WHAT DOES A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPER DO?

Published: Apr 14, 2025 – The Geographic Information Systems Developer delivers GIS solutions that meet business requirements by applying industry-standard development practices and performing thorough unit testing. This position ensures system reliability and resolves technical issues while providing services such as geodatabase construction, web map development, and spatial data analysis. This role enhances user engagement through clear communication, expert technical advice, and alignment of GIS solutions with strategic business objectives.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Geographic Information Systems Developer

1. Geographic Information Systems Developer Duties

  • GIS Development: Develop mapping applications and geo-processing tools to support GIS Team.
  • Infrastructure Improvement: Develop and improve the technological infrastructure of the GIS Team.
  • Web GIS: Serve the data of the GIS team with web web-based GIS.
  • Data Integration: Improve the data integration process.
  • Problem Solving: Analyze problems and provide solutions.
  • System Maintenance: Responsible for the maintenance of systems.
  • Data Quality: Assist in data integrity and quality assurance.
  • Team Collaboration: Work effectively with the team to develop high-quality GIS solutions.
  • Software Development: Work in a team-oriented environment, providing software development, technical expertise and guidance to key stakeholders on a variety of enterprise-scale applications and projects.
  • Client Coordination: Work closely with clients, project managers, business analysts, and architects to develop high-quality, effective enterprise software solutions.
  • Project Management: Understand and apply a variety of project life-cycles, methods, and software development techniques.
  • Application Design: Design, code, test and implement application software that is delivered on time and within budget, using sound software development practices and secure coding requirements.

2. Geographic Information Systems Developer Details

  • Solution Development: Develop solutions to meet business requirements using industry best practice development methodologies.
  • Unit Testing: Create unit tests for all solutions prior to production release.
  • System Monitoring: Proactive monitoring of business systems.
  • Technical Support: Assist support staff in resolving customer and user problems that relate to the technical performance of the systems.
  • Communication Skills: Communicate ideas and concepts to a variety of audiences.
  • Time Management: Manage time across multiple work streams.
  • After-Hours Support: Provide after-hours support as an SME to customers to ensure proper operation of the business.
  • User Experience: Delivering the best possible user experience for customers while supporting key strategic business objectives.
  • Team Support: Supporting the global team of GIS experts.
  • GIS Services: Delivering GIS services upon request.
  • Geodatabase Design: Building geodatabase structures.
  • Web Mapping: Creating web map applications.
  • Data Delivery: Deliver data or analysis.
  • User Communication: Keeping good communication with users of GIS services and advising on technology.

3. Geographic Information Systems Developer Responsibilities

  • Frontend Integration: Integrate the user-facing elements developed by a team of developers.
  • API Development: Design, develop, and manage API.
  • Component Building: Building reusable components and modules for future utilization by using React, TypeScript, Node.js and JavaScript.
  • Application Optimization: Analysis of Applications for optimization of maximum speed and scalability.
  • Data Security: Implementation of security and data protection.
  • Data Storage: Design and implementation of data storage solutions.
  • Serverless Code: Contribute to code for use in business workloads within a serverless architecture.
  • Git Collaboration: Contribute to project GIT repos within the Developer operations ecosystem.
  • Agile Development: Engage in Agile development for tasked projects.
  • Mentorship: Mentor junior developer in coding best practices.
  • Data Structures: Understand variant data types and data structures for GIS.
  • Geospatial Visualization: Create geospatial visualizations and feature layers services for customers.

4. Geographic Information Systems Developer Job Summary

  • Data Conversion: Conversion of legacy CAD and GIS data into a modern catalogue of GIS data holdings without loss of attribution.
  • Data Deployment: Deployment of data using OGC web services, data formats, and ancillary datasets to interested and cleared parties.
  • Procedure Development: Develop the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and data schema as well as streamline the procedure to accomplish georeferencing and import of non-spatial data features into a GIS, with the intent to publish to the web.
  • Training Delivery: Conduct training in geospatial techniques and processes to the client and recommend future purchases and architectural changes.
  • Software Development: Develop and maintain Dendra’s internal GIS software suite including distributed data processing pipelines, analytic programs, and API-integrated tooling.
  • Project Assistance: Assist in the commercial delivery of projects.
  • Software Maintenance: Maintenance of the existing GIS software suite and data processing infrastructure.
  • Product Research: Research and development to produce new analytical products.
  • Data Coordination: Coordinate with field operations and data ecology to optimise data capture.
  • Web Integration: Coordinate with the web development team to integrate GIS products into Dendra’s online platform.
  • Project Delivery: Commercial delivery of projects.
  • Technical Advice: Provide technical advice to customers.

5. Geographic Information Systems Developer Accountabilities

  • Database Integration: Integrate Databases/Understanding of Enterprise Geospatial Database design.
  • Web Mapping: Create public-facing web maps and data management/hosting applications.
  • OSM Optimization: Maintain and optimize OpenStreetMap Stack (OSM API Replication, openmaptiles, Overpass API, and Graphhopper).
  • Team Collaboration: Work effectively as part of the software development team on multiple projects and new product features across various platforms (e.g. iOS, Android, or Web).
  • Performance Improvement: Work closely with CTO to improve the performance and scalability of the product.
  • Feature Development: Development of new GIS features based on OSM data.
  • Documentation Management: Create and maintain consistent documentation for OSM endpoints.
  • Application Maintenance: Ensuring GIS applications are up and running.
  • Automation Scope: Identify the scope of automation.
  • Scripting: Create an automation script, Python.
  • Data Upload: Upload 3rd-party data in the GIS system.
  • Scrum Participation: Participate in daily scrums.
  • Global Collaboration: Collaborate with global teams.