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Posted on 15 days ago

Creative Services UAS (Drone) Pilot

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition Id 13835 

 

Overview:  

ORNL’s Creative Services Division is seeking a photographer or video producer to serve as a UAS (drone) pilot and the point person for its fleet of drones. Creative Services has a team of photographers and videographers who fly the systems in order to capture aerial images and video of the Lab’s campus and facilities. The ideal candidate will possess knowledge, skills and abilities as a photographer or videographer.

 

The successful candidate must be comfortable operating drones safely with close proximity to buildings and other objects and either possess, or be able to quickly obtain, an FAA part 107 license. The successful candidate will focus on planning, safety, training and directing missions to use the Group’s fleet of drones to capture professional aerial photos and videos, 3Dimaging, and Matterport virtual tours. This position resides in the PVRD Group in the Creative Services Division, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  

 

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

  • Plan, direct and execute PVRD drone flights to capture needed, high quality aerial photos and videos for use in a variety of professional products. Operate drones in compliance with FAA regulations and guidelines, specifically under Part 107 and within DOE regulations.
  • Provide additional support for the PVRD team, such as planning and executing photo shoots, planning and executing video shoots, project coordination, scheduling and other general administrative tasks as needed.
  • Collect and enter metadata into the PVRD photo gallery.
  • Oversee maintenance, security and regular software updates for drone fleet.
  • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • BS degree in a related field.
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in operating drones for commercial purposes.
  • Valid FAA Part 107 certification for commercial drone operations.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Additional certifications or training related to drone operations or security.
  • Experience in conducting aerial surveillance or security operations using drones.
  • Experience in photography or video production.
  • Project Coordination experience.
  • Familiarity with security protocols and procedures.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

 

Special Requirements:

  • Valid FAA Part 107 certification for commercial drone operations.
  • Proven experience as an FAA 107 Pilot, preferably in a security or related field.
  • Strong knowledge of FAA regulations and guidelines for drone operations.
  • Proficiency in operating and maintaining drones for image-capturing purposes.
  • UAS assembly, pre-flight planning, safety briefings, FAA airspace & airport tower coordination, checklists, and overall mission-readiness.
  • Maintain and inspect drones regularly to ensure proper functioning and adherence to safety standards.
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively in a team.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills.

 

Physical Requirements:

Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions.  Successful candidate will be expected to carry equipment and execute missions on foot at various locations onsite.

 

Visa Sponsorship:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

 

Benefits at ORNL:  

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

 

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

 

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

 

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

 

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.