A GIS Developer is a professional who specializes in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, which combines geography with data to provide innovative ways of understanding our world. These developers play a vital role in creating, customizing, and implementing GIS applications for a wide range of industries. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for GIS Developers.

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Main Responsibilities of a GIS Developer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a GIS Developer:

Administer

Administer GIS servers for data sharing.

Analyze

• Analyze and visualize demographic data.

• Analyze GIS technical solutions that will satisfy the functional requirements.

• Analyze spatial relationships and patterns.

Assist in

• Assist in collecting user requirements, managing User Acceptance Testing, and performing deployments.

• Assist in data integrity and quality assurance activities to ensure application stability.

• Assist in developing project proposals, budget and schedule.

• Assist in land use planning and zoning.

• Assist in production of the second generation of the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System.

• Assist in the integration of Esri Roads and Highways and Agile Assets.

• Assist in the production of an EEA ArcGIS Hub site that highlights current EEA initiatives.

• Assist other teams with various, ad-hoc GIS requests.

• Assist the data science team in extract, transform and load (ETL) process of raw GIS data.

• Assist with back-end GIS development as needed.

Build

Build efficient and reusable frontend / mobile systems and abstractions.

Collect

Collect and organize geographical data from various sources.

Communicate

Communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.

Conduct

Conduct performance, unit, system, integration, and quality assurance testing of applications.

Configure

Configure and customize GIS software.

Contribute to

Contribute to product development by providing pragmatic solutions to business problems.

Convert

Convert diverse requirements to a system design.

Create

• Create and maintain technical documentation.

• Create custom GIS tools and plugins.

• Create GIS applications and interactive maps.

• Create three-dimensional representations of geographic data.

• Create visually appealing maps and infographics.

Define

Define, delegates, empowers and prioritizes related GIS activities within the team.

Design

• Design and deploy GIS software modules, code, and unit tests.

• Design and produce maps for various purposes.

• Design practices for relational and columnar databases.

Develop

• Develop and document GIS processes and procedures.

• Develop and implement new user interface, updating and enhancing dashboard functions.

• Develop and maintain custom applications, tools, and services in an Esri environment using.

• Develop code using the GIS tools (i.e., ESRI) selected by SSA.

• Develop customized web applications, web services, mobile, and enterprise solutions.

• Develop documentation for back-end applications and conduct training for technical users.

• Develop documentation for web-based applications and conduct training for end users.

• Develop geocoding and address-matching tools.

• Develop geoprocessing and GIS web services.

• Develop GIS solutions for disaster response.

• Develop GIS web editing / mapping applications.

• Develop, implement, and maintain change control and testing processes for modifications to software.

• Develop spatial queries for data retrieval.

• Develop, test and maintain complex reports using MicroStrategy application.

• Develop web-based mapping applications.

• Develop web mapping applications and geo-processing tools to support GIS.

Diagnose

Diagnose and resolve security and performance issues.

Ensure

• Ensure all systems (e.g. Arc Server) meet business and performance requirements.

• Ensure data quality and accuracy.

• Ensure that application architecture meets business requirements.

Estimate

Estimate work effort and proposes development solutions.

Find

Find and address performance issues.

Fulfill

Fulfill several project requests simultaneously while working in a fast-paced environment.

Identify

• Identify and communicate frontend / mobile best practices.

• Identify inefficiencies in current software and investigate solutions.

• Identify systems requirements provided by the agency.

Implement

• Implement Google Analytics for all Hub sites and configure dashboards in Google Data Studio.

• Implement new functionality, Usability and Usage Reports.

• Implement solutions using standard ESRI ArcGIS products and services and web-based solutions.

Incorporate

Incorporate GPS technology for data collection.

Integrate

Integrate geographic and attribute data into GIS systems.

Interface with

Interface with client to understand the business requirements and present test results.

Investigate

• Investigate alternative methods / tools to support visualization.

• Investigate and provides post implementation support of the technical solution implemented.

Lead

Lead design, development, and optimization of spatial databases and map services.

Maintain

• Maintain and support the application according to changing business requirements.

