Halfway between geography and information technology, the geomatician places on a map geographic data that he has previously collected, processed and analyzed. Responsible for modeling the territory, it plays a vital role in the decision-making of its sponsors. So, ready to develop your territory?
A specialist in geographic information systems (GIS), the geomatics specialist creates and operates data base gathering maps, photos, topographic data, coordinates GPS, satellite images … From the information collected in the databases, the geomatician will produce thematic maps as well as spatial analyzes. Town planning, environment, transport, the geomatician intervenes in many sectors of activity and plays a capital role in decision-making. Thanks to his work, the flood zones, the areas served by public transport, the commercial zones, the new road infrastructures, the household waste collection route or the establishment of new electrical networks will be defined.
General public access to data and the development of applications or GPS open the way to new needs and develop new practices, access to online mapping.
What you will learn
The main skills and qualities to have
The geomatics specialist is versatile and must master several skills:
- Have great skills in statistics and spatial analysis;
- master computer science and database design;
- knowledge of mapping tools and software GIS;
- master the techniques of modelization ;
- have extensive legal and regulatory knowledge in their field of activity;
- knowing how to lead a team;
- know how to convince;
- be rigorous and precise;
- to showautonomy and have a spirit of initiative;
- know how to work in a team.
Work conditions
The geomatics specialist generally works in the public sector. However, positions in the private sector exist. He spends many hours at his desk to analyze and map the data, but also goes to the field to collect geographic information.
How to become a geomatician?
A bac + 2 to bac + 5 is required to practice the profession of geomatics specialist. Here is the possible route:
- BTS Professions of land surveyor and modeling digital ;
- License pro cartography, topography and geographic information systems, course Geographic information systems;
- Professional license Geomatics engineering for regional planning;
- License for cartography, topography and geographic information systems, processing of geographic information;
- Master in Geomatics, geomatics sciences in environment and planning;
- Master 1 Geomatics;
- Master 2 Geographic information: spatial analysis and remote sensing;
- master 2 Sustainable development, environmental and geomatics management;
- Master 2 Carthagéo;
- engineering school: ENSG for example.
The salary of a geomatics specialist
As a beginner, a geomatics specialist will receive a salary of between 1800 and 2500 euros gross monthly depending on his level of study. As a confirmed executive, his compensation may be between 3000 and 5000 euros gross per month, depending on his employer and his sector of activity.
The evolutionary perspectives of a geomatics specialist
If he is a senior technician, the geomatics specialist can progress to a position of project manager. If he is a GIS project manager, the geomatics specialist can move internally to a position of geomatics department manager, or technical architect. Finally, the geomatics specialist can choose to specialize in a sector of activity (transport, environment, regional planning, etc.) or on a type of map, for example online cartography.
Companies that employ geomatics specialists
- Local authorities;
- public establishments (Weather forecast France, ONF, CNRS);
- private companies (Thales, Veolia, Total, …);
- ESN;
- land surveyors or geomatics.
My job explained to my mother
Mom, my job is to draw up maps from geographic data gathered in data base. Thanks to this information, which I use and analyze, I play a crucial role in the establishment of new infrastructure or in urban planning. I show my sponsors, photo or card the support, what are the natural risk areas, what are the best places to build a new parking lot or a new shopping center, what is the best waste collection circuit … I must have a strong persuasive power to sometimes convince decision-makers to modify their initial project. Thanks to geographic information systems, I can map everything: polling stations, hiking trails, self-service bikes or an epidemic!
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