CAREER GUIDE FOR CARTOGRAPHER AND PHOTOGRAMMETRIST

SOC Code: 17-1021

Pay Band(s): 3,4 and 5 (Salary Structure)

Standard Occupational 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.

Cartographer positions in the Commonwealth are assigned to the following Roles in the Engineering Technology Career Group:

Engineering Technician II

Engineering Technician III

Engineering Technician IV

While Cartographer within the Commonwealth are all located within the Engineering Technology Career Group, individuals may want to pursue other opportunities within the Commonwealth depending upon individual training, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and interests.

Other Career Group(s) that may be of interest are:

Architecture and Engineering Services

Electronics

Media and Production Services

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND TASKS

(Technical and Functional Expertise)

Skills
Note: The technical and functional skills listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Cartographer commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the skills listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.

Using mathematics to solve problems.
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Knowledge
Note: The technical and functional knowledge statements listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Cartographer commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the knowledge listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.

The Knowledge of:

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.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Abilities
Note: The technical and functional abilities listed below are based on general occupational qualifications for Cartographer commonly recognized by most employers. Typically, you will not be required to have all of the abilities listed to be a successful performer. Recruitment and selection standards for an individual state job must be based on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities for that job as indicated in the job announcement and job description in the Employee Work Profile.

The Ability to:

See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
See details at a distance.
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
Generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Tasks
Note: The following is a list of sample tasks typically performed by Cartographer. Employees in this occupation will not necessarily perform all of the tasks listed.

Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
Determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use.
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.
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.
Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.
Inspect final compositions in order to ensure completeness and accuracy.
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain, using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
Build and update digital databases.

INTERESTED?

Like people, occupations have traits or characteristics. These characteristics give important clues about the nature of the work and work environment, and give you an opportunity to match your own personal interests to a specific occupation. When you choose a job in an occupation that matches your own interests you have taken an important step in planning a successful and rewarding career.

The occupations of Cartographer have Conventional, Realistic, Investigative and Artistic characteristics as described below:

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.

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.

LICENSURE, REGISTRATION, OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Generally this is not required for Cartographer positions in state government.

EDUCATIONAL, TRAINING, AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Labor provides the following information:

Cartographers measure, map, and chart the earth's surface. Their work involves everything from performing geographical research and compiling data to actually producing maps. Cartographers collect, analyze, and interpret both spatial data—such as latitude, longitude, elevation, and distance—and nonspatial data—for example, population density, land-use patterns, annual precipitation levels, and demographic characteristics. They prepare maps in either digital or graphic form, using information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

Cartographers usually have a bachelor's degree in a field such as engineering, forestry, geography, or a physical science. Although it is possible to enter these positions through previous experience as a cartographic technician, nowadays most cartographic technicians have had some specialized postsecondary school training. With the development of GIS, cartographers and photogrammetrists need additional education and stronger technical skills—including more experience with computers—than in the past.

COMMONWEALTH COMPETENCIES

Competencies are a set of identified behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities that directly and positively impact the success of employees and the organization. Competencies can be observed and measured. When consistently demonstrated, competencies make employees particularly effective in their work. Competencies help lay out a road map to career success. You can use the Commonwealth Competencies to help improve your individual performance by adopting behaviors that make high performing employees successful in their jobs. In this way, you can use the Commonwealth Competencies for your further professional development.

The Commonwealth Competencies are:

Technical and Functional Expertise
Understanding the Business
Achieving Results
Serving the Customer
Teamwork
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
Leadership and Personal Effectiveness

The above competencies may be applied to employees throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. They can be rank-ordered by agencies and hiring managers to represent the needs of a specific job. The rank ordering will change depending upon the occupation, an organization's priorities, the actual job requirements, and the supervisor's preferences.

Career success is both about what you do (applying your technical knowledge, skills, and ability) and how you do it (the consistent behaviors you demonstrate and choose to use) while interacting and communicating with others. Hopefully, by studying the Commonwealth competencies, identifying your developmental opportunities, and working to refine your own competence, you can take charge of your career!

For additional information about the Commonwealth Competencies go to: http://jobs.state.va.us/cc_planningctr.htm. For the competencies, we first list the competencies and then define each. Finally, we list competency indicators; to describe what successful performance looks like.

COMMONWEALTH CAREER PATH

Career opportunities in the Commonwealth are not limited to moving “up” to the next highest role and pay band, changing positions, or to becoming a supervisor. That's because most roles describe a broad group of occupationally related positions that perform a range of work that requires increased knowledge and skills. For that reason, Commonwealth roles describe the career paths within the same or higher-level role for the same or different Career Group. The broad salary range and the Commonwealth's pay practices provide flexibility in recognizing career development and advancement. (Salary Structure)

For example: Cartographer

PAY BANDS	PRACTITIONER ROLES
3	Engineering Technician II
4	Engineering Technician III
5	Engineering Technician IV

Sample Career Path

Engineering Technician II

The Engineering Technician II role provides career tracks for cartographers performing at the journey level who apply technical skills in support of specialized tasks, phases and/or segments of a specialty-engineering project or assignment. Duties include drafting and sketching of engineering plans or maps; or other specialty activities to ensure accurate program execution and compliance with Department, State and Federal regulations and standards.

Engineering Technician III

The Engineering Technician III role provides career tracks for cartographer performing responsibilities ranging from advanced level to supervisory in support of a broad range of engineering specialty activities. Duties involve coordinating varied activities; performing engineering drafting and design work; providing technical assistance to others; and performing detailed reviews of engineering related projects.

Engineering Technician IV

The Engineering Technician IV role provides career tracks for cartographer who perform as experts and/or supervisors of technical specialty engineering support and/or coordination of research, planning, design, construction and/or rehabilitation of comprehensive engineering projects and activities. Duties range from ensuring that projects, programs and procedures are effectively and efficiently administered to providing practical technical expertise in making decisions in the review, analysis, coordination and delivery of a specialty engineering function.

ADDITIONAL OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

O*NET (Occupational Information Network)

http://online.onetcenter.org/gen_search_page

Virginia Employment Commission

http://www.alex.vec.state.va.us/

Career One Stop

http://www.careeronestop.org/

Virginia Career Resource Network

http://www.vacrn.net/

The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping

http://www.acsm.net