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Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists Occupation Detailed Description

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

The main tasks and work activities of Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists are to analyze geological or geographical data, develop technical or scientific databases, prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations, record research or operational data. In general, for the Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists, critical Thinking, science, reading Comprehension, mathematics and other 14 skills are required.
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related ExperienceExtensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Job TrainingEmployees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
ExampleThese occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
3.57%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
96.43%

Tasks and Work Activities of Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

  • Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
  • Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information.
  • Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
  • Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
  • Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.
  • Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.
  • Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
  • Direct all activity associated with implementation, operation, or enhancement of remote sensing hardware or software.
  • Collect supporting data, such as climatic or field survey data, to corroborate remote sensing data analyses.
  • Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
  • Conduct research into the application or enhancement of remote sensing technology.
  • Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
  • Develop automated routines to correct for the presence of image distorting artifacts, such as ground vegetation.
  • Develop new analytical techniques or sensor systems.
  • Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.
  • Monitor quality of remote sensing data collection operations to determine if procedural or equipment changes are necessary.
  • Direct installation or testing of new remote sensing hardware or software.
  • Attend meetings or seminars or read current literature to maintain knowledge of developments in the field of remote sensing.
  • Participate in fieldwork.
  • Recommend new remote sensing hardware or software acquisitions.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Analyze geological or geographical data.
  • Develop technical or scientific databases.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Record research or operational data.
  • Compile geographic or related data.
  • Develop environmental research methods.
  • Direct technical activities or operations.
  • Collect environmental data or samples.
  • Collect geographical or geological field data.
  • Create images or other visual displays.
  • Evaluate new technologies or methods.
  • Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.
  • Attend conferences or workshops to maintain professional knowledge.
  • Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
  • Advise others on the development or use of new technologies.
  • Set up laboratory or field equipment.
  • Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
  • Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.

Skills and Abilities for Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operations AnalysisAnalyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Aerial camerase.g. Airborne imaging systems
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Radarbased surveillance systemse.g. Doppler Rayleigh laser imaging ranging and detecting LIDAR systems
  • Spectrographse.g. Hyperspectral imaging equipment
  • Mainframe computerse.g. Mainframe computers
  • Infrared spectrometerse.g. Multispectral imaging equipment
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Aerial camerase.g. Spaceborne imaging systems
  • Spectrographse.g. Spectral imaging systems
  • Radarbased surveillance systemse.g. Synthetic aperture radar SAR
  • Infrared imagerse.g. Thermal imaging systems
  • GeographyKnowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.