Remote Sensing Technicians
19-4099.03
Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips.
Sample of reported job titles: Digital Cartographic Technician, Geospatial Extractor, Meteorologist Liaison, Research Associate
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems.
- Verify integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems.
- Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data.
- Consult with remote sensing scientists, surveyors, cartographers, or engineers to determine project needs.
- Adjust remotely sensed images for optimum presentation by using software to select image displays, define image set categories, or choose processing routines.
- Manipulate raw data to enhance interpretation, either on the ground or during remote sensing flights.
- Merge scanned images or build photo mosaics of large areas, using image processing software.
- Participate in the planning or development of mapping projects.
- Prepare documentation or presentations, including charts, photos, or graphs.
- Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation.
- Calibrate data collection equipment.
- Develop or maintain geospatial information databases.
- Monitor raw data quality during collection, and make equipment corrections as necessary.
- Maintain records of survey data.
- Operate airborne remote sensing equipment, such as survey cameras, sensors, or scanners.
- Evaluate remote sensing project requirements to determine the types of equipment or computer software necessary to meet project requirements, such as specific image types or output resolutions.
- Collect verification data on the ground, using equipment such as global positioning receivers, digital cameras, or notebook computers.
- Document methods used and write technical reports containing information collected.
- Develop specialized computer software routines to customize and integrate image analysis.
- Collaborate with agricultural workers to apply remote sensing information to efforts to reduce negative environmental impacts of farming practices.
- Collect remote sensing data for forest or carbon tracking activities involved in assessing the impact of environmental change.
- Provide remote sensing data for use in addressing environmental issues, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software - Agisoft Metashape; Calibration software; CloudCompare; Common MASINT Exploitation Tool COMET; Corpscon; Definiens Developer; FLIR Thermal Studio Suite; GeoCue LIDAR and drone mapping software; GeoCue PointVue LE; Kitty Hawk; Laser imaging detection and ranging LIDAR system; Litchi; LP360; Opticks; Pix4D Pix4Dmapper; SAS π₯; Terrasolid TerraScan; The MathWorks MATLAB π₯; UgCS
- Application server software - GitHub π₯
- Aviation ground support software - ArduPilot Mission Planner
- Charting software - Aeronautical charts
- Cloud-based management software - Splunk Enterprise π₯
- Clustering software - VMware
- Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD π₯; Bentley MicroStation π₯; Mathsoft Mathcad
- Customer relationship management CRM software - Salesforce software π₯
- Data base management system software - Microsoft SQL Server π₯; MySQL π₯
- Data base user interface and query software - Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 π₯; Amazon Web Services AWS software π₯; Microsoft Access π₯; Oracle Database π₯; ServiceNow π₯; Structure query language SQL; Structured query language SQL π₯
- Data mining software - Google Analytics π₯
- Development environment software - Interface definition language IDL; Microsoft .NET Framework π₯; Microsoft Azure software π₯; Microsoft PowerShell π₯; Microsoft Visual Studio π₯; Verilog
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; SAP software π₯
- Expert system software - Ansible software π₯
- File versioning software - Git π₯
- Geographic information system - ESRI ArcCatalog; ESRI ArcGIS software π₯; ESRI ArcMap; ESRI ArcView 3D Analyst; Geographic information system GIS systems
- Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software π₯; Adobe Photoshop π₯; Microsoft Image Composite Editor
- Internet browser software - Web browser software
- Map creation software - Applied Imagery Quick Terrain Modeler; BAE Systems SOCET SET; ESRI Site Scan for ArcGIS; ITT Visual Information Solutions ENVI; Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE; OpenDroneMap
- Mobile location based services software - Global positioning system GPS software
- Object or component oriented development software - C# π₯; C++ π₯; Oracle Java π₯; Perl π₯; Python π₯; R π₯
- Office suite software - Microsoft Office software π₯
- Operating system software - Linux π₯; Magellan Firmware; Microsoft operating system; Microsoft Windows π₯; Microsoft Windows Server π₯; Shell script π₯; UNIX π₯; UNIX Shell π₯
- Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
- Program testing software - Debugging software
- Project management software - Airdata; Atlassian Confluence π₯; Atlassian JIRA π₯; Microsoft Project π₯
-
Spreadsheet software -
Microsoft Excel
- Web platform development software - AJAX π₯; Cascading style sheets CSS π₯; Hypertext markup language HTML π₯; Hypertext preprocessor PHP; JavaScript π₯; jQuery π₯; React 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
- Collect geographical or geological field data.
- Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.
- Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
- Create images or other visual displays.
- Analyze geological or geographical data.
- Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
- Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
- Develop technical or scientific databases.
- Record research or operational data.
- Operate laboratory or field equipment.
- Collect environmental data or samples.
- Communicate results of environmental research.