Skill Set of a GIS Technician GeoTech MetaDACUM GEOED Louisville, KY June 23, 2010 Mike Rudibaugh, Ph.D. Co-PI NSF GeoTech Center Geography/GIS Instructor Lake Land College

What is the GeoTech Center? ▫Resource center for community colleges in developing geospatial technology ▫NSF-ATE Program  1. Curriculum  2. Faulty Professional Development  3. Student Recruitment  4. Workforce Studies  5. Hardware/Software

Scanning the GST Landscape Using the College Program Research Database Scanning the System (2009) ▫N= 1185 (Community Colleges in GeoTech Center geodatabase ▫Program Map Tier System  1= NO GST (N=733)  2 = Class (N = 287)  3 = Certificates (N = 96)  4 = Degrees (N = 19)  5 = Degrees and Certificates (N = 50)

College Program Research Database - Regional Patterns Associated to Closest Partner Using thiessen polygons to assign each college to closest GeoTech Partner

Using the Program Research Database to find Regional Patterns The following table profiles how GST is offered at CCs in different regions of the country around GeoTech Partner Analysis - the West region is the most mature based on the fact it’s the only region with a higher frequency of colleges that have some GST versus none. PartnerNNo GSTClassesCert.DegreeCert. and Degree GSU- Southeast LLC-Midwest SWC-West CNM- Mountain BSC-Upper Midwest KCTC-Mid- South IAGT- Northeast CPCC-East DMC-South

Geospatial jobs are not clearly defined Why? Vast, multi-disciplinary industry New field with many competing interests Result? Assortment of classes, curriculum, certificate & degree requirements at 449 Colleges GIS Classes Are Offered in 30 Programming Areas within Community Colleges Geography, GIS, Geospatial Represent 50% Goal: Identify Core Competencies for GIS Technicians

Develop Industry Models that:  Serve as a basis for developing new training materials for the industry;  Categorize the wide range of existing materials that are currently being used;  Comprehend the full range of skills needed for Geospatial Technology;  Form the foundation for industry skill standards and certifications;  Evaluate the myriad training programs that address those skill needs. Industry Competency Model Initiative

Industry Prospective workers Training providers The public workforce system Who are the stakeholders?

A competency model is a descriptive tool that identifies the competencies needed to operate in a specific role with a(n) job, occupation, organization, or industry.

Competencies applicable to many occupations and industries at national scale Competencies needed by all occupations within an industry Competencies needed by all occupations within an industry segment Competencies specific to an occupation identified by DoL partners (e.g., GeoTech Center) Requirements for specialized degrees, licensure, or certification (e.g., GISCI)

The DACUM Process A DACUM (Developing A Curriculum) is an occupational analysis performed by expert workers (12) in the occupation (in this case, GIS Technician). Results in a DACUM Research Chart, an occupational skill profile that identifies Tasks and Duties of the occupation. The research chart is then validated by a survey of the regional user community. The validated research chart can used for instructional program planning, curriculum development, training materials development, etc.

DACUM Workshop Event ▫November (2008) ▫2-days Employers Represented ▫IDOT ▫ADM ▫USDA ▫Illinois Water Survey ▫Coles County Regional Planning ▫Champaign County ▫Effingham Tax Assessors Office ▫Clinton County GIS Office ▫ManPlan.Net (AG. Consulting) ▫EJ Water Cooperative ▫Meisenhimer and Gende Engineers Grant funding from the National Science Foundation (DUE )

Recent curriculum development in GSTs at Lake Land College New Geospatial Technology Program ▫DACUM Results (Industry feedback structured new GST certificate ▫Validated at state level (ILGISA) ▫LLC Developed a new GST Certificate Program (17 hours) ▫Classes ▫1. Intro to GIS - 4 ▫2. Advanced Vector GIS - 3 ▫3. World Geography- 3 ▫4. Information Technology Elective – 2-3 hours ▫5. GPS Elective – 2-3 hours ▫6. Internship – 3 ▫Total hours

Recent curriculum development in GSTs at Lake Land College New Geospatial Technology Program ▫Recent trends ▫Little to no articulation in Illinois for GST ▫More university programs are embedding GST into programs/curriculum ▫GST technology is beginning to meet general education requirements in some states ▫Some occupational programs are adding GST as part of licensing exam ▫Price of hardware/software is coming down

Core Competencies Core competencies were identified as any task with at least 75% of survey respondents indicating either important or very important. Task items falling below the 75% criteria need to be analyzed closely as they may be relevant to specific occupations and regions but may not have broad application across the user base.

