Explore unit group

Version:
NOC 2006 Version 1.0

2255 – Mapping and Related Technologists and Technicians

Mapping and related technologists and technicians gather, analyze, interpret and use geospatial information for applications in natural resources, geology, environment and land use planning. This unit group includes technologists and technicians who design and prepare maps, interpret aerial photographs, operate interpretative and airborne remote sensing equipment, and develop and operate geographical information systems. They are employed by all levels of government, the armed forces, utilities, mapping, computer software, forestry, architectural, engineering and consulting firms and other related establishments.

Profile

Index of titles Example job titles

  • Aerial photograph analyst
  • Aerial photograph interpreter
  • Aerial photograph technician
  • Aerial survey technician
  • Aerial survey technologist
  • Airborne data acquisition specialist
  • Cartographer
  • Cartographic compiler
  • Cartographic draftsman/woman
  • Cartographic technician
  • Cartographic technologist
  • Draftsman, cartographic
  • Draftsman/woman, map
  • Editor, maps
  • Geographic information systems (GIS) technician
  • Geographic information systems (GIS) technologist
  • Geological information system technician
  • Geological information system technologist
  • Geological mapping technician
  • Geomatics technician - aerial surveys
  • Geomatics technician - cartography
  • Geomatics technician - geographical information systems (GIS)
  • Geomatics technician - photogrammetry
  • Geomatics technician - remote sensing
  • Geomatics technologist - aerial surveys
  • Geomatics technologist - cartography
  • Geomatics technologist - geographical information systems
  • Geomatics technologist - photogrammetry
  • Geomatics technologist - remote sensing
  • GIS (geographic information system) technician
  • GIS (geographic information systems) technologist
  • Land information system (LIS) technician
  • Land information system (LIS) technologist
  • LIS (land information system) technician
  • LIS (land information system) technologist
  • Map draftsman/woman
  • Map editor
  • Map reproduction technician - military
  • Mapping technician
  • Photo cartographer
  • Photogrammetric technician
  • Photogrammetric technologist
  • Photogrammetrist
  • Pilot, remote-controlled underwater vehicle - military
  • Remote sensing (RS) application specialist
  • Remote sensing (RS) technician
  • Remote sensing (RS) technologist
  • Remote-controlled underwater vehicle pilot - military
  • RS (remote sensing) application specialist
  • RS (remote sensing) technician
  • RS (remote sensing) technologist
  • Softcopy photogrammetrist
  • Specialist, remote sensing (RS) application
  • Specialist, RS (remote sensing) application
  • Technician, geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Technician, geological information system
  • Technician, geological mapping
  • Technician, geomatics - aerial surveys
  • Technician, geomatics - cartography
  • Technician, geomatics - geographical information systems (GIS)
  • Technician, geomatics - photogrammetry
  • Technician, geomatics - remote sensing
  • Technician, GIS (geographic information system)
  • Technician, land information system (LIS)
  • Technician, LIS (land information system)
  • Technician, photogrammetric
  • Technician, remote sensing (RS)
  • Technician, RS (remote sensing)
  • Technologist, geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Technologist, geological information system
  • Technologist, geomatics - aerial surveys
  • Technologist, geomatics - cartography
  • Technologist, geomatics - geographical information systems
  • Technologist, geomatics - photogrammetry
  • Technologist, geomatics - remote sensing
  • Technologist, GIS (geographic information systems)
  • Technologist, land information system (LIS)
  • Technologist, LIS (land information system)
  • Technologist, photogrammetric
  • Technologist, remote sensing (RS)
  • Technologist, RS (remote sensing)
  • Aerial survey technician
  • Cartographer
  • Cartographic technician
  • Geographic information systems (GIS) technician
  • Map editor
  • Mapping technician
  • Photogrammetric technologist
  • Photogrammetrist
  • Remote sensing (RS) technician
  • Softcopy photogrammetrist

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Cartographic technologists and technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Plan map content, format and design and compile required data from aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports and other maps
    • Generate maps and related graphs and charts using digital mapping techniques, computer interactive graphics, computer assisted design and drafting (CAD) software, traditional drafting methods and computer or traditional scribing tools
    • Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
  • Photogrammetric technologists and technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Examine and interpret aerial photographs to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics and related charts
    • Operate digitized stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment to provide three-dimensional optical models of terrain, to trace maps, and to prepare charts and tables.
  • Aerial survey technologists and technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Operate airborne remote sensing equipment such as survey film or digital cameras, laser or radar sensors and scanners which produce images of large areas of the earth, coastline, or of the atmosphere
    • Monitor recording quality and adjust equipment as required and inspect quality of recorded images.
  • Remote sensing technologists and technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Operate analog or computer-based remote sensing interpretive equipment to prepare images, graphic and alphanumeric reports, maps and charts from airborne or satellite data
    • Develop specialized analog and computer software specific routines to customize and integrate image analysis
    • Verify the integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems.
  • Geographic information systems (GIS) technologists and technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Operate specialized computer hardware and software and peripheral equipment to model, manage, analyze and display geospatial data
    • Develop specialized computer software routines, Internet based GIS, database and business applications to customize geographic information
    • Work with external organizations on data transfer and systems compatibility issues
    • Perform data entry and editing activities and maintenance operations to systems following pre-determined calibration procedures
    • Integrate external software such as spreadsheets and statistical packages with GIS software
    • Train and provide technical support for GIS users.

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Technologists in this unit group require completion of a two- to three-year college program in cartography, photogrammetry, aerial survey, remote sensing, geographic information system or geomatics.
  • Technicians in this unit group require completion of a one- to two-year college program in cartography, photogrammetry, aerial survey, remote sensing, geographic information system or geomatics.
  • In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body is required to use the title of Professional Technologist.

Additional information

  • Geomatics is an interdisciplinary field encompassing the collection, analysis and presentation of geographically referenced data.
  • Mobility is possible between some occupations in this unit group.

Exclusions

Breakdown summary

Broad occupational category
2 – Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations
Skill level
B – Occupations usually require college education or apprenticeship training.
Major group
22 – Technical Occupations Related to Natural and Applied Sciences
Minor group
225 – Technical Occupations in Architecture, Drafting, Surveying and Mapping
Version
NOC 2006 Version 1.0