GIS Mapping Technician (Geographic Information Systems Mapping Technician)
Surveying and Mapping TechniciansDescription
Create, maintain, and analyze GIS data and maps under the direction of GIS analysts, engineers, or planners. Compile spatial data from GPS, CAD, surveys, and imagery to support construction, asset management, planning, and boundary work. Produce accurate cartographic products and web maps, ensure data quality and metadata, and verify compliance with standards.
- • Build and maintain geodatabases containing geographic and attribute data.
- • Collect, import, and normalize spatial data from GPS, CAD, survey notes, imagery, and external datasets.
- • Digitize and edit features, topology, and attributes from aerial or satellite imagery and source maps.
- • Georeference, mosaic, and orthorectify imagery for mapping projects.
- • Create and update map layers, overlays, and symbology to portray boundaries, utilities, and topography.
- • Design cartographic layouts and set map scales, projections, line weights, fonts, and color schemes.
- • Perform spatial analyses such as buffers, overlays, selections, and proximity or network queries.
- • Calculate coordinates, distances, areas, and bearings; perform datum and projection transformations.
- • Validate spatial accuracy and attribute completeness; run QA/QC checks and correct errors.
- • Monitor mapping updates to ensure inclusion of new information and compliance with standards and regulations.
- • Enter GPS field data, legal descriptions, deeds, and survey reports into GIS for map production.
- • Research plats, assessor records, and recorded documents to update parcels, easements, and boundaries.
- • Compare contours and terrain models with imagery and legacy maps to verify feature identification.
- • Produce topographic, thematic, and site maps with supporting notes, legends, and layout elements.
- • Compile construction support data from engineering plans for GIS/CAD coordination.
- • Develop and maintain metadata and data dictionaries for all datasets.
- • Configure and operate GPS/mobile GIS devices; design forms for field data collection.
- • Plan and perform field data collection to locate assets, boundaries, and environmental features.
- • Operate and manage GIS systems, including data storage, queries, and producing plots and reports.
- • Prepare cost and time estimates for GIS mapping tasks and data maintenance.
- • Respond to internal and public requests for maps, datasets, and information about parcels, roads, zoning, or boundaries.
- • Geocode addresses and maintain address points, centerlines, and reference layers.
- • Integrate and convert data between CAD and GIS formats; manage coordinate control.
- • Create and update map services or web maps for distribution via enterprise or cloud platforms.
- • Document methods and procedures for data creation, editing, and field collection.
- • Maintain edit histories, change logs, and source citations for map updates.
- • Ensure backups, data security, and adherence to data governance policies.
- • Train or coordinate technicians engaged in GIS editing, plotting, and map production.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
