Geospacial Mapping and Science Specialist (Degree)
Occupation Overview
Interpreting and analysing geospatial data (data relating to geographic position on the earth’s surface)
Occupation
Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialists interpret and analyse geospatial data (data relating to geographic position on the earth’s surface) and use leading edge digital technology such as laser scanning, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing and imagery. They provide data analysis and advice for mapping, satellite navigation systems (Satnavs), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), infrastructure, the identification of local, suburban or international boundaries, military, mining and a wide range of other purposes.
Specific duties are to interpret, manipulate and analyse geospatial information, data and measurement using a wide range of innovative technologies and to provide strategic advice and recommendations based on this analysis. Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialists can work in either the public or private sector and employers include consultants, contractors, rail operators, government, the military, mapping companies, suppliers of computer based mapping technology, Geographic Information Systems and Building Information Modelling, utilities companies and a range of others. This apprenticeship consists of a core and options and apprentices are required to select one option depending upon their job role.
Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialists can specialise in:
- Geospatial engineering involving the creation of complex layers of interconnected geographic information for urban development including roads, buildings, bridges and offshore construction
- Hydrography involving the surveying and charting of water, such as seabeds, harbours, lakes and rivers
- Utilities involving the identification and labelling of underground public utilities such as lines for telecommunication, electricity distribution, natural gas, cable television, fiber optics, traffic lights, street lights, storm drains, water mains, and waste water pipes.
- Geospatial surveying involving the mapping of land, boundaries and land registration
Core Skills
Skill
What is required
Cadastre (land boundaries) and land management
Undertake and manage boundary and/or cadastral surveys adopting appropriate scales and selecting appropriate supporting documentation. Use and interpret aerial photography and digital imagery.
Advanced geospatial technology
Identify, assess and source datasets from a range of technologies (including laser scanning, remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems) to meet client requirements and assess quality and fitness for purpose
Advanced mapping and
measurement
Use the primary data capture techniques ensuring accuracy and precision, use appropriate co-ordinate systems, datums, transformations and projections.
Geospatial data management and analysis
Analyse and manage geospatial data including plan, map and legal data and ensure security of data. Retrieve and analyse data from manual and electronic sources.
Health and safety
Ensure safe and secure working environments and manage risk appropriately
Law of land and sea
Apply law and regulations relating to land and/or sea and ensure compliance
Sustainability
Manage activities in a way that contributes positively to sustainability and implements best practice. Apply the principles of ‘One Planet Living’ and appropriately balance social, economic and environmental objectives.
Personal effectiveness
Respond appropriately to client requirements, supervise tasks and others, adopt a strong safety culture and ensure effective conflict avoidance.
Effectively manage projects and tasks to specified programmes, targets and budgets and show independent judgement and responsibility
Knowledge
What is required – Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialists will require a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of:
Cadastre (land boundaries)
and land management
Field and office procedures for boundary and/or cadastral surveys.
Understand legal and physical land boundaries and legal title
Advanced geospatial
technology
The principles of geospatial technologies including remote sensing, laser scanning and Geographic Information Systems
Advanced mapping and measurement
Primary data capture techniques and the importance of accuracy and precision, including the use of electronic distance measurement, automatic levels, lasers and other instrumentation
Geospatial data management
and analysis
How to analyse and manage geospatial data. Interpretation of plan and map data and legal documents. Holding, retrieving and security of data.
Geodesy
The principles of geodesy including co-ordinate systems, transformations, projections, datums and their importance
Health and safety
How to ensure safe and secure working environments for self and others and the principles of managing risk.
Law of land and sea
The law and regulations and the role of legal advisers relating to land and sea
Sustainability
How to embed sustainability into your work and best practice principles including the principles of ‘One Planet Living’, balancing economic, environmental and social objectives, minimising energy use, using sustainableconsumables, use of appropriate equipment to minimise carbon emissions
Personal effectiveness
Understanding client requirements, how to supervise tasks and others, safety and conflict avoidance. How to manage projects and tasks to specified programmes, targets and budgets
Behaviours
What is required
Provide a high standard of service
Provide the best possible advice, support or performance of agreed terms of engagement with attention to detail. Show commitment to Continuing Professional Development for self and others
Act in a way that promotes trust in the profession
Act in a professional and positive manner at all times
Treat others with respect
Treat everyone with courtesy, politeness and respect and consider cultural sensitivities and business practices
Take responsibility
Always act with skill, care and diligence and deal with any complaint in an appropriate professional manner.
Act with integrity
Always be trustworthy, open and transparent. Respect client confidentiality and provide professional, unbiased advice
Optional knowledge and skills
Apprentices to take ONE of the following options dependent upon their job role.
Geospatial engineering
Knowledge
What is required
Understanding of the principles of setting out, 3 dimensional machine control, deformation monitoring (changes in shape of structures due to stresses from weight), drawings and plans
Skill
Undertake setting out (marking out plans on site) , prepare data for 3 dimensional machine control, deformation monitoring and as built surveys.
Analyse construction drawings and plans to review the structural stability of proposed construction
Hydrography
What is required
Knowledge
Understand the principles and limitations of hydrographic survey including methods of collection, analysis, quality control and processing and
presentation of hydrographic data
Skill
Undertake hydrographic surveys including assessment of survey requirements, equipment specifications and suitability. Taking responsibility for the survey of a body of still or running water, related shoreline or underwater features, in accordance with client requirements and the approved specification. Analysing
data collected, presenting survey findings and advising clients
Utilities
What is required
Knowledge
Understanding of the law, regulation and geospatial data requirements to
trace, identify and map underground utilities and service routes.Understanding of electrical and electromagnetic theory.
Skill
Collect appropriate, accurate, geospatial data to trace, identify and map underground utilities and service routes such as telecommunications, electricity distribution, natural gas, storm drains or water mains. Use of relevant technologies including radio frequency locators and ground penetrating radar
Geospatial Surveying
What is required
Knowledge
Understand how to specify, plan and undertake surveys using appropriate instrumentation including a theodolite and a total station.
Skills
Identify the reasons for the survey, the client’s requirements, equipment required, the area to be surveyed, the detail and accuracy required, the grid and datum the survey will relate to and how the data is to be presented.
Undertake surveys using appropriate instrumentation including a theodolite and a total station. Evaluate information to meet client requirements and explain complex survey issues such as 3D modelling and visualisation, boundary issues and the impact of survey findings on construction plans to clients.
Entry
The entry requirement for the apprenticeship will typically be a minimum of three Alevels at Grade C or higher or their equivalent or a relevant Level 3 apprenticeship in a construction or property related discipline but the final decision is that of each employer.
Level
This Apprenticeship Standard is at Level 6.
Duration
This apprenticeship will typically be undertaken over five years.
Qualifications
Successful apprentices will gain a BSc/BSc(Hons) in a geospatial science subject that is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors. Apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.
Professional registration
The apprenticeship will provide the knowledge, skills and behaviours to apply to become Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.
Review date
This Apprenticeship Standard will be reviewed after three years.
Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.
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