Top 12 GIS Developer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) developers stand at the forefront of mapping and spatial analysis innovation. Possessing a robust set of skills is crucial for those looking to excel in this field and catch the eye of top employers, making it essential to carefully curate and showcase these abilities on your resume.

GIS Developer Skills

1. ArcGIS
2. QGIS
3. Python
4. JavaScript
5. PostgreSQL/PostGIS
6. Leaflet
7. R
8. FME
9. GeoServer
10. Mapbox
11. GDAL/OGR
12. Spatial Analysis

1. ArcGIS

ArcGIS is a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS) software platform developed by Esri, used for creating, managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data, designed to support GIS developers in building applications and solutions for mapping and spatial analysis.

Why It's Important

ArcGIS is a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS) platform that provides GIS developers with powerful tools for creating, managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data. This enables developers to build sophisticated location-based applications and solutions, supporting decision-making, planning, and communication across a wide range of industries.

How to Improve ArcGIS Skills

Improving your skills in ArcGIS as a GIS Developer involves a focused approach on mastering advanced functionalities, automation, and integration capabilities. Here are concise strategies:

1. Advanced Training: Engage in advanced ArcGIS courses to deepen your understanding of complex GIS concepts and tools. Esri Academy offers a range of courses tailored for different proficiency levels.

2. Python Scripting: Enhance your ability to automate GIS tasks by learning Python scripting for ArcGIS. The ArcPy documentation is a great place to start.

3. ArcGIS API for JavaScript: Expand your web GIS development skills by mastering the ArcGIS API for JavaScript, enabling you to create interactive, custom web maps and applications.

4. GIS Data Management: Improve your data management skills by learning advanced techniques in data collection, storage, and analysis. Understanding ArcGIS Data Store types is crucial.

5. Participate in GIS Communities: Engage with GIS communities such as GeoNet and Stack Exchange to stay updated on the latest trends and solutions in GIS development.

6. Explore Esri's GitHub: Dive into Esri's GitHub repositories to explore and contribute to open-source projects, gaining practical experience in real-world applications.

Focusing on these areas will significantly enhance your capabilities as a GIS Developer in the ArcGIS ecosystem.

How to Display ArcGIS Skills on Your Resume

2. QGIS

QGIS is an open-source Geographic Information System (GIS) software that allows developers to create, edit, visualize, analyze, and publish geospatial information on maps.

Why It's Important

QGIS is important for a GIS Developer because it provides a powerful, open-source platform for creating, editing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data, enabling the development of custom GIS applications and solutions without licensing costs.

How to Improve QGIS Skills

Improving QGIS, a powerful open-source Geographic Information System, requires a mix of enhancing its core functionalities, contributing to its development, and integrating custom plugins or tools. Here’s a concise guide aimed at GIS Developers:

1. Learn & Contribute to QGIS Code: Familiarize yourself with QGIS's codebase and contribute improvements or bug fixes. Start with the QGIS GitHub repository and the CONTRIBUTING guide.

2. Develop Custom Plugins: Create and share plugins that extend QGIS functionalities. Utilize the PyQGIS Developer Cookbook for guidance on using Python to develop plugins.

3. Optimize Performance: Work on optimizing data rendering and processing. Consider contributing to or enhancing the processing algorithms.

4. Improve Documentation & Tutorials: Enhance the QGIS documentation and create tutorials that help users and developers make the most out of QGIS.

5. Engage with the Community: Participate in QGIS forums, mailing lists, and GIS Stack Exchange to share your knowledge, and get insights on common issues and innovative solutions.

6. Follow QGIS Improvement Proposals (QEPs): Keep an eye on QGIS Enhancement Proposals to stay updated on proposed improvements and suggest new ideas.

By actively engaging with the QGIS community, contributing code, and developing innovative plugins, you can significantly improve QGIS for all users.

How to Display QGIS Skills on Your Resume

3. Python

Python is a versatile, high-level programming language widely used by GIS developers for automating geospatial analysis, manipulating spatial data, and developing mapping applications.

Why It's Important

Python is important for a GIS Developer because it offers powerful libraries (like ArcPy and GDAL) for spatial analysis, data manipulation, and automating GIS workflows, enhancing productivity and enabling advanced geospatial data processing.

How to Improve Python Skills

Improving your Python skills as a GIS Developer focuses on enhancing your coding efficiency, understanding spatial libraries, and integrating GIS with Python effectively. Here are concise steps to achieve that:

1. Master Core Python: Ensure you're comfortable with Python basics and advanced concepts. Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is a great resource to solidify your foundation.

