Drone Operator Remote Pilot

KNC Strategic Services is seeking drone operators (remote pilots) to surveille the largest port in the western hemisphere.

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Project Scope of Work The Contractor shall provide personnel to serve as RPIC of Harbor Department’s unmanned aircraft, operated from a console at the TDC, performing the tasks below: 2.2A Start of Shift 1. Verify that each assigned aircraft is docked, airworthy, charged, and free of visible damage, and that its dock is powered, clear of obstruction, and communicating; 2. Verify that the ground control station, video link, data link, recording, and radio equipment at the console are functioning; 3. Review current and forecast weather, including wind, visibility, ceiling, and precipitation, against the operating limits in Department policy and applicable COA or waiver provisions; 4. Review airspace status, Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs), Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), and any scheduled harbor, terminal, or bridge activity affecting flight operations; 5. Confirm the on-duty approving supervisor and the radio channels in use; and 6. Report any aircraft, dock, or system discrepancy to the supervisor before it affects a response and record it. 2.2B Monitoring and Launch 1. Monitor calls for service, radio traffic, camera systems, and other incoming information available at the console for incidents where aircraft support is appropriate under Department policy; 6 2. Upon approval by a Harbor Department supervisor, launch the nearest staged aircraft and navigate it to the location; 3. Conduct the pre-flight checks required by Harbor Department policy and applicable FAA authorizations before each flight, including weather, airspace, aircraft state, and link integrity; and 4. Operate at all times within Part 107, the Harbor Department’s COA and BVLOS authorization conditions, and Harbor Department’s UAS policy. 2.2C In Flight 1. Maintain safe separation from other aircraft, vessels, cranes, container stacks, structures, wires, and persons on the ground; 2. Continuously describe by radio what the camera is observing to responding officers and supervisors, including scene layout, access and egress routes, hazards, the location and description of persons and vehicles involved, direction of travel, and any other information that helps officers understand what they are arriving to; 3. Adjust altitude, position, and camera angle at the direction of the supervisor; 4. Maintain awareness of battery state and plan recovery with adequate reserve; 5. Return the aircraft to its dock when released by the directing supervisor, or sooner if weather, battery state, aircraft condition, airspace, or any other safety factor requires; and 6. Where multiple requests compete, fly the assignment prioritized by the supervisor. 2.2D After each Flight 1. Confirm the aircraft is docked, secured, and charging, and that the dock is closed and reporting normally; 2. Complete a written flight record in the Harbor Department’s system of record, as specified in Section 2.6 of this document; 3. Confirm that recorded video and telemetry have been retained and are accessible in accordance with Harbor Department policy; and 4. Report any anomaly, damage, malfunction, loss of link, airspace conflict, or unplanned landing immediately to the supervisor, and document it. 2.2E Aircraft Care 1. Perform routine care of assigned aircraft within the scope permitted by Harbor Department policy and the manufacturer: battery management and cycle tracking, cleaning, visual inspection, propeller and airframe checks, firmware and software updates as directed; 2. Maintain the aircraft's logbook or maintenance record; 3. Promptly report any damage, malfunction, or condition requiring manufacturer-level service; and 4. Contractor's personnel shall not perform repairs beyond those authorized by the Harbor Department. 7 2.2F Excluded from Scope of Work The Operator shall not: initiate flight without supervisor approval; perform any law enforcement function; conduct flights for any purpose other than a Harbor Department approved mission; operate any aircraft other than those assigned by the Harbor Department; or release, copy, or transmit imagery or data outside Harbor Department systems. 2.3 Hours of Coverage and Staffing Base coverage- One qualified Operator on console at the TDC, 12 hours per day, 7 days per week, on a shift schedule set by the Project Manager or their designee. Shift start and end times may be adjusted by the Project Manager or their designee with 14 days' notice to align coverage with call volume and budget. Minimum staffing- One Operator on duty at all times during scheduled coverage hours. The Contractor shall not leave a scheduled shift unstaffed. Shift relief and gaps- The Contractor shall notify the Project Manager immediately of any anticipated or actual coverage gap. Unstaffed scheduled hours are not invoiced and are subject to Section 2.7 of this document. Holidays and Port closures- Coverage is required on Department-designated holidays unless the Project Manager directs otherwise in writing. Port closures, tactical alerts, and emergency activations do not relieve the Contractor of coverage obligations. No idle-time reduction- The Operator remains on console and available throughout the shift regardless of call volume, and performs the monitoring, documentation, aircraft care, and training tasks in this Scope of Work during periods without active flights. 2.4 Operator Qualifications and Licensing Every individual the Contractor assigns shall meet all of the following before performing any work under this contract and shall maintain them for the duration of the assignment. 2.4A Certification and Currency 1. Current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with small UAS rating under 14 CFR Part 107; 2. Current Part 107 recurrent training completed within the preceding 24 calendar months; 3. Documented ability to operate under a public-agency COA and BVLOS authorization, including the recordkeeping and limitation conditions those authorizations impose; 8 4. Documented flight experience: not less than 100 hours of logged Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) pilot-in-command time, of which not less than 25 hours are from a remote or docked-aircraft console rather than a hand controller; and 5. Documented experience operating in controlled airspace. 2.4B Preferred Qualifications The Harbor Department may weigh, but shall not require: prior public safety DFR experience; prior law enforcement, fire, or military aviation experience; experience with the Department's aircraft and dock platform; and FAA Part 107 waiver authoring experience.

AI generated resumes will not be considered. Only US Citizens residing in the USA will be considered. No third party referrals or agency submissions will be accepted.

Pay: $50.00 - $125.00 per hour

Work Location: In person