Remote Sensing Technicians

What the job really is

Apply remote sensing technologies to assist scientists in areas such as natural resources, urban planning, or homeland security. May prepare flight plans or sensor configurations for flight trips.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4099
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Collect geospatial data, using technologies such as aerial photography, light and radio wave detection systems, digital satellites, or thermal energy systems.
• Verify integrity and accuracy of data contained in remote sensing image analysis systems.
• Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data.
• Consult with remote sensing scientists, surveyors, cartographers, or engineers to determine project needs.
• Adjust remotely sensed images for optimum presentation by using software to select image displays, define image set categories, or choose processing routines.
• Manipulate raw data to enhance interpretation, either on the ground or during remote sensing flights.
• Merge scanned images or build photo mosaics of large areas, using image processing software.
• Participate in the planning or development of mapping projects.
• Prepare documentation or presentations, including charts, photos, or graphs.
• Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation.
• Calibrate data collection equipment.
• Develop or maintain geospatial information databases.

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Photoshop, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian JIRA, Autodesk AutoCAD, Bentley MicroStation, C, C#

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
• Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
• Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
• Geodetic Surveyors
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians
• Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
• Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Remote Sensing Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.