Geospatial Technology Certificate Lake Land College CourseDACUM Task Items Intro to GISA-7, B-3,B-8,A-9,A-6,A-4, D-3, D-1,B-7, A-1, A-10 Advanced Vector GIS B-11, C-8, B-9, B-4, A-13, B-5, B-12, B-6, C2, B-2, C-6 World GeographyBroad Geospatial and Mapping Awareness Introduction to Basic Cartographic Techniques Technical Elective GPS Course A-3, A-2, B-1 IT ElectiveE-10, D-2, D-7, C-1 GIS InternshipE-1,F-2, F-3,E-5, D-12, F-4, E-7, E-4, E-3, E-6 Lake Land College is expanding its current Geospatial Technology Certificate to include core competencies identified in the DACUM validation survey. Codes link to the Lake Land College DACUM Verification Survey Results, GeoTech, April 2009Lake Land College DACUM Verification Survey Results

Linking DACUMs to Curriculum

MetaDACUMS – National Trends National Snapshot of the GIS Technician Attempt to define the GIS Technician occupation based upon DACUMS in diverse occupational markets Results (What do GIS Technicians do?) ▫Process Data ▫Manage  Evaluate ▫Generate Products  Design and Create Maps Implications ▫GISCI – Certification

Steps to Build an Industry Competency Model 1.Conduct Research 2.Analyze Resource Materials 3.Develop draft competency model 4.Engage industry partners  Refine and validate the model 5.Launch and promote the model 6.Plan to maintain and update the model

Workshop participants March Corbin, Tripp Assoc Vice President GIS-IT, Keck & Wood, Atlanta; GISP; CFM; President GA Chapter URISA; At-large Board Member GITA Southeast Chapter DiBiase, David Director, Dutton e-Education Institute, Penn State; GISP; CMS-GIS; URISA Board member; past UCGIS Education Committee chair and lead editor of GIS&T Body of Knowledge Fox, Thomas GEOINT analyst, Booz Allen Hamilton Francica, Joe Editor in chief, Directions Magazine; BidConnexion Software Inc.; formerly USGS EROS Data Center, Sun Exploration,Tydac, Vectiv and Intergraph Corporation Green, Kass President, Kass Green & Associates; Past president ASPRS; numerous Boards Jackson, Janet GIS Manager, McKim & Creed; GISP; former president GITA Carolina chapter; Professional Surveyor columnist Jeffress, Gary Director, Conrad Blucher Institute, Texas A&M Corpus Christi; RPLS; ACSM; GeoTech Board member Jones, Brent Survey/Cadastre/Engineering Manager, ESRI; GITA past president Mennis, Jeremy Associate Professor of Geography, Temple University; Chairperson, GIS Specialty Group, AAG Ritchie, Michael President, Photo Science Inc.; Past-President, MAPPS; PLS, PE, CP Schuckman, Karen Senior Lecturer, Penn State; formerly with URS Corp. and EarthData; ASPRS past president; PLS, CP Smith, Cy GIO, State of Oregon; COGO chairperson; NSGIC past president; URISA president elect; GISP Van Sickle, Jan Senior Associate, Stantec Consulting, Denver; RPLS, ACSM, ASPRS, Penn State lecturer

Recommendations to offer GST Technology in Illinois - SWC Example in San Diego ▫How do we offer GST curriculum to the Illinois community college student? ▫Is GST an occupational, transfer, workforce development, or adult education program? ▫How should we be teaching and offering GST curriculum in Illinois Community Colleges?

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