Geographers are employed across a wide variety of public sector jobs, from state and local governments to the highest levels of federal agencies. Geographers working for city, county, or state governments develop careers as waste and pollution managers, urban and regional planners, cartographers, and GIS coordinators. In the federal government, geographers are employed in positions ranging from conservationists and census specialists to managers and executives.
A significant number of geographers obtain employment in GIScience, remote sensing, and cartography positions, but geomorphologists trained in watershed analysis, climatologists skilled in regional and global climate change, medical geographers proficient in public health management, and biogeographers knowledgeable about ecosystem processes and deforestation – among many others – are also needed.
Geographers in State and Local Government
Geographers are involved in a variety of state and local government organizations and departments that focus on, but are not limited to:
- Transportation
- Health
- Environmental planning, monitoring, and remediation
- Metropolitan or rural planning
- Economic development
However, state and local governments do not have a common organizational structure. Some local governments may have certain functions that others lack, and functions found within one city may not exist elsewhere, or may be subsumed by county, regional, or state agencies. Some of the most common areas where geographers find work in state and local governments include:
Typically, these organizations will use demographic data to create maps to determine where to place transit routes, or how to alleviate congestion where vehicle counts are high. They may also utilize base maps or census demographic maps provided by other government agencies. Many agencies will have their own schedulers and planners, but may rely on geographers for information on higher level planning decisions. They vary in sophistication from smaller rural systems to larger countywide or regional systems. Smaller systems will often seek technical assistance from geographers at the county or state level.
Geographers in health agencies often map localization or concentration of health issues, such as asthma hospitalization rates, “cancer clusters,” or other environmental health data across a geographic area. Geographers working in public health departments of state and local governments often have backgrounds in human geography, using their skills to understand the interrelations between human activity and the physical environment.
Managing of environmental quality has become a more prevalent function of state and local governments in recent decades. Many states, in an effort to make natural resource protection more efficient by consolidating environmental programs, have formed state environmental agencies that employ geographers. Like their counterparts in federal environmental agencies, geographers at the state level and local levels contribute to a wide range of projects from restoring ecosystems and habitats for endangered species, to monitoring droughts and water resources, to modeling the impacts of climate change on state and local resources.
Urban planning helps communities envision their future and find a balance between new development, environmental conservation, and innovative change. Geographers contribute to this mission by engaging in environmental planning, land use planning, and demographic analysis, where they are often focused on developing models and working with GIS. This information may be integrated into transportation and environmental planning functions to better understand the current environment and where changes may occur in the future.
These agencies seek to attract new firms and promote existing businesses, and will often use GIS to understand how local economic development issues, laws, and policies affect businesses. In many cases, there are restrictions on building in historic preservation districts, wetlands, or similarly regulated areas. Civil servant geographers might be tasked with creating maps or analyses of demographic data, access to highways, or the availability of transit.
Some state and local governments have established departments focused on GIS as a means of developing data and mapping systems for use by public agencies or the public in general. Although the basic capabilities of GIS software may be used across a variety of departments, centralized teams with GIS expertise are now common in many government work environments. These teams focus on tasks such as developing large-scale geographic data, analytical models, and interactive GIS applications that are user-friendly and accessible to the general public. They often support the needs of multiple programs within a department or entire agencies.
Video Interviews with Public Sector Geographers
Richard Quodomine, Senior Lead GIS Analyst for the City of Philadelphia, discussees how he uses geospatial technologies to solve geographic problems in the city.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES
Profiles of geographers
Learn more about geography as a field of study and about careers from geographers working in education, business, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Read about why they chose to pursue geography and how a career can be exciting, meaningful, and successful! Don’t see a particular geographer you think should be spotlighted? We’re open to suggestions!
Carmen Leedham, Senior GIS Analyst
Chaz Olloqui, GIS Specialist
Richard Quodomine, Senior Lead GIS Analyst, Department of Public Property, City of Philadelphia
Who hires geographers?
The following list includes over 330 public sector employers and are based on a review of 61 geography department alumni webpages.
