{ "apiVersion": "v1", "collection": "roles", "count": 4, "records": [ { "id": "gis-technician", "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-10-22", "title": "GIS technician", "aliases": [ "mapping technician", "gis operator", "data technician" ], "summary": "A hands-on role focused on keeping spatial data usable and producing reliable maps or data outputs. The title and balance of work vary by employer; use the position description to confirm scope.", "tasks": [ "Import, edit and maintain spatial layers", "Check geometry, attributes, coordinate systems and data quality", "Prepare maps, extracts and routine reports", "Respond to requests from GIS users and record what changed" ], "skills": [ "Careful data handling and quality checking", "Basic GIS concepts, projections and metadata", "Clear communication and documenting repeatable work" ], "tools": [ "Desktop GIS such as ArcGIS Pro or QGIS", "Spreadsheets and, in some teams, SQL or scripting" ], "workplaces": [ "Local and central government", "Consultancies and utilities", "Research, environment and community organisations" ], "questions": [ "How much of the role is data maintenance, mapping, field work or user support?", "Which GIS and data tools does the team use, and what onboarding or training is available?", "Who reviews early work and gives feedback on data quality?" ], "relatedRoleIds": [ "spatial-analyst", "data-steward" ], "sources": [ { "label": "LINZ — Working in New Zealand’s geospatial industry", "url": "https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/location-information/geospatial-capability/working-new-zealands-geospatial-industry" }, { "label": "LINZ — Studying GIS and graduate profiles", "url": "https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/location-information/geospatial-capability/studying-gis" } ], "url": "https://guide.pm4gis.nz/roles/gis-technician/" }, { "id": "spatial-analyst", "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-10-22", "title": "Spatial analyst", "aliases": [ "gis analyst", "spatial modelling", "spatial analysis" ], "summary": "Uses location-based data and methods to answer questions, compare places and explain patterns. Analysis work can range from routine reporting to modelling; the role description should name the decisions it supports.", "tasks": [ "Combine and prepare spatial and non-spatial datasets", "Choose and document analysis methods appropriate to the question", "Check assumptions, spatial scale, uncertainty and data limitations", "Explain findings through maps, tables or written advice" ], "skills": [ "Spatial reasoning and data quality assessment", "Statistics or domain methods relevant to the workplace", "Explaining methods and uncertainty to non-specialists" ], "tools": [ "ArcGIS Pro or QGIS", "SQL and, in some roles, Python or R", "Cartographic and reporting tools" ], "workplaces": [ "Councils and central government", "Environment, transport, health and infrastructure teams", "Consultancies and research groups" ], "questions": [ "What decisions or services does the analysis inform?", "What onboarding is provided for the data, software and subject area?", "Who reviews methods and results, and how is uncertainty communicated?" ], "relatedRoleIds": [ "gis-technician", "geospatial-developer", "data-steward" ], "sources": [ { "label": "LINZ — Working in New Zealand’s geospatial industry", "url": "https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/location-information/geospatial-capability/working-new-zealands-geospatial-industry" }, { "label": "Careers New Zealand — Geospatial specialist profile", "url": "https://www.careers.govt.nz/searchresults?q=geospatial" } ], "url": "https://guide.pm4gis.nz/roles/spatial-analyst/" }, { "id": "geospatial-developer", "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-10-22", "title": "Geospatial developer", "aliases": [ "gis developer", "web gis", "mapping apps" ], "summary": "Builds or connects tools that use spatial data, from web maps and APIs to data pipelines and internal applications. The balance between software engineering and GIS analysis differs by team.", "tasks": [ "Build or maintain applications that display or process spatial data", "Connect APIs, databases and GIS services", "Automate repeatable data workflows and add tests", "Work with analysts and users to turn requirements into usable tools" ], "skills": [ "Software development and debugging", "Spatial formats, services and coordinate-system concepts", "Security, accessibility and clear technical documentation" ], "tools": [ "A programming language and version control", "Web mapping libraries or GIS APIs where relevant", "SQL and spatial databases in some teams" ], "workplaces": [ "Geospatial software and consultancy teams", "Government digital and data teams", "Organisations building internal mapping applications" ], "questions": [ "How much work is product development, data engineering or GIS support?", "What onboarding or mentoring is available for the codebase and GIS context?", "How are code changes tested and reviewed?" ], "relatedRoleIds": [ "spatial-analyst", "data-steward" ], "sources": [ { "label": "LINZ — Working in New Zealand’s geospatial industry", "url": "https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/location-information/geospatial-capability/working-new-zealands-geospatial-industry" }, { "label": "LINZ — New Zealand GIS and geospatial groups and networks", "url": "https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/location-information/geospatial-capability/new-zealand-gis-and-geospatial-groups-and-networks" } ], "url": "https://guide.pm4gis.nz/roles/geospatial-developer/" }, { "id": "data-steward", "contentUpdatedAt": "2026-10-22", "title": "Spatial data steward", "aliases": [ "data custodian", "gis data management", "metadata" ], "summary": "Helps keep spatial records understandable and usable through clear ownership, metadata, quality processes and access rules. In some teams this work sits within GIS, data management, records or governance roles.", "tasks": [ "Document datasets, custodianship, coverage and limitations", "Coordinate quality checks and issue resolution", "Maintain access, licensing and publication practices", "Help teams understand data lineage and change history" ], "skills": [ "Metadata and data-quality practice", "Stakeholder coordination and clear written guidance", "Understanding access, privacy, licensing and governance requirements" ], "tools": [ "Catalogue or metadata systems", "GIS and database tools", "Issue tracking and documentation workflows" ], "workplaces": [ "Councils and central government", "Research and infrastructure organisations", "Consultancies, utilities and data platform teams" ], "questions": [ "Who owns data quality and who approves publication?", "What support is available for learning local governance, access and metadata processes?", "How are access requests, corrections and version history handled, and who reviews quality decisions?" ], "relatedRoleIds": [ "gis-technician", "spatial-analyst", "geospatial-developer" ], "sources": [ { "label": "LINZ — Working in New Zealand’s geospatial industry", "url": "https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/location-information/geospatial-capability/working-new-zealands-geospatial-industry" }, { "label": "LINZ — New Zealand GIS and geospatial groups and networks", "url": "https://www.linz.govt.nz/our-work/location-information/geospatial-capability/new-zealand-gis-and-geospatial-groups-and-networks" } ], "url": "https://guide.pm4gis.nz/roles/data-steward/" } ] }