Because job titles are not standardized across the industry, URISA compiled an extensive list of model job descriptions, which detail job responsibilities under various titles. Salary survey respondents were asked to read the descriptions and indicate which job title most closely matched their position. As expected, most respondents (78 percent) held GIS-related titles, with many having management responsibilities.
Director of Information Systems/Chief Information Officer (CIO)
The position requires a significant amount of experience and training in a wide range of information technology applications. A Master's degree is often a standard requirement.
Director of Geographic Information Systems/Geographical Information Officer (GIO)
The position heads the GIS department or the individuals assigned to GIS projects. All GIS personnel, including technicians, analysts, programmers, managers, etc., fall under the supervision and direction of the GIO. Directors usually need a Master's degree and extensive GIS and managerial training.
GIS Manager
A successful manager has a working knowledge of the agency's database and software, and, as in most technical fields, must have project oversight and staff supervision skills, a technical background and the skills to ensure project completion. The GIS manager also must coordinate GIS activities between different groups, agencies, departments or individuals.
GIS Coordinator
The coordinator falls just below the manager on the hierarchy of GIS professionals. Coordinators provide technical support to other agencies, individuals and governments. The coordinator handles all the data sharing, report and map generation, as well as meeting planning between departments.
GIS Specialist
The specialist, often in a team environment, provides customer and technical support under the direction of a GIS manager. Some specialists have an informal GIS background and are hired for their knowledge of a specific subject or function. The specialist helps send projects through the pipeline, coordinating the activities of the department with the goals and directives of an individual project.
GIS Systems Software Analyst/Programmer
Almost every programmer designs, creates, updates or manages GIS software applications. The programmer may also do GIS mapping, provide Internet and Web-based support, develop spatial and non-spatial databases, as well as provide technical support to other GIS professionals. The programmer knows a large number of programming languages and applications.
GIS Data Analyst
Analysts concentrate on data and programming, which demands proficiency with mapping and database software. The analyst's duties include a high amount of data conversion, application and implementation. The analyst makes practical sense out of processed data and then applies it to real world applications.
GIS Technician
Most of the duties assigned to the technician are routine, involving heavy amounts of database entry and management and generation of maps and plats from that data. Outside the main responsibilities of database management and mapping, the technician completes work relating to digitizing, math, surveying and technical writing.
IT/IS Manager
IT/IS managers oversee IS operations, including computer operations, technical support, systems analysis and programming. It is the top level IS job in small organizations (i.e., less than 1,000 employees and $200 million in revenues) and the second or third level job within large organizations. It usually requires an MIS degree and five to eight years of experience.
IT/IS Coordinator
The IT/IS coordinator monitors the quality of the data entry process throughout a single department or the entire organization. The coordinator must have a firm grasp on the types and locations of information system data and what project and tasks will benefit from the data.
IT/IS Systems Software Analyst/Programmer
An individual in this position analyzes, designs, codes, tests, implements, maintains and documents mainframe computer system software. The systems software analyst/programmer usually works on one or more specific software applications. It is a non-engineer position that usually requires a four-year degree and four to six years' relevant experience or equivalent.
