Geographic Information Systems Technicians
SOC: 15-1199.05 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)
Assist scientists, technologists, or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.
AI Impact Summary
Geographic Information Systems Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 46/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2038 and 2046. Of 19 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 22.4%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Geographic Information Systems Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Programming
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
19 tasks analyzed
Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications.
Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to identify spatial relationships or display results of analyses, using maps, graphs, or tabular data.
Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data.
Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation.
Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software.
Design or coordinate the development of integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial or non-spatial databases.
Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information.
Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications.
Interpret aerial or ortho photographs.
Recommend procedures or equipment or software upgrades to increase data accessibility or ease of use.
Confer with users to analyze, configure, or troubleshoot applications.
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems.
Transfer or rescale information from original photographs onto maps or other photographs.
Confer with biologists or other researchers in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to define wildlife areas or corridors for land use planning.
Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to determine the best locations for renewable energy sites, including solar or wind energy installations.
Participate in projects that map changes in carbon emissions levels across different geographic locations, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data.
Apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data in transportation routing settings to determine the best routing to reduce pollution or energy consumption.
Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data for use in urban planning applications that promote better land use or reduce environmental impacts of development.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design or prepare graphic representations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, using GIS hardware or software applications. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 8% |
| Maintain or modify existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 8% |
| Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to identify spatial relationships or display results of analyses, using maps, graphs, or tabular data. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 8% |
| Enter data into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, using techniques such as coordinate geometry, keyboard entry of tabular data, manual digitizing of maps, scanning or automatic conversion to vectors, or conversion of other sources of digital data. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 10% |
| Review existing or incoming data for currency, accuracy, usefulness, quality, or completeness of documentation. | Routine Cognitive | 80 | 81.2 | 8% |
| Perform geospatial data building, modeling, or analysis, using advanced spatial analysis, data manipulation, or cartography software. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 8% |
| Design or coordinate the development of integrated Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial or non-spatial databases. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 6% |
| Select cartographic elements needed for effective presentation of information. | Non-Routine Analytical | 60 | 51.0 | 5% |
| Provide technical support to users or clients regarding the maintenance, development, or operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, equipment, or applications. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 40 | 31.0 | 5% |
| Interpret aerial or ortho photographs. | Non-Routine Analytical | 85 | 61.0 | 4% |
| Recommend procedures or equipment or software upgrades to increase data accessibility or ease of use. | Non-Routine Analytical | 55 | 49.0 | 2% |
| Confer with users to analyze, configure, or troubleshoot applications. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 35 | 29.0 | 3% |
| Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, equipment, or systems. | Non-Routine Analytical | 50 | 47.0 | 3% |
| Transfer or rescale information from original photographs onto maps or other photographs. | Routine Cognitive | 90 | 85.2 | 3% |
| Confer with biologists or other researchers in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to define wildlife areas or corridors for land use planning. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 30 | 27.0 | 3% |
| Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to determine the best locations for renewable energy sites, including solar or wind energy installations. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 4% |
| Participate in projects that map changes in carbon emissions levels across different geographic locations, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 4% |
| Apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data in transportation routing settings to determine the best routing to reduce pollution or energy consumption. | Non-Routine Analytical | 80 | 59.0 | 4% |
| Analyze Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data for use in urban planning applications that promote better land use or reduce environmental impacts of development. | Non-Routine Analytical | 65 | 53.0 | 4% |
Community Assessment
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