2. Learn Spatial Libraries: Dive into GIS-specific libraries like Geopandas, Pyproj, and Rasterio. These libraries are essential for spatial data manipulation and analysis.

3. Utilize Python in GIS Software: Leverage Python scripting in GIS software. For ArcGIS users, ArcPy is indispensable, while QGIS has PyQGIS.

4. Engage with Community and Projects: Join GIS and Python forums or communities, such as GIS Stack Exchange and r/gis on Reddit. Collaborating on or contributing to open-source projects can provide real-world experience.

5. Continuous Learning and Projects: Implement your knowledge in projects. Websites like GitHub are excellent for finding project inspiration or showcasing your work.

6. Stay Updated: Python and GIS technologies evolve rapidly. Follow blogs, podcasts, and newsletters in the field to stay informed.

Each step builds both your Python and GIS capabilities, making you a more proficient GIS Developer.

How to Display Python Skills on Your Resume

4. JavaScript

JavaScript is a versatile programming language essential for creating dynamic and interactive web applications, including web mapping and GIS applications, by enabling client-side scripting for user interface interactions and real-time data visualization.

Why It's Important

JavaScript is crucial for GIS Developers because it enables the creation and management of interactive, dynamic maps and spatial analysis tools within web applications, enhancing user experience and accessibility to geographic information systems.

How to Improve JavaScript Skills

To improve your JavaScript skills as a GIS Developer:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure you have a strong foundation in JavaScript fundamentals. Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) is an excellent resource for learning and reference.

2. Learn GIS-Specific JavaScript Libraries: Familiarize yourself with libraries like Leaflet for interactive maps and OpenLayers for advanced mapping solutions.

3. Understand Asynchronous Programming: GIS applications often deal with data fetching and processing. Grasping concepts like Promises and async/await is crucial. Check out JavaScript.info for a deep dive.

4. Practice with Projects: Apply what you learn in real-world projects. GitHub is a great platform to find open-source GIS projects you can contribute to or get inspiration from.

5. Stay Updated: JavaScript and GIS technologies evolve rapidly. Follow blogs and forums like GeoNet and subscribe to newsletters like JavaScript Weekly to stay informed.

By focusing on these areas and consistently practicing, you'll enhance your JavaScript skills in a GIS context.

How to Display JavaScript Skills on Your Resume

5. PostgreSQL/PostGIS

PostgreSQL is an advanced, open-source relational database management system. PostGIS is an extension for PostgreSQL that adds support for geographic objects, allowing it to perform location queries and spatial data analysis, making it a powerful tool for GIS developers for managing and querying spatial data.

Why It's Important

For a GIS Developer, PostgreSQL/PostGIS is crucial as it provides a powerful, open-source database system with extensive support for spatial data and queries, enabling efficient storage, manipulation, and analysis of geographic information within a robust SQL environment.

How to Improve PostgreSQL/PostGIS Skills

Improving PostgreSQL/PostGIS performance and functionality for a GIS Developer involves several strategies. Below are concise tips along with relevant resources for deeper exploration:

1. Indexing: Use spatial indexes like GIST for faster query performance on spatial columns. PostGIS Indexing

2. Partitioning: Partition large spatial tables by location or other attributes to improve query performance. Table Partitioning

3. Query Optimization: Write efficient queries and use EXPLAIN to analyze and optimize them. Using EXPLAIN

4. Configuration Tuning: Adjust PostgreSQL configuration settings like work_mem, shared_buffers, and maintenance_work_mem for better performance. Configuration Tuning

5. Update Statistics: Use the ANALYZE command regularly to update database statistics for the query planner. ANALYZE

6. Connection Pooling: Implement connection pooling to reduce connection overhead for applications. PgBouncer

7. Use Latest Features: Stay updated with the latest PostGIS functions and improvements by upgrading to the most recent version. PostGIS Releases

8. Batch Processing: For bulk data operations, use batch processing to minimize transaction overhead. Batch Processing

9. Parallel Processing: Leverage parallel query processing in PostgreSQL for large datasets. Parallel Processing

10. GIS Data Formats: Optimize data storage by choosing efficient formats (e.g., use geometry vs. geography smartly). Choosing a Spatial Type

11. Network Data Model: For advanced routing and network analysis, use the pgRouting extension. pgRouting

12. Learning and Community: Engage with the PostgreSQL and PostGIS communities for the latest tips and solutions. PostgreSQL Community, PostGIS Users Mailing List

By focusing on these areas, GIS Developers can significantly enhance the efficiency and capability of their PostgreSQL/PostGIS applications.