State/Local/Regional Government Employers: Adams County, Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Program, Alameda-Contra Transit, Arizona Conservation Corps, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Geographic Information Office, Arlington County Government, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Austin Energy, Austin Resource Recovery, Bay County, Michigan, Berks County, Pennsylvania Planning Commission, Boise Natural Resources Conservation Department, Borough of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, Boston Public Schools, California Coastal Commission/Califronia Dept. of Boating & Waterways, California Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Conservation, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Transportation, California Department of Water Resources, California Public Utilities Commission, California Water Boards, CalRecycle, Chester County, Pennsylvania, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, City of Allentown Engineering Department, City of Arvin, City of Ashland, Kentucky, City of Athens Engineering and Community Development Department, City of Austin Office of Sustainability, City of Austin Planning and Zoning, City of Austin Urban Forestry, City of Avondale, Arizona, City of Bath, Maine, City of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Department of Planning and Economic Development, City of Bluefield, West Virginia, City of Cedar Park, City of Charlotte, North Carolina, City of Chico, City of Cincinnati Police, City of Clovis, City of Columbia, South Carolina, City of Covington, Kentucky, City of Decatur Planning Department, City of Emeryville, City of Fayetteville, City of Florence Planning Department, City of Florence Utilities Department, City of Franklin, Tennessee, City of Frederick, Maryland, City of Gastonia, North Carolina, City of Geneva, City of Goleta, City of Greenfield, Indiana, City of Hattiesburg, City of High Point Public Services, City of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, City of Humana, Louisville, City of Huntsville Planning Department, City of Lake Elsinore, City of Lakewood, Colorado, City of Lenoir, North Carolina, City of Lincoln, Nebraska, City of Los Angeles, City of Nashville Metro Planning Department, City of Norcross, City of Novato, City of Palo Alto, City of Pflugerville, City of Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development, City of Piedmont, City of Pinehurst, North Carolina, City of Plano, Texas, City of Reading, Pennsylvania Waste Water Treatment Plant, City of Rochester, New York, City of Saginaw, Michigann, City of Salisbury, Maryland, City of San Antonio, City of San Juan Capistrano, City of Santa Ana, City of Santa Maria, City of Santa Rosa, City of Sedona, Arizona, City of Shelby, North Carolina, City of Sheridan, Colorado, City of St. Augustine, Florida, City of Troutdale, Oregon, City of West Jordan, Utah, City of Wilmington, North Carolina, City of Worcestor, Massachusetts, Clay County, Minnesota Utility Authority, Clearfield City, Utah, Clinton County, Pennsylvania GIS Department, Cobb County, Georgia, Collier County, Florida, Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Production, County of DuPage, County of Sacramento, County of San Diego, Crows Nest Natural Area Preserve, D.C. Office of Zoning, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Draper City, Utah, Dubuque County, East Bay Municipal Utility District, East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, Fairfax County Police Department, Fitzgerald Marine Reseve, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Illinois, Franklin County, Alabama, Franklin County, Washington, Georgia Department of Transportation, Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council, Hamilton County, Tennessee, Harnett County, North Carolina, Hendricks County Engineering Department, Heritage Museum and Gardens, Massachusetts, Herriman City, Utah, Howard County Planning and Zoning Development, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Transportation, Intelligent Transportation Systems and Traffic Management at the Kentucky Transportation Center, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments, King County, Washington, Kutztown, Pennsylvania Planning Commission, Lancaster Area, Pennsylvania Sewer Authority, Lancaster County Conservancy, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania GIS Department, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Planning Commission, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania Planning Department, London Tubes System, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Lower Colorado River Authority, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Planning Commission, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania Planning, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Marin County Department of Public Works, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Environmental Service, Maryland National Capital Park, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, MATBUS, Medina County, Ohio, Mesa Arts Center, Arizona, Metro Analytics and Active Planning, Utah, Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency of Nashville, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Minnehaha Creek Watershed, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Green Corps, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montgomery County Planning Department, Murray City, Utah, Nashua Regional Planning Commission, Natural History Museum of Utah, New Castle County, Delaware, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York City Department of Finance, New York City Emergency Management, New York City Parks, New York City Police Department, New York City Public Safety GIS Data Development Center at OEM, New York Department of City Planning, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee, Niagara County Center for Economic Development, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, North Dakota Geological Survey, Office of the Bronx Bureau, Ogden City, Utah, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments, Oklahoma City, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Orleans County, New York, Osterville Village Library, Pender County, North Carolina, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pima County, Arizona, Plumstead Township, Pennsylvania, Putnam County, New York, Regional Development Commissions of Minnesota, Rowan County, North Carolina, San Diego Airport Authority, San Diego Association of Governments, San Francicso Department of Public Health, San Francisco County Transportation Authority, San Francisco Department of the Environment, San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco Planning Department, San Francisco Recreation & Parks Dept., Sandy City, Utah, Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley Water Department, Santa Cruz County Planning Department, Savannah Area GIS, Scurry County, Texas, Shelby County, Tennessee, Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District, Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, St. Paul, Minnesota City Council, State of Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, State of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, State of Washington, Texas Archaeological Research Lab, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Department of Transportation, Texas General Land Office (GLO), Texas Natural Resources Information System, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Railroad Commission, Texas Water Development Board, Three Rivers Park District, Minnesota, Three Rivers Regional Commission, Town of Cheektowaga, New York, Town of Hamburg, New York, Town of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Town of Lancaster, New York Highway Department, Town of Lewisville, North Carolina, Town of Mooresville, North Carolina, Town of Orchard Park, New York, Town of Sudbury, Massachusetts, Town of Westford, Massachusetts, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission of Illinois, Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania, Urban Planning Department of Massachusetts, Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Rivers Council, Utah Transit Authority, Vigo County Area Planning, Village of Algonquin, Village of Orland Park Department of Public Works, Village of Vernon Hills, Virginia Department of Transportation, Wake County, North Carolina, Walnut Creek, Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Department of Transportation, Wayne County, West Virginia, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, West Virginia Department of Highways, West Virginia State Tax Department, Westchester County, New York, Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, Whatcom County, Washington, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Yadkin County, North Carolina
Federal Government/Research Centers/Military/National Parks/Intergovernmental Agencies/Foreign Government/Other Government Employers: American Museum of Natural History, Argonne National Laboratory, Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Central Intelligence Agency, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Defense Mapping Agency, Department of Transportation, Don Edwards National Wildlife Reserve, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Geological Survey of Norway, Georgia National Guard, Glacier National Park, Grand Tetons National Park, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NASA’s Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Climatic Data Center, National Endowment for the Hunamities, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, National Photo Interpretation Center, National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, National Severe Storms Laboratory, National Weather Service, National Wildlife Federation, Naval Research Laboratories, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Rocky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain Research Station, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, Sandia National Laboratories, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, South Korea Ministry of National Defense, Tennessee Valley Authority, The Presidio Trust, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Environmental Compliance Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Green Building Council, U.S. Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Securities and Exchanges Commission, World Bank Group, Yosemite National Park