What Do Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists 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. They also compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.

Other tasks include:

• Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
• Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
• Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.
• Inspect final compositions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.
• Identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.

We asked Cartographers and Photogrammetrists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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97% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 80% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Cartographers and Photogrammetrists determine map content and layout, as well as production specifications such as scale, size, projection, and colors, and direct production to ensure that specifications are followed. They identify, scale, and orient geodetic points, elevations, and other planimetric or topographic features, applying standard mathematical formulas.

A typical day for a Cartographer and Photogrammetrist will also include:

• Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
• Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
• Collect information about specific features of the Earth, using aerial photography and other digital remote sensing techniques.
• Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
• Study legal records to establish boundaries of local, national, and international properties.

We asked some Cartographers and Photogrammetrists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	48% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	38% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	72% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	16% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	27% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Cartographers and Photogrammetrists also determine guidelines that specify which source material is acceptable for use. They may also revise existing maps and charts, making all necessary corrections and adjustments.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Cartographers and Photogrammetrists Examine and analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps, aerial-photograph mosaics, and related charts. They might also Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.

In addition, they Travel over photographed areas to observe, identify, record, and verify all relevant features.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.

To some Cartographers and Photogrammetrists, it is also their responsibility to Build and update digital databases.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Cartographer and Photogrammetrist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/cartographers-and-photogrammetrists.htm

http://www.aagsmo.org/

http://www.asprs.org/

http://www.nsps.us.com/