How to Display PostgreSQL/PostGIS Skills on Your Resume

6. Leaflet

Leaflet is an open-source JavaScript library designed for mobile-friendly interactive mapping, enabling GIS developers to easily create and manage maps with multiple layers, markers, and custom interactivity on web applications.

Why It's Important

Leaflet is important for a GIS Developer because it provides an easy-to-use, lightweight, and flexible open-source JavaScript library for creating interactive maps, facilitating the development and integration of geographic information into web applications.

How to Improve Leaflet Skills

To improve your Leaflet skills and applications as a GIS Developer, focus on the following concise strategies:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure you have a solid understanding of Leaflet's core features and capabilities. The official Leaflet documentation is your best starting point.

2. Utilize Plugins: Enhance functionality with plugins. Explore the Leaflet Plugins page to find tools that meet your project's needs.

3. Optimize Performance: For better performance, especially with large datasets, consider using leaflet.markercluster for marker clustering and Leaflet.VectorGrid for efficiently managing vector data.

4. Follow Best Practices: Adopt coding best practices for cleaner, more maintainable code. The Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) offers guidelines on JavaScript that can be applied to your Leaflet projects.

5. Stay Updated: Leaflet and its ecosystem evolve rapidly. Follow the Leaflet GitHub repository and join the GIS Stack Exchange community to stay informed about the latest developments and solutions to common problems.

6. Learn from Examples: Analyze and experiment with existing Leaflet applications. The Leaflet Tutorials section provides practical examples that can inspire and clarify how to implement various features.

7. Incorporate Advanced GIS Techniques: Enhance your applications with advanced GIS techniques, such as spatial analysis and geoprocessing, using Turf.js alongside Leaflet for in-browser analysis.

8. Responsive Design: Ensure your maps are mobile-friendly and responsive by following best practices for web design. The Bootstrap framework can be easily integrated with Leaflet for responsive maps.

9. Accessibility Focus: Make your applications accessible to all users by adhering to web accessibility guidelines. The Web Accessibility Initiative provides resources and guidelines for making web content accessible.

10. Engage with the Community: Join developer forums and communities (e.g., Stack Overflow, Reddit) to ask questions, share your knowledge, and collaborate with others.

By focusing on these areas and utilizing the provided resources, you can significantly improve your Leaflet applications and contribute to the GIS developer community.

How to Display Leaflet Skills on Your Resume

7. R

R is a programming language and software environment specialized for statistical analysis, data visualization, and includes packages for spatial data manipulation and analysis, making it a valuable tool for GIS developers.

Why It's Important

R is important for a GIS Developer because it provides powerful statistical analysis and data visualization capabilities, essential for interpreting spatial data and making informed decisions.

How to Improve R Skills

Improving your R skills, especially as a GIS Developer, involves a combination of enhancing your programming capabilities, understanding GIS-specific packages, and continually applying your knowledge to real-world scenarios. Here's a concise roadmap:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure a solid understanding of R basics. The R for Data Science book covers fundamentals with a focus on data science applications.

2. Learn GIS in R: Focus on mastering GIS-related packages like sf (simple features), sp, and raster. The Geocomputation with R book is an excellent resource.

3. Practice with Projects: Apply your skills in real-world GIS projects. Websites like Kaggle offer datasets and challenges that can help refine your skills.

4. Contribute to Open Source: Engage with the R and GIS community by contributing to open-source projects on GitHub. This can provide practical experience and feedback from the community.

5. Stay Updated: The R ecosystem evolves quickly. Follow blogs like R-bloggers to stay up-to-date with the latest packages and techniques.

6. Network and Learn: Join forums like Stack Overflow and GIS Stack Exchange to learn from professionals and help others.

By continuously learning and applying your skills to GIS projects, you'll effectively improve your proficiency in R as a GIS Developer.

How to Display R Skills on Your Resume

8. FME

FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) is a data integration platform specializing in converting, transforming, and automating spatial data workflows for GIS developers.

Why It's Important

FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) is crucial for GIS developers as it provides a powerful platform for automating complex data integration and transformation tasks, enabling the efficient manipulation of spatial data across various formats and systems, thus enhancing productivity and data accuracy in GIS projects.

