Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Niagara Falls, New York
Salary Range: $78091 - $101524 Per Year
Job Summary: The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the principle Cartographic and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician for the development, management, and maintenance of the Command's GeoBase Program. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Technical and Medical Support Positions, Cartographic Technician Series 1371. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-10, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes comprehensive practical knowledge of geospatial sciences concepts, principles and practices including cartography, GIS, remote sensing, and data visualization, and their applications to facilities and resource management of military installations; Intensive practical knowledge of digital geospatial. CADD/GIS and derivative processes and products including data production, management, archives maintenance processing, applications and the associated standards, including Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS)/Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 173, Federal Geographic Committee (FGC) Standards, and the Spatial Data Standard for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment(SDSFIE) to develop GIS capability while complying with AF technical, policy, and interoperability requirements; Knowledge of Relational Data Base Management Systems (RDBMS}principles and practices including SQL and relational database interface Knowledge of Windows operating systems and commonly used office software; Extensive knowledge and experience with various Commercial Off-The- Shelf (COTS) CADD/GIS applications such as Auto Desk MAP, AutoCAD and ArcGIS; Knowledge and experience is required to exercise judgment in selecting, rejecting, and interpreting data. Considerable time is spent searching for information and in discussions with the customers and program managers of information systems being considered for migration to WCSAT and/or the enterprise GIS; In-depth knowledge and experience with surveying standards, procedures, and techniques. Knowledge of standard practices and techniques used in engineering/architectural drafting and the development of site plans, topographic surveys, maps, and facility management plans. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-10 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of AFRC Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and GeoBase Program as a whole. Thorough knowledge of Cartographic techniques and procedures used in electronic and hardcopy map production to support AFRC's GeoBase Program at Niagara Falls ARS. Ability to apply standard mathematical and statistical concepts to the development of GIS imagery, themes and coverages. Ability to modify standard practices and adapt equipment or techniques to solve a variety of cartographic problems. 2. Thorough knowledge of CADD/GIS applications software including AutoDesk MAP. AutoCAD, and ArcGIS. Knowledge of macro programming languages as used in the development of automated CADD/GIS applications. Knowledge of database management principles and practices. Extensive knowledge of AutoDesk MAP, AutoCAD and ArcGIS with skill in designing, organizing, and managing diverse digital databases as related to GIS. Experience with SQL, and one or more Relational Database Systems such as MS SQL, Oracle, or MS Access. 3. Extensive practical knowledge of theories, principles, practices, and application of GIS and GPStechnology. Ability to relate GIS technology to professional disciplines such as Community Planning, Engineering, Cartography, Geography, and Natural Resource Sciences. 4. Skill in working with complex teams of technical experts and computer end users and the ability to communicate both orally and in writing. 5. Ability to apply knowledge of current automated information systems and practices to development of enterprise GIS. Ability to apply systems analysis and design methodologies. Ability to deal tactfully. cooperatively, and diplomatically with others. Technical knowledge of surveying methods, equipment, and techniques in the measurement or determination of distances, elevations, areas, angles, land boundaries and other features of the earth's surface. 6. Skill in maintaining and operating scanners, digitizers, plotters and reproduction machines. Ability to make mathematical computations using standardized tables and formulas. Skill in sufficiently planning, estimating, scheduling, and expediting the production of a variety of maps and visual aids involving both manual and automated production operations and support services. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/12/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12901441 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Application Deadline: 2026-03-12