Competencies for GIS Professionals

With support from the National Geospatial Technology Center (http://geotechcenter.org) I'm working with the Department of Labor (DoL) to help complete their Geospatial Technology Competency Model.

A competency model is a document that identifies the knowledge, skills and abilities needed in all occupations within an industry, in particular industry sectors, and in particular occupations. Competency models are used to design curricula and write job descriptions, among other things. The Department of Labor's "Competency Model Clearinghouse" is at http://www.careeronestop.org/CompetencyModel/ Notice that although DoL highlights "geospatial" as a "high-growth" industry, no geospatial competency model is available. It's still an incomplete draft.

Workforce development specialists at the University of Southern Mississippi started the geospatial competency modeling effort back in 2001 with support from NASA. DoL picked it up after the NASA project ended. Their effort stalled in 2008, however, because consensus couldn't be reached on how to define the sectors that comprise the geospatial industry.

Mindful of the industry sectors identified by Daratech and by ASPRS' ongoing Remote Sensing Industry Forecast - and of the tension between regulated and unregulated practice which is a defining characteristic of our field - I've proposed the following four geospatial industry sectors:

Data Products & Services: Professional creation and provision of georeferenced data products and services defined as “survey practice” in NCEES Model Law and Rules.

Information Products & Services: Professional creation and provision of georeferenced data products and services excluded from the definition of “survey practice” in NCEES Model Law and Rules.

Software Products: Software tools used to produce, analyze, and use georeferenced data and information

Hardware Products: Equipment used to produce and use georeferenced data and information.

I've now presented these proposed sector definitions in three forums: The 2009 ESRI Education User Conference, the 2009 URISA Conference in Anaheim, and a meeting of the National Academy of Science's Mapping Sciences Committee on January 7. In attendance at the latter meeting were Executive Directors of three leading geospatial professional societies. Two expressed satisfaction with the proposal. However, another was strongly opposed to the suggestion that "data production" should be limited to licensed professionals.

On March 11-12 2010 the GeoTech Center will host a workshop involving thirteen geospatial professionals representing the broad scope of the geospatial industry. Our agenda is to reach concensus on industry sectors and associated competencies so that we can deliver a finished Geospatial Comptency Model to the Department of Labor.

What do you think of the proposed industry sectors? Care to suggest a refinement or alternative?