Cartographer (Maritime GIS Analyst) (Associate)

Job Summary

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Cartographers acquire, compile, evaluate, and review geospatial data to develop cartography products and/or data holdings in support of mission requirements for national security, military operations, and humanitarian relief. They extract, attribute, format, manipulate, and symbolize geospatial information in accordance with NGA and international standards, typically specializing in a particular cartography domain (e.g., topographical, nautical). Topographic Cartographers analyze data sources (e.g., aerial photography, satellite images) to extract land surface features as foundation data, finish and symbolize topographic maps, and ensure finished products (e.g., Topographic and NAVPLAN products) meet safety, usability, and readability thresholds. Nautical Cartographers research, acquire, and evaluate data sources (e.g., imagery, nautical charts, hydrographic and bathymetric surveys, ship reports, Notices to Mariners) to extract and attribute land, littoral, and sea features critical for safe navigation in a littoral or sea-based environment. Cartographers ensure the quality, accuracy, and currency of geospatial information produced internally or by external partners or contractors. They also regularly engage customers and partners to improve processes, as well as contribute to the modernization of the cartography tradecraft and development of GEOINT standards.

Additional Job Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) serves as the world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). NGA's civilian, military and contract personnel evaluate imagery, maps, charts, multiple layers of foundation data - such as terrain, elevation and gravity - and the full spectrum of visible and invisible light in order to help users visualize what is happening at a particular place and time. Our intelligence officers go beyond describing 'what, where and when' to revealing 'how and why.' our work enables decision advantage for our policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders. NGA uses a flexible, high mobility career model. Individuals are hired for their overall skills within a specialty such as Cartographer, and then placed in various positions throughout the agency once they complete the clearance process. Although currently advertised as a supervisory, permanent, telework-eligible job posting with occasional travel, it is unknown which specific positions will be available after applicants complete the selection and clearance process. Because of this, aspects of the job such as travel, supervisory, telework, etc. may change, depending on specific positions available at that time. It is also possible that applicants could be hired into a position with specific aspects and then change positions after serving for a period of time in that assignment. Applicants who have completed the clearance process receive final documentation about the nature of the specific position before they make the final commitment to join NGA. The Maritime Safety Office of NGA's Source Operations and Management Directorate is recruiting for Cartographers to support digital nautical charting maintenance and production and generate mission-specific geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) datasets from continually-maintained data. Applicants should be knowledgeable of many of the following disciplines: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), editing data in GIS, GIS database management. Applicants should be able to analyze and apply information from a wide variety of sources to include foreign nautical charts, foreign notice to mariners, imagery, survey and random track bathymetry, navigation publications, ship reports, and other forms of geospatial intelligence. Other responsibilities include research, analysis, and problem-solving in response to queries from the U.S. Navy, foreign hydrographic offices, and other users of our products and services. Interested personnel with a varied background in GIS, marine analysis, regional analysis, and geospatial analysis are encouraged to apply. 1. Analyze data from ground surveys, reports, aerial photographs, and satellite images to prepare topographic maps and aerial photograph mosaics 2. Delineate aerial photographic detail using GIS software and workstations 3. Interpret guidance and procedures for source materials; inspect commercial products for accuracy 4. Prepare and employ base maps, charts, tables, open source, commodity date and imagery using GIS software and workstations Candidates may receive an invitation to provide additional information or respond to questions via email and/or HireVue as part of the candidate evaluation process. Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit on this website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to: 1) Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics that are aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in the application you submit must support the response you provide to this questionnaire. You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required. Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible.

Mandatory Qualifications

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online applications must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement: 1. Demonstrated knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 2. Demonstrated knowledge of GIS software, data manipulation, and/or data editing. 3. Demonstrated knowledge of technical skills such as: scripting, coding, statistical analysis, data science, data analytics, or data visualization. 4. Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with others. 5. Experience applying knowledge of geospatial data requirements, sources, and standards to satisfy customer requirements. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Cartography or a major that included, or was supplemented by, at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework in Cartography and/or directly related Sciences and Mathematics. Coursework may include, but is not limited to, Astronomy, Cartography, Computer Science, Forestry, Geodesy, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Land Surveying, Photogrammetry, Physical and Geological Oceanography, Physical Geography, and Remote Sensing. Computer software classes associated with current technology, GIS courses, and information management classes may also be counted. The 30 semester (45 quarter) hours must have included at least 6 semester (9 quarter), but not more than 15 (22 quarter), hours of college level non-business mathematics or statistics (i.e., college level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites). -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework as listed in option A, plus applied experience in Cartography that includes the use of current GIS tools, or a related field that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years. -OR- C. Experience: A minimum of 4 years experience in Cartography that includes the use of current GIS tools, or a related field that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Distinguish principal colors and shades/hues of principal colors; Near visual acuity of 20/60 or better with or without corrective lenses

Highly Desired Qualifications

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired: 1. Experience managing and delivering solutions to problems (e.g. cleaning, filtering, and transforming data, as well as enriching data, especially by way of database joins or table lookups). 2. Experience applying knowledge of GIS for hydrographic, bathymetric, or maritime purposes. 3. Demonstrated ability to apply critical thinking to problem identification, analysis and resolution on challenging issues. 4. Experience with Enterprise GIS.

Additional Job Requirements

You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs. Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure. Band 03 $78,592 - $145,617 PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized. Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family. For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nga/ngabenefits.html

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $78,592.00 - $145,617.00 per year

Work Location: One location

Salary : $78,592 - $145,617