A GIS technician provides geographic-based information services for employers. These services include gathering, storing, analyzing and mapping geographic data by using the computer. This technician also applies GIS-based spatial analysis techniques for the query and display of geographical data.
Technicians can also write computer programs.
GIS is now used extensively in government, business, and industry for a wide range of applications including environmental resource analysis, land use planning, locational analysis, tax appraisal, utility and infrastructure planning, real estate analysis, marketing and demographic analysis, habitat studies and archaeological analysis. The State of Michigan Civil Service has established new categories of GIS Technician and GIS Scientist. According to all available information, this area of employment will see considerable growth. Because of the expanded use of GIS, this technician could now be employed in engineering firms, federal, state and local governments, mining and petroleum exploration companies, utilities and planning, the military, and universities and colleges. To the extent that GIS is involved with urban transportation forecasting, transportation networks, economic activity and other characteristics of social environments, such systems are a valuable tool for the auto industry.