Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
19-2099.01
Apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, or homeland security. May develop new sensor systems, analytical techniques, or new applications for existing systems.
Sample of reported job titles: Geospatial Intelligence Analyst, Image Scientist, Remote Sensing Analyst, Remote Sensing Scientist, Research Scientist, Scientist, Sensor Specialist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.
- Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
- Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.
- Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
- Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
- Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
- Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.
- Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
- Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information.
- Collect supporting data, such as climatic or field survey data, to corroborate remote sensing data analyses.
- Monitor quality of remote sensing data collection operations to determine if procedural or equipment changes are necessary.
- Train technicians in the use of remote sensing technology.
- Set up or maintain remote sensing data collection systems.
- Direct all activity associated with implementation, operation, or enhancement of remote sensing hardware or software.
- Attend meetings or seminars or read current literature to maintain knowledge of developments in the field of remote sensing.
- Conduct research into the application or enhancement of remote sensing technology.
- Recommend new remote sensing hardware or software acquisitions.
- Use remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities to assess the impact of environmental change.
- Develop automated routines to correct for the presence of image distorting artifacts, such as ground vegetation.
- Develop new analytical techniques or sensor systems.
- Participate in fieldwork.
- Apply remote sensing data or techniques, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection, to address environmental issues.
- Direct installation or testing of new remote sensing hardware or software.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software - Agisoft Metashape; Calibration software; CloudCompare; FLIR Thermal Studio Suite; Kitty Hawk; Litchi; LP360; Pix4D Pix4Dmapper; RSI ENVI; The MathWorks MATLAB π₯; UgCS
- Application server software - Apache HTTP Server; Docker π₯; GitHub π₯
- Aviation ground support software - ArduPilot Mission Planner
- Business intelligence and data analysis software - Tableau π₯
- Charting software - Aeronautical charts
- Cloud-based management software - Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation π₯
- Computer based training software - Learning management system LMS
- Configuration management software - Puppet π₯
- Customer relationship management CRM software - Customer relationship management CRM software; Salesforce software π₯
- Data base management system software - Amazon DynamoDB π₯; Apache Hadoop π₯; Apache Hive π₯; Elasticsearch π₯; Microsoft SQL Server π₯; MySQL π₯; NoSQL π₯
- Data base user interface and query software - Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 π₯; Amazon Redshift π₯; Amazon Web Services AWS software π₯; Oracle Database π₯; Structured query language SQL π₯
- Development environment software - Apache Kafka π₯; C π₯; Go π₯; Interface definition language IDL; Microsoft Azure software π₯; Microsoft Visual Studio π₯; Ruby π₯
- Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook π₯
- Enterprise application integration software - Extensible markup language XML π₯
- Expert system software - Ansible software π₯
- File versioning software - Git π₯
- Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software π₯
- Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software π₯; Image processing software; Microsoft Image Composite Editor
- Internet browser software - Web browser software
- Map creation software - BAE Systems SOCET GXP; ESRI Site Scan for ArcGIS; Gamma remote sensing software; Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE; OpenDroneMap; PCI Geomatics Geomatica
- Medical software - Epic Systems π₯; Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Mobile location based services software - Global positioning system GPS software
- Object or component oriented development software - C# π₯; C++ π₯; Objective C π₯; Oracle Java π₯; Perl π₯; Python π₯; R π₯; Scala π₯; Swift π₯
- Object oriented data base management software - PostgreSQL π₯
-
Office suite software -
Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software - Bash π₯; Linux π₯; Microsoft Windows π₯; UNIX π₯
- Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
- Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio π₯
- Program testing software - Selenium π₯
- Project management software - Airdata; Atlassian JIRA π₯; Microsoft Project π₯
-
Spreadsheet software -
Microsoft Excel
- Storage networking software - Amazon Simple Storage Service S3 π₯
- Video creation and editing software - YouTube
- Web platform development software - Hypertext preprocessor PHP; JavaScript π₯; JavaScript Object Notation JSON π₯; Node.js π₯; Ruby on Rails π₯
- Word processing software - Microsoft Word π₯
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze geological or geographical data.
- Record research or operational data.
- Create images or other visual displays.
- Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
- Compile geographic or related data.
- Develop environmental research methods.
- Develop technical or scientific databases.
- Collect geographical or geological field data.
- Collect environmental data or samples.
- Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
- Set up laboratory or field equipment.
- Direct technical activities or operations.
- Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
- Attend conferences or workshops to maintain professional knowledge.
- Evaluate new technologies or methods.
- Advise others on the development or use of new technologies.
- Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
- Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.