How to Be Geospatial Systems Administrator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 2, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increasing demand for real-time data and geospatial solutions has led to an increased need for Geospatial Systems Administrators. This has resulted in the development of a specialized role that requires a high degree of technical skill and understanding of geospatial technologies. Through their expertise, Geospatial Systems Administrators are able to provide critical support for the implementation and maintenance of geospatial solutions.

Their knowledge of IT infrastructure and GIS software allows them to be responsible for the configuration and implementation of GIS applications, providing troubleshooting and problem-solving support, as well as performing updates and upgrades to ensure that the systems are running smoothly. In addition, Geospatial Systems Administrators maintain geospatial databases, ensuring data integrity and accuracy, as well as managing the security of the data. As a result, the demand for such professionals is expected to continue to rise in the coming years.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a geospatial systems administrator is to obtain a bachelor's degree in a related field such as geography, computer science, engineering, or a related field. This degree will provide you with the necessary education and skills to become a successful geospatial systems administrator.
Gain Work Experience. It is important to gain experience in the field of geospatial systems administration. This can be done through internships, volunteer work, and/or part-time jobs. These experiences will give you the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the field.
Get Certified. Certification in geospatial systems administration is beneficial and will give you an edge when applying for jobs. There are numerous certifications available, including Certified Geospatial Systems Administrator (CGSA) from the American Society for Geospatial Information Science (ASGIS).
Apply for Jobs. After you have obtained your degree, gained work experience, and become certified, you will be ready to apply for jobs as a geospatial systems administrator. Search for job postings online or attend job fairs to find available positions.
Stay Current with Technology. Geospatial systems administrators must stay up-to-date with the latest technology and trends in the field. Take courses, attend conferences, and read industry publications to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date.

Geospatial Systems Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining the accuracy and reliability of complex geographic information systems. To ensure a reliable and capable system, administrators must keep up with the latest technology advancements and best practices. They must understand how to configure and troubleshoot hardware and software components, how to maintain quality data, how to design and implement back-up and recovery strategies, and how to implement security protocols.

administrators must be familiar with the specific geographic information systems used in the organization and ensure that any changes to the system are properly documented. By keeping up-to-date with industry standards, understanding the organizations needs, and applying the appropriate technologies, Geospatial Systems Administrators can provide reliable and capable systems for their organization.

You may want to check Geospatial Software Developer, Geospatial Solutions Architect, and Geospatial Systems Analyst for alternative.

Job Description

Design and maintain geospatial systems infrastructure.
Install and configure GIS software, hardware, and peripherals.
Develop scripts, databases, and applications to automate geospatial tasks.
Analyze data and produce maps, reports, and other visualizations.
Create and maintain metadata for geospatial datasets.
Develop and maintain geospatial web services for data access and analysis.
Manage geospatial data sources and establish workflows for data acquisition and delivery.
Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues as needed.
Lead user training on geospatial technologies and best practices.
Provide technical support to users of geospatial systems.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of server and network infrastructure
Familiarity with geospatial systems, such as GIS, GPS, and remote sensing
Ability to configure and administer geospatial software and hardware
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, SQL, JavaScript, etc.
Understanding of geospatial data formats and standards
Ability to develop and maintain scripts for automating geospatial system processes
Knowledge of cloud-based geospatial solutions
Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
Understanding of industry best practices for geospatial system security
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose system issues
Excellent communication skills to effectively work with stakeholders

Geospatial systems administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining a variety of geographic information systems (GIS) and related technologies. As such, they need to have a strong technical aptitude and the ability to understand and use the latest GIS software and technologies. The most important skill for a geospatial systems administrator is the ability to think critically and solve complex problems.

In order to do this, they must have a good understanding of how GIS technology works, how it interacts with other systems, and how to troubleshoot any technical issues that arise. they must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with other departments in order to ensure that the GIS is properly utilized within their organization. Finally, geospatial systems administrators must stay up-to-date with the latest developments in GIS technology and be able to apply those developments to their organization's needs.

By having these skills, a geospatial systems administrator can ensure that their organization is able to take full advantage of GIS technology and its benefits.

Geospatial Project Manager, Geospatial Modeler, and Geospatial Mapping Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with geospatial systems, software, and analytics?
How would you go about configuring and deploying a geospatial system?
What is your approach to troubleshooting complex problems related to geospatial systems?
What experience do you have with automating geospatial projects and tasks?
What strategies do you use to ensure the security of a geospatial system?
How do you ensure that a geospatial system meets performance requirements?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in geospatial systems?
What experience do you have with developing documentation for this role?
Describe your experience working with vendors and stakeholders to develop and deploy geospatial systems.
How do you ensure that data integrity is maintained in a geospatial system?

Common Tools in Industry

GIS Software. A software application used to create, edit, analyze and store geographic data (eg: ArcGIS).
GPS Tracking Software. Software used to track the movements of personnel or objects through the Global Positioning System (GPS) (eg: Traccar).
Remote Sensing Software. Software used to capture and analyze data collected by satellites and aircraft (eg: ENVI).
Database Administration Tools. Software used to manage databases, such as those used in GIS systems (eg: Oracle).
Project Management Tools. Software used to facilitate project planning and management (eg: Microsoft Project).
Scripting Languages. Programming languages used to create and manipulate data sets (eg: Python).
Web Mapping Tools. Tools used to display geographic data on the web (eg: Leaflet).
Geospatial Data Visualization Tools. Tools used for visualizing and interpreting geospatial data (eg: Tableau).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society for Geospatial Professional (ASGP)
International Association of Geospatial Professionals (IAGP)
American Geographical Society (AGS)
Association of American Geographers (AAG)
Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
International Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (IGIF)
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF)
National Association of Government Web Professionals (NAGW)
GIS Certification Institute (GISCI)

We also have Geospatial Software Engineer, Geospatial Engineer, and Geospatial Data Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Geospatial Data Management. A set of tools and processes to store, manage, and analyze spatial data.
GIS (Geographic Information System). A computer-based tool for mapping, analyzing, and visualizing geographic data.
GPS (Global Positioning System). A satellite-based navigation system used to determine an exact location on the Earths surface.
Remote Sensing. The use of sensors and other instruments to capture data about the Earths surface from a distance.
Cartography. The science of making maps and other graphic representations of the Earths surface.
Geodatabase. A database used to store and manage spatial data.
Web Mapping. The use of internet technologies to create interactive map applications.
ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute). A leading provider of GIS software and services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Geospatial Systems Administrator? A1: A Geospatial Systems Administrator is a professional who is responsible for managing and maintaining a variety of geospatial applications, databases, and technologies used to store, analyze, and visualize geographical information. Q2: What type of skills are necessary for a Geospatial Systems Administrator? A2: A Geospatial Systems Administrator should possess strong technical knowledge and skills in areas such as GIS software, geospatial databases, remote sensing, and web mapping. They should also have an understanding of computer systems and networks, software development, and data management. Q3: What types of tasks does a Geospatial Systems Administrator typically perform? A3: A Geospatial Systems Administrator typically performs tasks such as designing and implementing geospatial databases and applications, managing data storage and retrieval, developing data models and maps, and configuring web-based mapping applications. Q4: How many years of experience are typically required to become a Geospatial Systems Administrator? A4: The amount of experience required to become a Geospatial Systems Administrator will vary depending on the position, but typically three to five years of experience in a related field is necessary. Q5: What type of salary can a Geospatial Systems Administrator expect to earn? A5: Salaries for Geospatial Systems Administrators can vary depending on experience, geographic location, and qualifications. According to Payscale.com, the average salary for a Geospatial Systems Administrator is $72,721 per year.