Cartographic Technicians

Cartographic Technician

GS-1371

Position Overview

Cartographic technicians at the Department of the Interior assist with preparing cartographic products, including digital maps and geospatial data. The work performed by cartographic technicians ensures that maps, diagrams, and data are of high quality and value to studies, land surveys, or development planning.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
National Park Service
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, is a continuous learner, and works well with others as part of a team.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in an office setting with occasional field work that may involve inclement weather or rugged terrain.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements and the Technical and Medical Support Positions Group Qualification Standard on the OPM websites.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Mid:

    • Digitizes, scans, creates, compiles, and drafts maps, diagrams, and data
    • Performs quality control to reduce or correct errors
    • Assists others in creating, editing, and correcting digital map or map information
    • Performs limited drafting work to prepare or modify maps

  • Journey:

    • Creates backups of digitized data
    • Assists others in providing technical support and training to staff
    • Assists others in creating, editing, and correcting digital maps or map information

  • Senior:

    • Prepares conventional maps, graphs, and illustrations
    • Performs digitizing to convert data into Geographic Information System (GIS) databases
    • Orients and outlines map features and details from aerial photos

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Strengths by Level

Mid 4-7
Journey 8-9
Senior 10-11
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Compliance
    Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Creative Thinking
    Uses imagination to develop new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to problems; designs new methods where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Information Management
    Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Organizational Awareness
    Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
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    Mid 4-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10-11

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

Compliance Inspection And Support

20%
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0963 - Legal Instruments Examining 20%

Where We Are

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