GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST TRAINEE (Common)
There is no civil service exam for Geographic Information Systems Specialist Trainee. As a non-competitive state or local title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.
The main requirement is a bachelor's degree. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $60,876 to $63,663.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →Where this title is used
Geographic Information Systems Specialist Trainee is a common title, so it is used in both State and local service. The local side is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, which set their own pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule.
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Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under close supervision of a higher level Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist or other supervisory official, as a trainee and productive worker, learns to and/or assists in performing professional GIS work relating to geographic analysis of environmental parameters and/or other factors, image processing, interpretation, and application of remote sensing data; learns to perform geographic data digitizing; learns to operate all computer hardware/software associated with the GIS; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Under close supervision, as a trainee and productive worker: Learns to and/or assists in performing data acquisition, data reformatting and application of GIS and image processing software (i.e., assigned classifications, feature enhancement, area calculation) for application to agency projects, activities, and issues. Prepares and verifies maps for digitization. Performs geographic data digitization and conventional data capture. Maintains plotter supplies and notifies supervisor when supplies need to be reordered. Learns to and/or assists in performing integration of satellite-acquired data with the agency GIS for analysis of spatial distributions and display of results as computer-generated maps and/or photographic images. Learns to and/or assists in performing data acquisition, taking measures to ensure quality control of conventional data capture; learns to design coding conventions to ensure compatibility with geographic files; learns to instruct users in data entry and editing procedures. May assist in coordination of the creation of SAS data bases from reformatted data files. Learns to operate the GIS and all associated hardware/software to display results of computer analysis, which cannot be economically prepared with conventional cartography, by applying cartographic principles in the production of finished maps. Learns to and/or assists in performing geographic analysis of the spatial distribution of environmental contaminants, which may affect public health and traffic generations. Learns to and/or assists in using image processing packages and other software on color graphics digital computer systems to interpret remote sensing data from satellites to solve problems in specific program areas. May assist in procurement of data, preparation for machine coding, editing to ensure accuracy of machine-readable data, and in verifying resulting data. May assist in application of mathematical analysis of computer-generated color graphics to ensure correct and effective use of color in the production of maps/graphs. Learns to provide hardware/software support for the GIS including training and assisting system users. Learns to and/or assists in the operation of a color graphics display computer as it is simultaneously linked to time-sharing computers to produce maps and remote sensing images. May assist in designing layout/features of all map, graph, and chart output products from the GIS using both computerized and manual cartographic techniques. Learns to and/or assists in research on modeling, computer graphic, and mathematical mapping techniques made possible by the GIS, and relates these directly to information needs. Maintains base map collection and library; conducts file management for digitized data. Prepares technical reports and correspondence. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Geography, Environmental Science, or related field with twelve (12) semester hours in computer mapping/GIS which shall have included spatial programming and digital image processing.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of cartography including mathematics of scale and projection transformation. Knowledge of geography and its applications to GIS. Knowledge of map/chart/graph preparation including graphic display and layout/design. Knowledge of computerized data entry and formatting, data base management, and data base utilization. Knowledge of all phases of computer map preparation, digitization, data transmission, and data reformatting. Ability to use computer operating systems including logon, logoff, system editor, moving between directories, listing directory contents, copying and deleting files, and listing printouts. Ability to learn to utilize specialized computer graphics hardware such as various plotters, raster graphics displays, and computers, and identify their advantages/disadvantages for production of specific map types. Ability to use state-of-the-art graphic reproduction methods including desktop publishing, digital typography, and graphic design software, after a period of training. Ability to understand techniques of computer image processing and map categorization of remote sensing data from aircraft and earth satellites. Ability to assist in work using different operating systems and database software utilized by a geographic information unit while pursuing complex geographic research. Ability to work with environmental quality and natural resource data. Ability to handle routine computer graphic hardware/software problems under guidance from a higher- level GIS specialist. Ability to transfer data from one operating system to another. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. ADVANCEMENT: Upon successful completion of the twelve (12) month training period, appointees will be eligible for advancement to Geographic Information Systems Specialist 3, in accordance with the New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to Geographic Information Systems Specialist 3 shall be considered as cause for separation.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. A master's degree in Geography or Environmental Science including or supplemented by the additional credits indicated above may be substituted if the applicant holds a bachelor's degree in another field.