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A Brief Summary of This Position :

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Pilots are responsible for piloting high end drone systems used for aerial inspections of transmission line structures, among other applications.

As the pilot in command, the UAS Pilot has ultimate say in ensuring safe flight operations in the field. The pilot also will document environmental conditions and known hazards, and coordinate with the project manager or other Valmont personnel to confirm aircraft deconfliction notice filings with customers and the FAA.

Often, UAS Pilots work in conjunction with a camera operator and a visual observer (VO), and must demonstrate strong teamwork, communication skills and crew resource management.

Essential Functions :

UAS Pilots must be able to safely operate drones in close quarters, and be able to execute emergency landing procedures in the event of signal loss or other danger sudden high winds).

They will be required to learn and adhere to specific flight SOPs for aerial inspections and for operating within specified weather conditions to ensure safety.

In addition, the position of UAS Pilots entails the following responsibilities :

• This position reports to the Principal Pilot and has no direct or indirect reports
• This role requires heavy travel (60-95%), including overnight stays, to the location of specified UAS projects
• Communicate clearly and directly with the camera operator (and VO) throughout the duration of each flight
• Respond immediately to any issues with the drone, whether experienced personally or identified by the camera operator or VO
• Maintain awareness of surroundings and known hazards at all time during flight operations
• Examine all gear (drone, props, controllers, monitors, batteries) prior to each flight and pause operations if anomalies are found
• Clean all gear upon return to main office at the end of each day and return items to correct locations for safe storage
• Maintain daily crew flight and inspection activity logs

Other Important Details about the Role :

The UAS Pilot must have a fundamental understanding of drone functionality and be able to perform routine maintenance checks to identify equipment in need of repair or replacement.

Since a UAS Pilot may have to monitor the drone’s equipment while also communicating with the camera operator and VO, they should be capable of multitasking effectively.

UAS Pilots also will be responsible for executing safety protocols at the work site including completing written Task Hazard Analysis forms, implement Emergency Action Plans and securing the area for drone flights.

Required Qualifications of Every Candidate (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) :

• Basic computer skills, including file transfer and organization, and familiarity with the iOS platform are required
• The UAS Pilot is part of a larger team of pilots, camera operators, VOs and inspectors, and should demonstrate a positive attitude, flexibility, and good communication skills
• All team members are expected to be proactive in offering help and pitching in where they can to ensure operations go smoothly and maintain a welcoming work environment
• UAS Pilots also should have good mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and problem solving skills, and be able to proactively seek out answers for any equipment or work-related issues that arise
• UAS Pilots must have FAA Part 107 Certification
• Must be able to successfully complete Ascend Level 2 Training
• Ability to travel up to 95% and have valid driver’s license
• UAS Pilots must hold or be able to obtain an OSHA-30 Certification, FEMA / DHS NIMS / ICS certifications, FCC Radio Operators Licenses, First Aid / CPR certification, and valid driver’s license, and must be comfortable working outdoors in remote environments in both hot and cold weather

Highly Qualified Candidates Will Also Possess These Qualifications :

• Preferred Bachelors or Associates Degree or 2 years of relevant experience
• Must be familiar with flying drone platforms of various sizes and be able to learn the platform(s) used for Valmont drone operations
• Experience with flying in and around energized utility lines and aerial structures
• Experience with RTK drone technology
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop
• Inspector certificates from ASNT or NACE

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Last updated : 2024-03-26