• Maintain existing applications / services.

Make

Make presentations and demos so that customers clearly understand the GIS application.

Manage

• Manage GIS databases and maintain data accuracy.

• Manage GIS development and technology strategies to support efforts for the client.

• Manage GIS projects from concept to completion.

• Manage natural and human resources using GIS.

• Manage stakeholder expectations regarding project status and provide a superior level of service.

Migrate

Migrate existing map applications to ESRI's javascript API 4.x.

Monitor

Monitor and Maintain ArcGIS Services and IIS.

Oversee

Oversee implementation of automated testing routines.

Participate in

• Participate in architecture and planning meetings and provide GIS expertise and consultation.

• Participate in code and document walkthroughs and peer reviews.

• Participate in design and code reviews.

• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly progress meetings.

Perform

• Perform data profiling and analysis for spatial and non-spatial data.

• Perform full lifecycle application development.

• Perform network analysis for transportation planning.

• Perform spatial analysis and modeling.

• Perform technology feasibility analysis.

Plan

Plan and coordinate software releases.

Prepare

Prepare and implement the technical solution to the production environment.

Provide

• Provide analysis of faults and develop patches for existing deployed solutions.

• Provide end user support and create support documentation.

• Provide technical assistance and support to other developers within the project team.

• Provide training to end-users of GIS applications.

Recommend

Recommend new technologies and techniques for application development.

Review

Review and implement options for mobile access for map-based data and tools.

Setup

Setup, deploy and maintain GIS servers using Geoserver and PostgreSQL.

Support

• Support testing efforts and resolution of issues found during testing.

• Support the specification, documentation and design of technical solutions.

Tailor

Tailor GIS solutions to specific industry needs.

Train

Train end users on GIS technologies related to web map application use.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot various GIS issues for a user base of over 100 users.

Understand

• Understand customer requirement and document.

• Understand customer requirements and develop the GIS application to meet business needs.

Upgrade

Upgrade and migrate existing applications / services to current version / systems architecture.

Use

Use GIS for environmental impact assessments.

Utilize

• Utilize open-source GIS tools and software.

• Utilize remote sensing data for analysis.

Work

• Work both independently and as part of the larger development team towards common goals.

• Work closely with other developers and architects.

• Work effectively in a team to develop high quality Geo-spatial solutions.

• Work with different coordinate systems.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a GIS Developer:

1. GIS Software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)

2. Programming Languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript)

3. Spatial Database Management (e.g., PostgreSQL/PostGIS)

4. Geospatial Data Formats (e.g., Shapefiles, GeoJSON)

5. Web Mapping Libraries (e.g., Leaflet, Mapbox)

6. Remote Sensing Software (e.g., ERDAS Imagine)

7. GPS Technology and Navigation Systems

8. Geocoding and Address-Matching Tools

9. GIS Data Collection Devices (e.g., GPS receivers)

10. Data Visualization Tools (e.g., Tableau)

11. Cartography and Map Design Software

12. Spatial Analysis Tools (e.g., Spatial Analyst in ArcGIS)

13. Project Management Software (e.g., JIRA)

14. Environmental GIS Tools (e.g., ENVI)

15. Open Source GIS Software (e.g., GRASS GIS)

16. 3D GIS Tools (e.g., CityEngine)

17. Network Analysis Software (e.g., Network Analyst in ArcGIS)

18. GIS Server Technologies (e.g., ArcGIS Server)

19. Spatial Query and Analysis Libraries

20. Custom GIS Tool Development Skills

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a GIS Developer:

1. Analytical Thinking

2. Problem-Solving

3. Attention to Detail

4. Communication and Presentation

5. Team Collaboration

6. Time Management

7. Adaptability and Flexibility

8. Project Management

9. Geographic Awareness

10. Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Conclusion

GIS Developers are integral in turning spatial data into valuable insights for a variety of applications, from urban planning to environmental conservation. By mastering the hard and soft skills outlined in this post, they can make informed decisions, develop effective GIS solutions, and contribute to a better understanding of our world.