Geomatics Technicians - Cartography
Job description
These individuals prepare and design different types of maps (road, climate, oil, etc.). They collect, calculate, analyze, and process field data (longitude, latitude, etc.) from aerial photography and satellite images. They produce geo-referenced digital images (which include the geographic coordinates of a portion of land). They verify the quality of recorded images and the integrity and accuracy of data. They prepare the publication of cartographic records. They work for:
- Private, transportation, and public utility companies
- Consulting engineering firms
- The federal and provincial governments
- Cities, municipalities, and regional county municipalities (RCMs)
- The media
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
Main tasks
- Plan the content and formats of digital maps and graphs.
- Develop geographic and geospatial databases.
- Update data collected.
- Prepare documents related to municipal land management.
- Design digital maps and graphs using computer-aided design and drafting software.
- Participate in the development of technological tools such as mobile apps and interactive maps.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in technologie de la géomatique (Cartographie)
Placement rate: 62.5%
37.5% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec (OTPQ [Quebec Order of Professional Technologists]) to use the title of Professional Technologist.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Reading comprehension
- Written expression
- Oral expression
- Mathematics
- Critical thought
- Science
- Solving complex problems
- Judgment and decision-making
- System analysis
- Operation analysis
- Coordination
- Equipment selection
- Monitoring operations
- Equipment maintenance
- Systems evaluation
- Installation
- Service oriented
- Social perception
- Learning strategies
- Technological design
- Operations and control
- Time management
Abilities
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Information organization
- Near vision
- Deductive reasoning
- Verbal skills
- Inductive reasoning
- Classification
- Awareness of issues
- Basic numeracy
- Mathematical reasoning
- Speech recognition
- Selective attention
- Control accuracy
- Speech clarity
- Colour perception and distinction
- Idea generation
- Processing flexibility
- Spatial orientation
- Written expression
- Visualization
- Manual dexterity
- Digital dexterity
- Overall balance of the body
- Hand-arm stability
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Perseverance
- Autonomy
- Capacity to work in a team
- Rigour
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
- Knowledge of engineering and technology
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of geography
Interests
- Work with numbers
- Work in contact with nature and animals
- Collect, verify, sort, and classify data or information
- Work outdoors
- Make technical plans and drawings
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology (CNP 22214)
Skill type
Natural resources, agriculture and related production
Last update: January 29, 2026