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Form of workJob Description
The Geospatial Field Technician / Drone Pilot is responsible for effective and efficient data collection at customer sites around the country using a variety of methods and gear:
Primary: Still images and/or video of objects of interest using cameras and sensors mounted on multi-rotor or small fixed wing drones.
Primary: Still images and/or video of objects of interest using cameras and sensors mounted on multi-rotor or small fixed wing drones.
- Secondary: Collection of survey-grade accurate 3D data using man-portable, truck-mounted, and UAV-mounted lidar and/or drone photogrammetry.
- Plus other methods as needed as the company grows into new areas.
For the vast majority of jobs, if not all jobs, we expect this role to be using some type of drone / UAV / UAS / sUAS as part of the data collection process. The ideal candidate must be highly proficient (or have the potential to be highly proficient) in automated flight as well as manual flying around obstacles and structures in an industrial environment. The Drone Pilot is expected to perform RPIC or VO responsibilities & tasks in a safe, consistent, and highly repeatable manner.
A candidate for this role must be willing to deploy to remote locations across the continent, work extended hours independently or as a member of a small team with no direct supervision, and cross-train on multiple platforms depending on mission type.
Attention to detail, following standard operating procedures (SOPs), professionalism, and adapting to unexpected changes and situations is a must.
IMPORTANT: There is a great deal of nation-wide travel associated with this job (see below for details).
Duties and Responsibilities
- Perform topographic surveys of Landfills and Mining Operations using a combination of mobile LiDAR (Riegl, LidarUSA, or other), stationary scanning, drone photogrammetry (DJI, Sensefly, or other) and total station equipment.
- Perform industrial inspection of tall structures, power poles, or towers using various multi-rotor sUAS. Includes various payloads operation; camera settings, lighting conditions, for RGB and thermal sensors.
- Conduct pre-flight and post-flight operations.
- UAV assembly, pre-flight planning, safety briefings, FAA airspace & airport tower coordination, checklists, and overall mission-readiness.
- Post-flight UAV equipment tear-down, maintenance and storage.
- Complete of all flight log and post mission documentation.
- Be responsible for the operation and maintenance of supporting equipment including 4x4 truck with secure storage, on-board inverters and generators for battery charging stations, and computer work stations.
- Pre-process and deliver collected survey data within 24 hours to our processing and engineering teams using multiple software packages; evaluate data accuracy and sufficiency, and ensure deliverables meet client expectations and professional standards.
- Perform quality control checks of collected data to ensure accuracy and that the client's needs will be met.
- Serve as a point of contact with clients regarding project scope, scheduling needs, deliverables and follow-up.
- Ability to travel extensively and perform some weekend work.
Travel
There is a lot of travel associated with this job, done via company truck. Almost every week Geospatial Field Technicians are scheduled for jobs more than a few hours from their home location. Many jobs are a day’s drive away or greater.
Additionally, for several months each year, Geospatial Field Technicians have a very heavy schedule, likely requiring work in the field every week day, travel away from home for weeks at a time, and working several weekends each month. It is normally not possible to take vacation during these periods.
Qualifications and Skills (Experience and Education)
An applied knowledge of surveying references such as coordinates systems, projections, datums, geoids and state plane zones preferred.
Topographic surveying experience in land development, mining, solid waste or similar industries preferred.
Very strong technical capacity; ability to learn and master multiple software packages, pieces of hardware and different workflows.
High attention to detail.
Experience in 3D CAD deliverables and 3D feature extraction from point clouds, surface models and digital terrain models.
Must have a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License
Physical Demands
- Must be able to wear and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including hardhat, protective eyewear, boots, safety vests or harness, 2-way radios, and other PPE as required by mission;
- Perform physically demanding work involving frequent standing, sitting, kneeling, bending, stooping, climbing up ladders around large objects, and walking on gravel and other uneven surfaces, carrying equipment +/- 60 lbs.
- Willingness to be deployed at remote locations for extended periods of time (possibly longer than 1 week).
- Working extended hours, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
- Exposure to extreme heat and cold; Must work outside in all types of weather conditions (rain, sleet, snow, wind, dust, extreme heat/cold)
- Ability to drive for extended periods (500+ miles) in a day
- Working in and around industrial hazards
