What does a Geospatial Analyst do?
A geospatial analyst specializes in analyzing aerial imagery to develop geographic data that provides essential information about a ground or land's condition. They can find employment in different fields and industries such as agriculture, urban planning, mining, and even military intelligence. Although the extent of their duties varies upon their organization of employment, they typically involve creating maps and reports that highlight essential information, identifying geographical elements and structures, and providing recommendations to solve different issues and concerns.
Geospatial analyst responsibilities
A geospatial analyst's responsibilities often involve collecting and analyzing diverse intelligence and geospatial data, creating visualization maps and figures, and providing imagery analysis. They may also draft intelligence reports, coordinate with military supervisors, and perform feature extraction and digitization. According to Dr. Mark Kulp, Professor at the University of New Orleans, "Individuals should make sure that they have some GIS/Geospatial software background and the more that they have the better. Individuals that can easily store, display and interpret large, complex datasets will be those who are most well equipped for entry-level positions." This includes tasks such as using ArcGIS, performing database maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Here are examples of responsibilities from real geospatial analyst resumes:
- Manage and analyze large amounts of LiDAR data for design and construction of transmission lines and substations.
- Implement and run python scripts and SQL queries to automate complex GIS processes and to extract specific information from data sets.
- Consider expert level user in ESRI ArcGIS 9.3 and 10.0 and all ESRI desktop extensions.
- Provide on-going reach back capability to NGA headquarters and the intelligence community (IC) at large.
- Develop, manipulate, and maintain NGA digital databases over regional areas of interest using ArcGIS and ArcSDE.
- Maintain data standards to support IC, IA, and SOF.
- Have created ArcGIS tools from these python scripts.
- Process GPS trajectories, performing cleanup algorithms, registering data, conducting QA/QC.
- Research opportunities to enhance location base GPS features of geographic mapping and additional services.
- Receive training in utilizing ArcGIS towards creating maps and determining elevation and grid azimuths.
- Experience with ArcSDE, PLTS reviewer; photo-interpretation, conducting open source and classify research.
- Provide input and feedback to briefings and utilize PowerPoint to prepare briefing slides for a wide variety of audiences.
- Ensure resolution of security issues by providing unit with access to products and information not readily available from NGA.
- Edit and maintain planning data in the SDE Geodatabase, also use ArcMap versioning and SQL tools as necessary.
- Develop terrain visualization products and briefings by analyzing the effects of weather and terrain on enemy and friendly courses of action.
Geospatial analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Geospatial Analysts are proficient in Geospatial Data, Geospatial Analysis, and Remote Sensing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Empathy, Good judgment, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Geospatial Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Geospatial Data, 9%
Collected diverse intelligence and geospatial data to produce and disseminate intelligence products, surveillance reporting, and foreign military threat identification.
- Geospatial Analysis, 9%
Performed geospatial analysis and visualization using infrastructure vectors on ArcGIS (Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System).
- Remote Sensing, 6%
Supervised the production of digital imagery and remote sensing products from multiple high resolution satellite data sources.
- Visualization, 5%
Created visualization maps and figures to show regional inequality in China.
- Python, 5%
Developed a series of automated GIS tools using Python to check in and export ArcSDE water utility data.
- Extraction, 5%
Performed feature extraction and digitization, feature and attribute manipulation, and file format conversion.
"geospatial data," "geospatial analysis," and "remote sensing" are among the most common skills that geospatial analysts use at work. You can find even more geospatial analyst responsibilities below, including:
Empathy. One of the key soft skills for a geospatial analyst to have is empathy. You can see how this relates to what geospatial analysts do because "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." Additionally, a geospatial analyst resume shows how geospatial analysts use empathy: "required thorough understanding and interpretation of government specifications for feature extraction and attribution. "
Good judgment. Many geospatial analyst duties rely on good judgment. "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems.," so a geospatial analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways geospatial analyst responsibilities rely on good judgment: "exploited ntm imagery using erdas imagine to ensure images contained good ground coverage and could be included into tigr. "
Leadership skills. geospatial analysts are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to geospatial analyst responsibilities, because "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." A geospatial analyst resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "provided instruction and mentoring to all source analyst and strike force leadership on sigint analytic tools and targeting techniques. "
Physical strength. For certain geospatial analyst responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a geospatial analyst rely on this skill, as "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what geospatial analysts do: "provided leadership and development to junior marines to ensure they are mentally and physically ready for combat deployment. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in geospatial analyst job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what geospatial analysts do. Geospatial analyst responsibilities rely on this skill because "police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident." You can also see how geospatial analyst duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "organize multiple geospatial databases to better prepare a basis of intelligence in terrain and communication analysis disseminated in mapping products. "
The three companies that hire the most geospatial analysts are:
- BAE Systems38 geospatial analysts jobs
- Leidos20 geospatial analysts jobs
- Prescient Edge15 geospatial analysts jobs
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Compare different geospatial analysts
Geospatial analyst vs. Intelligence specialist
An intelligence specialist is responsible for collecting and validating information for different operational functions to ensure its authenticity and accuracy before dissemination to the public and officials. Intelligence specialists analyze intelligence information and provide strategic recommendations to improve data gathering processes and distribution. They also maintain the security of reports on the database, working with technology professionals to develop security solutions to prevent unauthorized access and detail leaks until further notice of publicizing the information.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between geospatial analysts and intelligence specialist. For instance, geospatial analyst responsibilities require skills such as "geospatial data," "geospatial analysis," "python," and "extraction." Whereas a intelligence specialist is skilled in "security clearance," "ts/sci," "intelligence analysis," and "law enforcement." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Intelligence specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $90,046. On the other hand, geospatial analysts are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $61,931.The education levels that intelligence specialists earn slightly differ from geospatial analysts. In particular, intelligence specialists are 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a geospatial analyst. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Geospatial analyst vs. Criminal research specialist
A military intelligence analyst is responsible for evaluating national information and performing data analysis for security and safety purposes, as well as to investigate ongoing cases with the coordination of law enforcement officers. Military intelligence analysts strategize procedures for development according to the pieces of information gathered. They also write reports to discuss with the officials, ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of statements to support military objectives and goals for society's sake. Military intelligence analysts must be highly communicative and organizational and securely store information on databases and systems.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that geospatial analyst responsibilities requires skills like "geospatial data," "geospatial analysis," "remote sensing," and "visualization." But a criminal research specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "search results," "criminal background checks," "criminal justice," and "court research."
Criminal research specialists earn lower levels of education than geospatial analysts in general. They're 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Geospatial analyst vs. Military intelligence analyst
An all-source intelligence analyst is responsible for gathering and analyzing data to support various operations and business requirements. All-source intelligence analysts conduct investigations for certain people, potential threats, and other related information treated with the utmost confidentiality. They also verify intelligence data by checking sources, such as previous intelligence reports or coordinating with law enforcement agencies. An all-source intelligence analyst prepares comprehensive reports for the officers, maintains the security of the information in the database, and update intelligence findings for new findings and development.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a geospatial analyst is likely to be skilled in "geospatial data," "geospatial analysis," "remote sensing," and "visualization," while a typical military intelligence analyst is skilled in "combat," "intelligence support," "intelligence operations," and "threat analysis."
When it comes to education, military intelligence analysts tend to earn similar degree levels compared to geospatial analysts. In fact, they're 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Geospatial analyst vs. All source intelligence analyst
Types of geospatial analyst
Updated April 25, 2024
