SWCA Environmental Consultants is actively seeking a dynamic individual to join our Texas operations as a Data Specialist - UAV Pilot and GIS. Operating from offices in Houston, Arlington, San Antonio, or Austin, this position will play a crucial role in supporting our growing Data Acquisition Team. You will have the unique opportunity to be one of our Remote Pilot in Command of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flights in the field as well as conducting geospatial work related to Natural and Cultural Resource programs in the South region. Join a team of over 70 GIS Professionals with diverse expertise in GIS design, cartography, and data management.
This is a Full-time, Regular (with benefits), Hourly opportunity with the flexibility of hybrid or remote work environment. Preferred candidates will be located within driving distance of Texas offices listed above, and remote candidates within the Central Time Zone will also be considered.
Position Levels Considered:
- Assistant Data Acquisition Specialist – typically an entry level position
- Data Acquisition Specialist – typically with 6-12 month of relevant experience and expertise
- Senior Data Acquisition Specialist – typically with up to 2 years of relevant experience and expertise
What you will accomplish
- Act as a Remote Pilot in Command of UAV flights
- Plan and execute UAV flights in support of mapping projects in a safe and professional manner
- Collaborate with GIS, Natural Resources, and Cultural Resources Teams to prepare web-based field maps, process field collected data, and generate maps to be included in reports needed to satisfy
- Independently and as part of a team, solve problems related to data research, data management, and data visualization
- Maintain productivity ≥ 85%
- Contribute to a collaborative work environment
- Use Esri’s ArcGIS Pro for data management, production/editing, spatial analyses, and production of high-quality field maps and report figures
- Follow data management best practices and provide technical support for a variety of mobile data collection systems including tablets, GPS receivers, Esri’s Field Maps and Survey123 applications
- Create high-quality map products using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online
- Assist in designing, creating, maintaining, and QA/QC of spatial datasets
Experience and qualifications for success
Required:
- Minimum of an associate’s degree in GIS, Geography, Cartography, Archaeology, Biology, Environmental Science, Information Science, Data Analytics, Computer Science, Land Survey, Engineering, or related equivalent experience with a GIS certificate.
- Hold or have previously held a Part 107 Certification to fly UAVs commercially, or have the ability to be recertified within 30 days of employment
- Knowledge of FAA Part 107 regulations related to UAV operations
- Experience conducting field work or data collection in the field using UAV technology
- Willingness to travel up to 60% of the time
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in GIS, Geography, Cartography, Archaeology, Biology, Environmental Science, Information Science, Data Analytics, Computer Science, Land Survey, Engineering, or related field
- Two (2) years of experience working in a GIS position post-education
- Experience flying UAVs with varying sizes and sensor payloads
- Experience obtaining FAA Part 107 waivers to operate UAVs in regulated airspace or at night
- Familiarity with UAV data processing software (e.g., Pix4D)
- Familiarity with the principles of photography, camera settings, aerial data collection, etc.
- Knowledge/experience working with local or federal regulatory agencies such as the USACE, FERC, USFS, NPS, BLM, USGS, etc.
- Knowledge/experience applying GIS to the development of a construction project (preliminary site assessments, permitting, progress monitoring, OM&M)
- Knowledge/experience with energy projects (e.g., wind, solar, fossil fuels)
- Knowledge/experience with data transfer, data analysis, data visualization, data mining, and data inventory using software applications (e.g., Windows Explorer, Excel, Access, Esri ArcGIS, SQL)
- Knowledge/experience creating database schemas, domains, web applications
- Field work experience
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.
SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.
An employee in this Texas -based position can expect an hourly pay rate of $22.00-$29.00/hr. as an Assistant Data Acquisition Specialist; $25.00-$33.00/hr. as a Data Acquisition Specialist; or $28.00-$37.00/hr. as a Senior Data Acquisition Specialist. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.
EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to appl.
If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.