Candidate Profile - Brendan Streager

My name is Brendan Streager and I live in Melbourne. I have a Multimedia Cartography (RMIT) University degree, where I qualified in 2000. I also have 13 years CAD experience (AutoCAD and MicroStation) incorporating 5 years GIS experience (ArcGIS).

During my 13 years of working full-time in the spatial industry, I have been employed at:

Lonely Planet (2008-2013), Cartographer (GIS/ CAD)

My role at Lonely Planet was to update/ create maps for travel books ie.updating the datasets (ArcGIS) and AutoCAD maps. The mapping process included interpreting corrections made by authors & editors, as well as considering other factors made by those involved in the book’s production on how the maps should look.

Management gave me the opportunity to be the first to coordinate new style books, based on my ability to capture any mapping issues. This included the quality of our data, and any documentation, specification or style issues.

I was also given the opportunity to deliver training (creating Lonely Planet maps in GIS) to new cartographers.

Melway Publishing (2004-2008), Cartographer (CAD)

My role at Melway was to draft in amendments to the map datasets and custom projects as required.  This involved point & line data, GPS data, aerial photos, artist’s drawings etc., as well as source other information to complete these tasks using cadastre, aerial photos etc. I liaised with field researchers and quality control staff to ensure map accuracy was achieved.

I was appointed acting team leader, as I kept to a tight time schedule for the production of each section of the various street directories.

I consistently produced customised maps (eg.wall maps and fold-out maps) within a given time frame and achieved overall customer satisfaction. These tasks involved efficiently communicating with external and internal clients.

Dataflow (Logica CMG) (2000-2004), GIS Project Officer Data Capture

My role at Dataflow was to update the Cadastral State Digital Mapbase (C-SDMB). This meant adding and/ or modifying old and new subdivisions, as well as amending or correcting the map base in order to fit some of these subdivisions in. These included body corporate plans, multi-level subdivisions and large estates.

In a supervisory capacity, I was given the task of thoroughly checking proposed rural plans prepared by various employees. I noted down and corrected any errors made and explained these to the employee concerned as well as providing an error list to the manager.

My knowledge and experience in understanding AutoCad and the C-SDMB, enabled me to assist and train other employees.

My GIS experience includes a lengthy stint in the GIS Analyst role at Lonely Planet. I have had experience with definition queries/ basic programming in order to extract/ select data. I have dealt with KML/KMZ files when setting up datasets/ creating new data. I have learnt about the creation of personal geodatabases, and adding/ modifying data or fields to the geodatabase. One such example was when I had to migrate/ transfer the data of a number of AutoCAD maps into ArcGIS. I have excellent skills/ experience in digitising and GIS data capture including interpreting/ using satellite imagery and aerial photos.

I have excellent team member, organisational and communication skills. I also have a strong understanding of customer needs & map/ product specifications, as well as an excellent grasp of data quality vs quantity. For example, at Lonely Planet, I was the Coordinating Cartographer for a large number of guide books. It was very important to make sure each deadline in the map production process was met. This meant liaising with team members on a regular basis and addressing any issues which held up production as soon as possible. As Coordinating Cartographer, it also meant that I needed to make sure that assisting cartographers were aware and had met all the requirements in regards to the map specifications for that book.

The mapping software packages I’m most proficient in are AutoCAD/ CadPublisher, MicroStation, ArcGIS and Illustrator. I am also proficient in Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, Publisher & PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat, Bridge and Photoshop. I have a basic knowledge of MapInfo, CorelDraw, Director, SQL, C++, MDL, HTML and ERMapper.

I have joined up with Cartographic/ GIS groups on Linkedin, which provides me with an insight into where the spatial industry is heading. It includes GIS training and new GIS tools, and any new interesting maps or products being created or discussed about.

My preference is to find work within the Melbourne Metropolitan area. I’m looking for a GIS Analyst/ Officer position, or any role relating to cartography. I also prefer a full-time or contract position, and I’m prepared to start work immediately.

I am also willing to undertake training outside working hours, in order to meet the requirements of the role in question.

Here are my contact details:

Brendan Streager

20/310 Warrigal Rd, Cheltenham, Vic, 3192

Mobile: 0421 972 560

Email: bstreager@hotmail.com