Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operator

POSITION: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operator

BENEFITS: Full benefit package (retirement, medical, dental, vision, sick leave, 12 ½ paid holidays annually)

STATUS: Regular full time, subject to six (6) month probation period

Definition of the Position Under direction, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operator position functions in an applicator capacity utilizing the District's unmanned aircraft systems. Knowing FAA rules and regulations is crucial, and the UAS Operator must be able to operate in a safe and effective manner.

Essential Duties

1. Conducts site surveys to determine location requirements for equipment placement, hazards, obstructions, property owner notifications, or other needs.
2. Fills various roles in the UAS operation including serving as Pilot in Command (PIC), Safety Pilot, and Visual Observer (VO).
3. Familiarity with ArcGIS, Google Earth, Google apps, UAV piloting apps, and gathering, managing, and analyzing geospatial data.
4. Knowledge of the federal regulations governing all civil aviation in the United States as established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Strong knowledge of Part 107 regulations, airspace, operations procedures. Strong knowledge of the various aspects of the Unmanned Pest Control Aircraft Pilot requirements.
5. Ensures that all work is timely and adequately assigned, accurate and per District's Mosquito Assessment and Control Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Flight Operations Manual (FOM), Unmanned Aircraft System Program (MAC-UASP).
6. Ensures compliance with District Product Rotation guidelines and communicates deviations to immediate supervisor.
7. Experience with video cameras, video camera equipment, storage media and drone cloud computing services.
8. Ensures smart controller unit, application equipment, charging equipment and personal protection equipment are properly maintained for UAS Operations. Assists with any maintenance that is needed to keep equipment in good working condition. Knowledge of or experience working with mechanical systems, tools or machines is required.
9. Assists Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Coordinator in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of the Unmanned Aerial System Vector Control Program.
10. Assists with annual calibration events for all UAS application equipment.
11. Contributes to a high-performance environment characterized by positive leadership and a strong team orientation.
12. Communicates regularly with UAS Coordinator and Operations Manager on progress toward defined goals and/or required results.
13. Performs other related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of safe and legal vehicle operation and standard safety practices. Ability to: learn, understand and perform the duties and responsibilities of the UAS Operator position including the mechanics, general principals and techniques of mosquito and related vector control, including the proper use of pesticides and safety precautions; work independently and responsibly with minimum supervision; operate computers, mobile devices and related software applications including graphing and mapping; safely operate a motor vehicle and standard district equipment related to vector control work; understand and follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective, cooperative relations with co-workers, supervisors and the general public; communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; read and write at a level required for successful job performance.

Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED; some college coursework preferred, and possession of a California Department of Public Pesticide Application and Safety/Mosquito Biology and Control, Vertebrate Vector Control and Terrestrial Invertebrate Vector Control Gold Card and a Part 107 Remote Operator and Unmanned Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate is required. Gold Card and Pilot Certification must be maintained throughout employment.

One (1) year or more full-time experience as a Vector Control Technician desirable, but not required.

Other relevant knowledge and abilities may be considered in-lieu of, or in addition to, the foregoing.

Other: Possession of a valid California Driver license and driving record acceptable to CVMVCD insurance carrier; must possess State Vector Control Certifications in all four categories (Public Pesticide Application and Safety, Mosquito Biology and Control, Vertebrate Vector Control, and Terrestrial Invertebrate Vector Control).

Working Conditions: The UAS Operator position performs physical work with exposure to dust, fumes, odors, inclement weather, and outside working conditions; may be exposed to chemicals, pesticides, insect bites, communicable diseases, vicious/poisonous animals, poisonous plants, and other hazards, and verbally abusive behavior from hostile individuals.

Functional Requirements:

• Ability to mix, load, and apply pesticides in containers weighing up to 50 pounds according to label specifications and established standards; and periodically traverse uneven ground such as fields, dirt banks, stream beds, and shallow ponds carrying equipment and materials up to 50 pounds; operate specialized equipment such as boats, all-terrain vehicles, and other mechanized equipment.
• Operate daily, a full-size heavy-duty 4x4 truck towing an enclosed cargo trailer with UAS Equipment and transportation utility vehicle. Ability to operate gas powered generator to facilitate UAS Operations via the cargo trailer.
• Ability to tolerate exposure to hazardous control materials, venomous insects, vectors and vector-borne diseases, rough terrain, inclement weather conditions, vicious animals, poisonous plants, and animals.
• Ability to use gross manipulation by hand; carry items; perform repetitive motion associated with computer usage; walk; climb a ladder and operate spray equipment; bend; twist; crawl; balance; lift; push; perform simple grasping; power grip; squat/crouch; kneel; reach; climb; pull; smell.
• Ability to demonstrate measurable visual depth perception and color vision; have a minimum of single ear aided hearing.

Other relevant knowledge and abilities may be considered in-lieu of, or in addition to, the foregoing.

Environmental Conditions:

Approximately half of the work is performed in extremely high temperatures which may include the requirement that heavy protective gear and equipment be carried. Extreme dryness is present much of the time although some weather conditions or locations include humid conditions. The employee will be exposed to hazards which include insect bites, chemicals, fumes, and dust.

Successful completion of pre-employment physical examination, drug screening, and background check.