How to Improve FME Skills

Improving your skills with FME (Feature Manipulation Engine) as a GIS Developer involves a combination of understanding core concepts, best practices, and continuous learning. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure a strong grasp of FME’s fundamental concepts and components such as workspaces, readers/writers, transformers, and data flow. Start with the official FME documentation.

2. Hands-on Practice: Apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios. Engage in projects that require data transformation, integration, or automation. The FME Community provides a plethora of sample projects and challenges.

3. Learn Best Practices: Understand how to structure your workspaces for efficiency, readability, and scalability. The FME Evangelist blog shares insights and tips from experts.

4. Use Templates and Custom Transformers: Leverage existing templates and create your custom transformers for repetitive tasks. This enhances productivity and consistency across projects.

5. Stay Updated: FME is continuously updated with new features and capabilities. Follow the FME Release Notes to stay informed about the latest developments.

6. Training and Certification: Consider official training courses and certification programs offered by Safe Software to deepen your expertise. Check out the FME Training page for more information.

7. Engage with the Community: Join forums, attend webinars, and participate in user groups to exchange knowledge and learn from the experiences of others in the FME community.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your proficiency with FME, enhancing your ability to tackle complex GIS data challenges effectively.

How to Display FME Skills on Your Resume

9. GeoServer

GeoServer is an open-source server designed to share, process, and edit geospatial data. It allows users to view and edit geographic information and provides standards-based access via web services to support Geographic Information Systems (GIS) development.

Why It's Important

GeoServer is important for a GIS Developer because it enables easy sharing, processing, and editing of geospatial data across web applications, facilitating the creation of dynamic maps and geospatial services in line with industry standards.

How to Improve GeoServer Skills

To improve GeoServer as a GIS Developer, consider the following concise strategies:

1. Optimize Performance:

   • Utilize GeoWebCache to cache frequently requested tiles, reducing load times.
   • Configure JVM settings for better memory management and performance.

2. Enhance Security:

   • Implement GeoServer Security features to manage access to services and data layers.

3. Customize with Extensions:

   • Expand functionality by incorporating GeoServer Extensions like WPS, CSS Styling, and Monitoring.

4. Update and Maintain:

   • Regularly update GeoServer and its dependencies for stability and new features. Monitor the official website for updates.

5. Leverage Scripting and Automation:

   • Use the GeoServer REST API for automating tasks such as layer creation and style management.

6. Optimize Data Storage:

   • Choose the right data store for your use case (e.g., PostGIS for complex queries).

7. Improve Mapping and Styling:

   • Master SLD and experiment with YSLD/CSS Styling for more efficient and readable style definitions.

8. Monitor and Log:

   • Utilize the Monitoring extension to track performance and usage.

9. Participate in the Community:

   • Engage with the GeoServer user mailing list and GIS Stack Exchange for support and to share knowledge.

10. Educate and Train:

    • Keep learning through resources like the GeoServer official documentation and GeoSolutions' GeoServer Training.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your GeoServer setup, making it more efficient, secure, and tailored to your specific GIS development needs.

How to Display GeoServer Skills on Your Resume

10. Mapbox

Mapbox is a location data platform that provides GIS developers with tools and APIs for creating custom maps and location-based services, integrating various mapping, navigation, and spatial analysis functionalities into applications.

Why It's Important

Mapbox is important for a GIS Developer because it provides customizable, easy-to-use, and powerful mapping and location tools that enable the creation of dynamic, interactive maps and the integration of location data into web and mobile applications, enhancing spatial analysis and visualization capabilities.

How to Improve Mapbox Skills

To enhance your Mapbox projects as a GIS Developer, consider the following concise strategies:

1. Optimize Data: Use efficient data formats like GeoJSON or vector tiles. Ensure your data is clean and optimized for web use. Mapbox Data Optimization.

2. Custom Styles: Leverage Mapbox Studio to create or customize your map styles, tailoring the look and feel to your application's needs. Mapbox Studio.

3. Performance Tuning: Implement performance tuning techniques such as reducing the number of visible layers, using simplified geometries, and optimizing tilesets. Mapbox Performance Tips.

4. Use Mapbox GL JS: Utilize Mapbox GL JS for creating interactive and customizable maps with efficient rendering. Mapbox GL JS.

