What are the responsibilities and job description for the Event Drone Pilot (Part-Time) position at San Antonio Spurs?
At Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E), we work in service of something bigger than ourselves.
To us it is so much more than just a game or concert. It takes all the members of our Spurs team to harness the power of sports and entertainment to create moments that excite, memories that endure, and connections that strengthen our community. SS&E owns and operates the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Austin Spurs (NBA G-League), and the San Antonio FC (USL), and manages day-to-day operations of the Frost Bank Center, Toyota Field and STAR Complex.
We know that our people are our greatest asset as an organization. We aspire to provide our teams with meaningful work, to live our values -Integrity, Success & Caring – day-to-day in what we do and foster an inclusive culture for our 1K employee workforce.
The Event Drone Pilot is responsible for the safe and compliant operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to support parking operations, traffic monitoring, and real-time situational awareness at Frost Bank Center, Toyota Field, and surrounding areas during both event and non-event days.
This role plays a key part in enhancing operational efficiency and safety by monitoring traffic flow, parking utilization, and crowd movement. The Drone Pilot captures and communicates aerial data to assist parking and venue operations teams in making informed, real-time decisions.
The pilot must ensure full compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Part 107) regulations, as well as all company policies and safety standards.
All drone equipment and necessary resources will be provided by Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E). The Event Drone Pilot will collaborate with internal departments as needed and is not responsible for supplying personal equipment.
What You’ll Do:
- Operate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in a safe and compliant manner during event and non-event days, ensuring adherence to FAA Part 107 regulations and all applicable laws.
- Monitor and assess traffic flow, parking utilization, and pedestrian movement using aerial footage to support operational efficiency.
- Provide real-time situational awareness and communicate actionable insights to Parking and Venue Operations teams.
- Conduct pre-flight inspections, risk assessments, and airspace checks prior to all drone operations.
- Coordinate with internal departments (Parking, Security, Operations) and adjust operations based on changing conditions such as weather, crowd density, and emergencies.
- Capture, document, and report aerial data, including post-event summaries and operational insights to stakeholders.
- Ensure proper handling, storage, and maintenance of drone equipment; escalate equipment issues or safety concerns as needed
Who You Are:
- Current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) required.
- 1–2 years of experience operating unmanned aerial systems (UAS), preferably in a live event, sports, or operational environment.
- Strong understanding of FAA regulations, airspace authorization, and safe flight operations.
- Ability to interpret aerial data and communicate insights to operational teams.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills with the ability to coordinate across departments.
- Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules.
- Ability to pass background checks and comply with all SS&E employment requirements
Physical Requirements:
- The employee must be able to:
- Stand, walk, and remain stationary for extended periods during events.
- Work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and low-light environments.
- Lift, carry, and transport equipment weighing up to 25–30 pounds.
- Maintain visual focus and hand-eye coordination for extended periods while operating UAS.
- Use hands and fingers to operate drone controls and related equipment.
- Communicate effectively via radio and other communication devices.
- Respond quickly to changing environments and operational needs.
In every position, each employee is expected to: demonstrate alignment with SS&E’s core values and mission, collaborate with internal/external community members and demonstrate ongoing development.
If you don’t have experience in every single bullet above, no sweat – we still want to hear from you and encourage you to apply!
SS&E is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Nothing contained in this job description is intended to be a contract of employment, nor does any information contained here represent a guarantee of employment for a specific duration. Your employment with SS&E is “at will", which means that either you or SS&E may terminate the relationship at any time. Essential functions listed above must be performed with or without accommodations.