Cartographer job description

Job description of a Cartographer

Cartographers prepare maps, charts, and drawings from aerial photographs and survey data. They also conduct map research, developing new mapping techniques, and investigate topics such as how people use maps. They collect, evaluate, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

They research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for legal, social, political, educational, and design reasons. Cartographers work within a variety of areas, including publishing, government, surveying and conservation.

This Cartographer job description example includes the list of most important Cartographer duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Cartographer profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Cartographer Duties and Responsibilities

Cartographer job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

Design, maintenance and manipulation of geographical information (GI) databases;
Working with geographical information systems (GIS) to see, model and analyse landscape features;
Designing maps, graphics, illustrations and layouts;
Communicating information through the use of colour, symbols, style and other means;
Analysing and evaluating mappable information;
Liaising with surveyors and designers;
Researching, selecting and evaluating map source data for use in the preparation or revision of maps and charts to various scales;
Using desktop publishing packages to edit and formulate information;
Capturing, maintaining and outputting digital geographic data;
Keeping up to date with emerging specialist software;
Operating a photogrammetric plotting instrument or a digital photogrammetric workstation (DPW), which views the photographs stereoscopically, or in a 3D format;
Collating data provided by remote sensing techniques (the means by which spatial and environmental data about the earth are acquired by sensors located in satellites and aircraft);
Using computers to compile and produce graphs for specialist and general users;
Checking and appraising the content and accuracy of maps, charts and printing proofs;
Managing projects, staff and resources, particularly as seniority increases.
Generalising map data to allow for a reduction in scale (derived mapping);
Similar roles in this field are that of a photogrammatrist and a remote sensing scientist. Both these occupations involve the use of technology to analyse and interpret information.

Cartographer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Cartographer job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

A degree in a relevant subject, such as geography, earth science, surveying, graphic design, geophysics, computer science or geographical information systems (GIS).
Relevant work experience.
Meticulous attention to detail
Good IT and design skills

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Cartographer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Cartographer job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Cartographer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.

Cartographer Job Description

Job description of a Cartographer

Cartographer Duties and Responsibilities

Cartographer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

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