5. Leverage Mapbox APIs: Integrate various Mapbox APIs (Directions, Geocoding, etc.) to add functionality like routing, location search, and more. Mapbox APIs.

6. Responsive Design: Ensure your maps are responsive and accessible across devices. Responsive Design Guide.

7. Security Practices: Implement security best practices, such as restricting API keys and using HTTPS for all requests. Mapbox Security.

8. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with Mapbox's latest features and best practices by following their official documentation and blog. Mapbox Documentation and Mapbox Blog.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the performance, appearance, and functionality of your Mapbox projects.

How to Display Mapbox Skills on Your Resume

11. GDAL/OGR

GDAL/OGR is an open-source library for reading, writing, and transforming geospatial data formats, widely used in GIS development to handle raster (GDAL) and vector (OGR) data.

Why It's Important

GDAL/OGR is crucial for GIS Developers as it provides a versatile toolkit for reading, writing, and transforming geospatial data across a wide range of formats, enabling interoperability and efficient data processing in GIS applications.

How to Improve GDAL/OGR Skills

Improving your skills with GDAL/OGR as a GIS Developer involves a combination of understanding the tools' capabilities, practicing their commands and options, and integrating them into your workflow. Here are concise steps to enhance your GDAL/OGR expertise:

1. Familiarize with the Documentation: Start by thoroughly reading the official GDAL/OGR documentation. It is crucial for understanding the breadth of functionalities and specific commands available.

2. Follow Tutorials: Engage with tutorials and guides that provide step-by-step instructions on different GDAL/OGR functions. The GIS Geography guide is a good starting point for practical examples.

3. Practice Regularly: Apply what you've learned in your projects. Regular use of GDAL/OGR commands will help solidify your understanding and reveal more advanced techniques over time.

4. Join Communities: Participate in forums like Stack Exchange's GIS section or GDAL/OGR GitHub discussions, where you can ask for advice, share your knowledge, and stay updated on new features or best practices.

5. Contribute to Open Source Projects: Consider contributing to the GDAL/OGR GitHub repository by reporting bugs, suggesting features, or submitting patches. This interaction will deepen your understanding and give back to the community.

6. Explore Plugins and Extensions: Many GIS applications have GDAL/OGR plugins or extensions that enhance functionality. Experiment with these to streamline your workflow.

7. Stay Updated: GDAL/OGR is actively developed, with new features and improvements added regularly. Follow OSGeo's news to keep up with updates.

By systematically applying these steps, you will steadily improve your GDAL/OGR skills, contributing to more efficient and effective GIS development work.

How to Display GDAL/OGR Skills on Your Resume

12. Spatial Analysis

Spatial analysis is a set of techniques used in GIS to manipulate, extract, locate and analyze geographic data and patterns in space.

Why It's Important

Spatial analysis is crucial for a GIS Developer as it enables the extraction of valuable insights and patterns from geographical data, facilitating informed decision-making, efficient resource allocation, and predictive modeling, all essential for solving complex spatial problems and enhancing location-based services.

How to Improve Spatial Analysis Skills

To improve Spatial Analysis as a GIS Developer, focus on the following key areas:

1. Enhance your GIS software skills: Master advanced functionalities in software like ArcGIS, QGIS, or other GIS tools. Online tutorials and courses can be highly beneficial.

2. Data Quality and Preparation: Ensure the accuracy and cleanliness of your spatial data. Resources like the NOAA’s Data Management can guide you on best practices.

3. Programming and Automation: Learn GIS programming languages such as Python or R to automate tasks and develop custom analysis tools. Start with Automate the Boring Stuff with Python for practical automation or R Spatial for spatial data analysis in R.

4. Stay Updated with Latest Technologies: Keep abreast of emerging technologies like AI and machine learning in GIS. Explore resources like Esri’s AI and Machine Learning page to see how they are applied in GIS.

5. Networking and Collaboration: Join GIS forums and attend workshops/conferences to learn from experts. Websites like Geonet by Esri provide a platform to interact with other GIS professionals.

6. Spatial Analysis Theory and Techniques: Deepen your understanding of spatial analysis methods. The book "Geographic Information Systems and Science" by Paul A. Longley can be a solid theoretical foundation. Additionally, exploring Spatial Data Science can offer insights into more advanced analysis techniques.

By following these steps and continuously practicing, you can significantly improve your spatial analysis skills as a GIS Developer.

How to Display Spatial Analysis Skills on Your Resume