Primary Purpose: The Centre for Hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan is seeking a Research Technician (Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (UAV) specialist) to provide UAV operation support to research projects conducted in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
Personal Suitability: Must demonstrate the ability to exercise sound judgment to prioritize and ensure safety of personnel and equipment in harsh conditions and remote locations. Must display effective interpersonal relationships, reliability, integrity, alertness, physical fitness, initiative, and cooperativeness.
Conditions of Work: Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a variety of vehicles. Must possess valid First Aid and CPR certificate. Willingness to work in remote wilderness locations. Platform and sensor specific training will be provided. The position will be based at the Coldwater Laboratory in Canmore, Alberta. An initial training period will require extended trips from the home base to Saskatoon SK.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
- Organizing and conducting UAV field work for the Centre for Hydrology as the primary pilot at the Coldwater Laboratory;
- Keeping orderly and accessible records of field equipment, experimental field notes and records, experimental plans;
- Coordinate logistics, and manage and maintain inventory in conjunction with Saskatoon based Centre for Hydrology staff to meet scientific objectives
- Organizing, archiving, updating, processing and reviewing UAV data; Conducting guided scientific analysis in support of Centre research activities with an emphasis on mountain snow and glacier hydrology research;
- Contributing to the communications and visibility of the Centre, office, experiments, personnel and students;
- Training research staff and students as to proper experimental techniques, protocols and activities, and safety in UAV operations; and
- Other research duties specified by Professor Pomeroy.
Education: Completion of a post-secondary education in areas of environmental sciences or engineering, or geomatics; and completion of a UAV Ground school and a Transport Canada issued RPAS Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations (Advanced preferable)
Experience: (Required) Pilot in command of UAV operations, hydrometeorological/ground truthing data collection, planning and managing logistics of field data collection campaigns, and conducting winter time field operations in Canadian conditions. (Desired) Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, lidar data collection and processing, structure from motion processing of UAV imagery, geospatial data management, Permit management (e.g. application preparation and compliance for site permissions and/or SFOCs)
Skills:
- operate UAV’s as Pilot in Command in challenging (weather and terrain) environments
- organize fieldwork to meet scientific goals and objectives in a cost effective, quality assured manner.
- work independently with a minimum of supervision;
- supervise staff and students;
- maintain UAVs and UAV sensors,
- manage and process raw UAV data to generate scientific data products;
- snowshoe, ski, snowmachine, travel on glaciers, travel in avalanche zones safely and work outdoors in adverse conditions in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Department: Global Water Futures
Status: Term
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1
Salary: The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Not Applicable
Posted Date: 2/20/2025
Closing Date: 4/2/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: Canmore, Alberta
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.
