Unit Group

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.

Example Titles

aerial survey technician
cartographer
cartographic technician
geographic information systems (GIS) technician
map editor
mapping technician
photogrammetric technologist
photogrammetrist
remote sensing (RS) technician
softcopy photogrammetrist

View all titles

Main 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.

Classified elsewhere

• Airborne geophysical equipment operators (in 2212 Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians )
• Drafting Technologists and Technicians (2253)
• Engineering technologists and technicians who apply geotechnical and topographical information to land use and urban planning (in 2231 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians )
• Geomatics engineers and surveying engineers (in 2131 Civil Engineers )
• Land Surveyors (2154)
• Land Survey Technologists and Technicians (2254)