Cartographer

Air Force Civilian Service; Warner Robins (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan (FERS/TSP)

Paid vacation days

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service seeks a Cartographer to support the Logistics Support Branch, HQ AFRC. The role involves planning drone missions, high-accuracy GPS surveys, training personnel, and processing LiDAR/photogrammetry data for geospatial products.

Applicants should have 3–5 years in geospatial roles, familiarity with ArcGIS Enterprise/Online, sUAS platforms, and strong communication skills to coordinate with military staff. Federal employment benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Geospatial experience: 3–5 years, field data collection, LiDAR, photogrammetry workflows.
• Bachelor's degree in Cartography, GIS, Geography, or related discipline preferred.
• Experience in app development within ArcGIS Enterprise/Online.
• sUAS platforms and remote sensing payloads knowledge.
• Strong communication, training ability, and collaboration with military staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute sUAS flight missions for aerial data collection.
• Plan and perform high-accuracy GPS surveys with control points.
• Instruct personnel on sUAS safety and data collection standards.
• Process LiDAR data and photogrammetry to create 3D and elevation products.
• Publish and optimize ArcGIS services; develop map services and web apps.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

SUAS operations

GPS surveying

ArcGIS development

Teaching/instruction

Team leadership

Education

Cartography or GIS degree

Geospatial-related degree

Tools

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Online

LiDAR processing software

Job description

Come be a part of something big! Smart Minds, Cool Jobs and Awesome Rewards! Fueled by innovation, talent and ambition, the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force.

Experience a fabulous career as a Cartographer, GS-1370-12 part of America’s Federal Civil Service! Dive into the dynamic work experience this entry-level opportunity, beckoning those with at least 3 -5 years of prior work experience. To work with the Logistics Support Branch (HQ AFRC/A4PL), Resource Integration Division (HQ AFRC/A4P), Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection Directorate, located at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, GA.

***This is a Federal Government civilian position – no active or reserve duty commitments***

***Starting 27 September 2025, all Federal resumes must be no more than two (2) pages. Learn More: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit***

***Please submit a college transcript reflecting the following: Coursework includes, but is not limited to cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. This 30-semester-hour total must include at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college-level, non-business mathematics or statistics (e.g., college-level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites). ***

DUTIES:

• sUAS Flight Operations: Plan, coordinate, and execute sUAS (drone) flight missions as an operator/pilot to collect aerial photography, thermal imagery, and LiDAR data over multiple command installations and mission partner areas.
• GPS Surveying: Plan and perform high-accuracy ground-based GPS surveys. Set up survey control points and utilize data collectors and GPS equipment to support precise spatial referencing and control for aerial data acquisition.
• Training & Instruction: Act as an instructor/trainer for sUAS and GPS survey operations. Provide straightforward, hands-on guidance to installation personnel on safety, flight operations, and spatial data collection standards using established command guides and procedures.
• LiDAR & Photogrammetry Processing: Process raw aerial imagery, thermography, and LiDAR data to produce high-quality geospatial products including 3D point clouds, textured 3D meshes, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), Digital Surface Models (DSMs), and orthophotos.
• ArcGIS Enterprise Service & App Development: Publish and optimize map/image services, and design/develop custom web applications, dashboards, and traditional raster data, mosaic datasets, and physical maps to make processed geospatial products easily consumable for mission stakeholders.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• The employee shall be required to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance
• Work requires significant knowledge of installation infrastructures.
• Travel by regularly scheduled commercial or military conveyance in accordance with Joint Travel regulations may be required in performance of temporary duty.
• Must possess a high degree of tact and diplomacy and demonstrated leadership and managerial abilities to successfully execute and manage command operations.
• AF military experience is desirable, but not mandatory, for the successful performance of the work.
• Position will require outdoor fieldwork. The employee must meet physical requirements to perform this work.
• The employee may be recalled to duty and required to work overtime during other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays on an emergency basis.
• The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver’s license may be required for the position.

Education & Experience:

• Basic Education Requirements (Mandatory OPM GS-1370 Cartographer Standard): Candidates must meet one of the following criteria to qualify for this series:
• Degree: Cartography; or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science, and related mathematics. This coursework includes, but is not limited to: cartography, astronomy, geodesy, photogrammetry, physical and geological oceanography, computer science, land surveying, geophysics, physical geography, and remote sensing. This 30-semester-hour total must include at least 6, but no more than 15, semester hours of college-level, non-business mathematics or statistics (e.g., college-level algebra, trigonometry, calculus, or scientific mathematics or statistics requiring equivalent college-level courses as prerequisites).
• Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in cartography, or a major that included or was supplemented by at least 30 semester hours in cartography and/or directly related science and related mathematics (as detailed in option 1 above), plus appropriate professional experience or additional education.

(Note: A bachelor's degree in Cartography, GIS, Civil Engineering, Photogrammetry, Geography, or a closely related discipline is highly preferred.)

• Geospatial Experience: 3 to 5 years of professional geospatial experience, ideally involving field data collection, LiDAR, and photogrammetric workflows.
• Application Development: Experience in app development within ArcGIS Enterprise and/or ArcGIS Online environments is preferred.
• sUAS & Sensor Knowledge: Practical knowledge of sUAS platforms, mission planning software, and remote sensing payloads including LiDAR, optical cameras, and thermal/infrared sensors.
• LiDAR & Photogrammetry Processing: Proficiency in utilizing photogrammetry and point cloud processing software to generate accurate 2D/3D deliverables.
• GPS & Surveying Methodologies: Experience using professional GPS surveying equipment, establishing survey control, and implementing quality control data collection protocols.
• Instructional Capability: Ability to effectively train, guide, and instruct technical and non-technical personnel in sUAS safety, flight operations, and spatial data collection standards using established command guides and training materials.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong written and verbal communication skills to interface with military planners, engineers, and command staff, with the ability to clearly present spatial data workflows and solutions.

BENEFITS:

TIME OFF

• 13 sick leave days

VACATION TIME

• Based upon length of employment … start at 13 days and earn up to 26 days

INSURANCE - No waiting period to qualify for health insurance for you and your family.

RETIREMENT - Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), part of a three-tiered system which contains:

• Basic Benefits Plan
• Social Security
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), similar to a 401 (k)

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AFCS is Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. citizenship required. Must be of legal working age.