking into account parcel splits, combinations, and land boundary adjustments.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in plotting data, drafting maps, or producing blueprints, photostats, and photographs.
• Create survey description pages and historical records related to the mapping activities and specifications of section plats.
• Calculate latitudes, longitudes, angles, areas, and other information for mapmaking, using survey field notes and reference tables.
• Identify, research, and resolve anomalies in legal land descriptions, referring issues to title and survey experts as appropriate.
• Complete detailed source and method notes detailing the location of routine and complex land parcels.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public and to staff members regarding assessment maps, surveys, boundaries, easements, property ownership, roads, zoning, and similar matters.
• Trim, align, and join prints to form photographic mosaics, maintaining scaled distances between reference points.
• Produce presentations of surface and mineral ownership layers by interpreting legal survey plans.
• Design and supervise the development of systems processes or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.

Emerging Tasks

• Design and develop information databases that include geographic and topographic data.
• Seek new work opportunities through marketing and writing proposals.
• Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
• Keep documentation of service histories on all biomedical equipment.
• Manage team of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating and utilizing budgets, and overseeing contract obligations and deadlines.
• Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• 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.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• analyze spatial data
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• communicate technical information
• develop or maintain databases
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• draw maps or charts
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• interpret aerial photographs
• read maps
• read technical drawings
• research property records
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computer graphics design software
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use field notes in technical drawings
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use spreadsheet software
• estimate time needed for project
• estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
• follow horticulture irrigation techniques
• inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance
• interpret aerial photographs
• interpret maps for architecture, construction, or engineering project
• judge soil conditions
• make presentations
• obtain information from individuals
• prepare environmental impact or related environmental reports
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• read blueprints
• read maps
• read technical drawings
• research property records
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand property documents
• use building or land use regulations
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computer graphics design software
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use field notes in technical drawings
• use government regulations
• use graphic arts techniques
• use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use project management techniques
• use relational database software
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• use total quality management practices
• test air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand construction specifications
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand government construction contracting regulations
• use building or land use regulations
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use field notes in technical drawings
• use government regulations
• use hazardous disposal techniques
• use hazardous materials information
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of regulations in surveying or construction activities
• use land surveying techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of laser technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use machining operations with semiconductor chip forming technology
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use pollution control techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quality assurance techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use robotics systems technology
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use total quality management practices
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• n/a

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 19.37%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 14,634
• Employment (2006): 75,555

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