GIS Education for Mapping Professionals
Joseph Kerski
Cartographer, U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046 - MS 507, Denver CO 80225-0046 USA
Tel 303-202-4315
Fax 303-202-4137
Email: jjkerski@usgs.gov
Alan Ward
Training and Education Coordinator
U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046 - MS 507
Denver CO 80225-0046 USA
Tel 303-202-4497
Fax 303-202-4020
Email: amward@usgs.gov
Introduction
Improving employee literacy in the geographic information sciences is critical to the mission
of all cartographic organizations. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) instituted a geographic
information sciences training program at its Rocky Mountain Mapping Center (RMMC) in Denver,
Colo., USA. The purpose of this program was to ensure that employees at all levels of the
organization could access training to improve their knowledge, skills and proficiencies in the
geographic information sciences.
As one of four mapping centers within the U.S. Geological Survey's National Mapping
Division, RMMC personnel are responsible for gathering analog and digital spatial data, establish
mapping standards and conduct multidisciplinary environmental, geologic, biologic, geographic, and
hydrologic research. Driven by rapid changes in technology which have shifted customer
requirements, RMMC finds its cartographic role expanding to include spatial applications and
analysis in geography, geology, biology, and hydrology. Customers of USGS data demand
employees proficient in geographic information systems technology and applications such as global
positioning systems (GPS) and remote sensing.
Planning for the proposed training program included analyzing the following questions: (1)
What trends in mapping technology could be anticipated? (2) What were the benefits of increasing
the overall awareness and expertise of employees in the geographic information sciences? (3) What
was needed for Mapping Center personnel to begin to offer geospatial solutions to its customers
instead of physical data sets alone? and (4) Could a systematic training process in geographic
information science adequately support the increasing role of the USGS in integrated earth science
applications?
A shift in focus from automated mapping to earth science applications expertise was aligned
with the USGS National Mapping Division's (NMD) Strategic Plan. This plan identified geographic
information sciences as a core business area. In addition, rapidly increasing demand for digital
geospatial data to feed geographic information systems was considered a key issue facing the USGS
over the coming decade. A multiyear training program in the geographic information sciences
involving all levels of the organization would enable the RMMC to address these changing
requirements proactively.
The envisioned training program would need to challenge and motivate all employees,
regardless of job description and technical expertise, to increase their knowledge of the geographic
information sciences. Some employees would benefit merely from increased awareness, while others
were in a position to improve their working knowledge. Employees with extensive backgrounds in
the geographic information sciences could utilize classes in the program to develop additional
expertise and increase their knowledge base.
Forming A Team
Ten employees were selected for an education team that would develop a comprehensive
program to serve the learning needs of an educationally diverse workforce. Team members had a
variety of backgrounds in the geographic information sciences, ranging from research, program
management, and spatial data production to information distribution functions.
The Survey
An organizational survey was done to establish how employees were working with geospatial
data and to what degree. The survey also established how these data were being used and the types
of training that were needed. Responses were elicited not only from cartographers and cartographic
technicians but also from computer specialists, technical information specialists, customer service
representatives, and administrative personnel. The survey results indicated that all respondents used
computerized geospatial data in some form. Geospatial data use included vector, raster, imagery,
hardcopy, database, and various Internet formats. Employees surveyed reported that their external
and internal customers demanded knowledge in the areas of product availability, data applications,
software and hardware requirements, new products, technical specifications, and ordering
procedures.
The team met regularly over the next several months, designing a training program that
would provide an entry point into the geographic information sciences for employees regardless of
background. After management review and approval, this training process was named "The
Geographic Information Sciences Education Program." It was announced as an organization wide
initiative in October 1998.
The Program
Since the objective of this training program is to raise the literacy level in geographic
information sciences for the entire Mapping Center, it must offer an entry point for all employees,
regardless of technical background. With the wide variety of job titles and position descriptions,
including research and production cartographers, cartographic technicians, geographers, physical
scientists, information specialists, senior and middle level managers, supervisors, customer service
representatives, financial personnel, administrative personnel, secretaries, materials handlers, and
laborers, this was a challenging task. To ensure that all employees could find a starting point in this
education program, the team designed three levels of internal certification, creating a developmental
ladder in the geographic information sciences.
Beginning with the basic certification level, employees with little or no background can
improve their awareness of cartography, geography, and computers as a foundation to understanding
geospatial concepts. At the intermediate level, employees develop a working knowledge of
geospatial technology and become capable of applying specific geospatial software packages and
concepts. At the advanced level, employees gain advanced working knowledge and a chance to
sharpen their expertise in geospatial technology, including the use of specific software packages.
Each of the three levels offers core and elective classes from which employees can choose
(Appendix A).
