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Army

Geomatics Technician

Non-Commissioned Member | Full Time, Part Time

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    • Overview

    Geomatics Technicians collect geospatial data using imagery and Global Positioning System devices and survey equipment. They capture, analyze, process, present, disseminate and manage this data to support the operations of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force.

    Geomatics Technicians are members of the Military Engineering Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Their primary responsibilities are to:

    • Collect geospatial data satellite, aerial and photo imagery, Global Positioning System devices and survey equipment
    • Manage and fuse digital geospatial data and products from a wide range of sources
    • Produce digital and hard-copy maps, charts, three-dimensional visualizations and other geospatial products to help military leaders understand and move in the battle space
    • Generate and reproduce digital geospatial products
    • Distribute geospatial products from the CAF Map Depot to units in garrison and on operations
    • Provide expert geomatics advice and liaison to CAF personnel at all levels of command

    Work environment

    Geomatics Technicians are members of the Army, but they may be called upon to support all CAF exercises and operations, including those lead by the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Most work at a base or station is done in an office environment in a major headquarters within Canada, using high-tech computer workstations and software designed for geomatics. Geomatics Technicians are also employed aboard ships, on survey duties, and in Army units that train in the field and deploy on operations. Over the course of their career they may be offered international postings, including exchanges with the United States Army.

    Career Overview

    Transcript

    CORPORAL JOSHUA GORDON: I’m Corporal Joshua Gordon from Beeton, Ontario — I’m a Geomatics Technician currently serving at the Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa.

    Geomatics Technicians use the most advanced IT equipment and cutting-edge geospatial technology to create a virtual view of the landscape that’s used to plan and conduct important operations in Canada and around the world. They collect and analyze geospatial data from different sources to produce digital or paper maps using Advanced Geomatics Information Systems.

    CORPORAL JOSHUA GORDON: We combine multiple layers of information and we overlay it with tactical information that’s collected by field engineers and different units across the Canadian Armed Forces and compile that into a visual product that explains the battlespace to a commander. It provides them with the tactical know-how and expertise to see and predict the flow of battle and how to best assist in the area of operations.

    Geomatics Technicians are directly involved in the military planning process and can influence decisions at the highest levels.

    CORPORAL JOSHUA GORDON: Products produced by the lowest-level Privates and Corporals Geomatics Technicians can go all the way up to the top. Some things that we produce make it all the way to the Chief of Defence staff. You need to be prepared to brief Captains, Majors, Colonels on the products that you make and explain to them the situation.

    Geomatics Technicians are an Army trade, but they can work with the Army, Air Force, Navy and Special Forces to create maps and charts for all operations. Geomatics Technicians must regularly complete ground surveys to ensure the accuracy in all mapping products. This can include surveys of military airports, runways, remote sites in the North, or foreign cities overseas using highly accurate GPS receivers and other survey instruments such as LiDAR and Electronic Total Stations.

    CORPORAL JOSHUA GORDON: Being a Geomatics Technician gives a great sense of satisfaction. You’re working on a product from start to finish that will aid in decision-making and can basically save lives.

    CORPORAL JOSHUA GORDON: The coolest part of the job for me is having an artistic outlet and an analytical outlet. I get to work with data and colours and sort of compile them into a complete product, a finished almost work of art.

    After completing their studies, Geomatics Technicians may be posted to one of four brigades, within one of several headquarters units across Canada, or to the Mapping and Charting Establishment, the Geomatics Centre of Excellence in Ottawa. Reservists in this job return to their home unit and continue to work under supervision. In their first year on the job, Geomatics Technicians continue to develop their soldier skills and geomatics capabilities within the trade.

    CORPORAL JOSHUA GORDON: There’s many different jobs to do. There’s our survey troop that conducts field surveys; there is Geomatics Support Squadron, which provides tactical decision aids to all sorts of clients across the country; you can also be posted to Geospatial Information and Services Squadron that works on web map services and modern web-mapping to aid in Canadian Armed Forces decisions. There are leaders that will help you along your way, teach you new tips and tricks and everything they’ve learned throughout their career, to help you establish your own techniques and build your own workflow as a Geomatics Technician.

    CORPORAL JOSHUA GORDON: Every product we make goes into the process of helping make a decision so every single product that I produce gives me a feeling of satisfaction and it allows me to feel like I’m contributing to the battlespace. It gives me a challenge on a day-to-day basis. I learn things, work things out, figure out problems – it’s very rewarding

    Related Civilian Occupations

    • Geographic Information System Technician
    • Geodetic Surveyor
    • Cartographer
    • Photogrammetrist

    Training

    The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

    Basic military qualification – land course

    After Basic Training, Army recruits go to a Military Training centre for the Basic Military Qualification – Land Course for approximately one month, which covers the following topics:

    • Army Physical Fitness
    • Dismounted Offensive and Defensive Operations
    • Reconnaissance Patrolling
    • Individual Field Craft

    Learn more about Basic Training here.

    Geomatics Technicians attend the School of Military Mapping at Algonquin College, which is a detachment of the Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa, Ontario. You will receive instruction from civilian and military instructors on the following topics:

    Battle space analysis and visualization products

    • Mathematics and survey
    • Photogrammetry
    • Remote sensing software and data
    • Geographic information systems and data
    • Production of geospatial data
    • Navigation systems
    • Geomatics product reproduction process
    • Computer hardware and software
    • Geomatics product distribution process

    Geomatics Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

    • Geodetic terrestrial and aerial survey training
    • Geospatial database management
    • Advanced geomatics applications
    • Advanced terrain analysis
    • Geomatics engineering diploma

    Entry plans

    The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 11 or Quebec Secondary IV including Grade 11 Applied Math or Math 426 in Quebec. 

    Part time options

    This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

    Geomatics Technicians serve with the Canadian Army. They are employed collecting, analyzing and managing geospatial data to support CAF operations. Geomatics technicians employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis usually serve at military locations within Canada.

    Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, the home unit will arrange for additional training for specialized skills. Training for Geomatics Technicians is conducted at the School of Military Mapping at Algonquin College, in Ottawa, Ontario.

    Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.