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Create Maps and Analyze Spatial Data
As far as analyzing data, I am proficient at analyzing data in both raster and vector formats. My
experience listed above exhibits my flexibility with both ESRI and Bentley Map GIS software. I started
as an analyst with buffering, intersections and proximity analysis utilizing the digitized USGS quad
maps and Central Appraisal District (CAD) GIS data. I was able to identify commercial and personal
property that would be impacted by our existing or proposed project(s) alignments and create maps and
tables via selection set queries that depicted the market values, addresses and owners.
The ArcDesktop - I class focused on defining how people use GIS to create information from various
data sources and apply them to solve issues and make decisions. I started exploring other data
sources such as: USGS, NGA, NASA, Census Bureau, DOI, and NOAA. I immediately began
searching for and utilizing electronic data from USGS and NGA as background maps and using
overlays that referenced CADD, bathymetry, GPS cross-sections, real estate topology, etc. to create
large GIS projects for spatial analysis. I developed skills for reprojecting and transforming multiple
datasets into a single projection for analysis. Experience taught me that clipping and merging project
datasets to eliminate excess data would speed up geoprocessing.
Some of the most challenging analysis I have had to perform is related to our Coastal Texas study.
The analysis involves datasets from local, state and other federal agencies, some of which is spatial
while other information is tabular. I created a series of unique identifiers and foreign keys allowing us
to relate and join this information and finally mapping the analysis outputs using ArcGIS. The analysis
consisted of raster and vector files types using both Spatial and 3D analyst tools. This was not without
frustration, but taking time to develop a strategy would allow the study to utilize the best possible data
from all the agencies.
Training for ArcDesktop – II followed immediately after and I was introduced to the principles of utilizing
ArcMap and ArcCatalog for project workflow and analysis. I learned how to create geodatabases,
feature classes and feature datasets utilizing ArcCatalog to keep my project data well organized. I
started rationalizing the possibility of relational databases such as MS SQL to allow for larger GIS
project data collections and storage. I started by utilizing Microsoft Access and developing tables
containing primary and foreign key identifiers to enable table relationships in ArcDesktop. I created
the District’s first data dictionary defining our important GIS features for navigation and associated
attributes such as channel centerlines, channel toes, property locations, buoys, fences, and placement
areas. The data dictionary proved useful when creating the database tables since it was a defined
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