GIS has grown to become a global need. This mapping technology has become increasingly prevalent. Businesses are depending more on location intelligence to help them make smarter decisions, medical practitioners are leveraging the technology to map the spread of diseases and biologists are using GIS to map the pattern of animal migration – just to name a few. Therefore, GIS professionals are qualified for jobs in a wide range of industries because they possess data visualization and spatial analytic skills. If you’ve ever been highly interested in this highly sought-after profession, now is your time to explore. Get to learn what GIS analysts do and their roles.

What is a GIS Analyst?

A GIS analyst is a hybrid career combining data analysis, cartography (the creation of maps), and programming. In other words, a GIS Analyst is a mapmaker who uses technology to develop digital representations of spatial and geographic data to compile data and produce digital maps. In actuality, the information an environmental GIS Analyst gathers is used for everything from figuring out delivery routes to observing wildlife behavior.

Roles and Responsibilities of a GIS Analyst

• utilizing mapping software to analyze geographical data and design digital maps
• using spatial data mapping to find patterns and trends
• creating digital maps using geographic information and other sources of data
• layering external data over topographical maps to create “shapefiles” that combine the two types of data
• creating maps that demonstrate the spatial distribution of different types of data, such as hospital sites and crime statistics
• creating mapping software and tools
• creating digital versions of actual maps for use on computers
• transforming data into the desired form, do data cleaning
• creating reports using data visualizations for geographic data
• managing a digital collection of different file kinds of maps

Skills for GIS Analyst

GIS analysts should possess the following skills:

• Be proficient in programming languages. GIS analysts possess a broad range of quantitative abilities. Most are adept at using programming languages like R or Python. Additionally, they may be familiar with front-end design languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and various mapping languages.

• Detail oriented and masterful to solving problems.  

• Strong interpersonal skills and effective written and verbal communication are required when working with colleagues from other fields.
• Organization skills. The workload of GIS analysts also greatly depends on organization. They frequently have the responsibility of managing a “geographical library,” where maps are saved, prepared as resources for reports, transformed into other forms, or sent as data across systems.
• Creative. Analysts create web applications and solutions to enhance information streams and be used on websites for corporate clients.

To learn more about this and other GIS careers, sign up for our training program https://www.esriea.com/training-capacity-building/