UAV Pilot & Community Awareness Presenter

Protect lives, empower communities, and pilot the future of beach safety as a UAV Pilot & Community Awareness Presenter!

Are you passionate about water safety, love technology, and want to make a real impact in your community? This newly created dual role of UAV Pilot & Community Awareness Presenter combines drone operations with community education to enhance public safety along Queensland’s coastline. You will play a vital role in the delivery of the SharkSmart Drone Program conducting drone surveillance flights over Queensland beaches, where your observations will directly influence beach safety decisions, help prevent marine incidents, and contribute to vital data collection for ongoing government research and coastal management. In addition, you’ll lead educational sessions with schools, local groups, and the general public, delivering life-saving messages and practical skills that help Queenslanders of all ages stay safe in and around the water.

Based in Bundaberg, your hours will be rostered in line with both drone patrol requirements and the delivery of community awareness programs. Flexibility, reliability, and the ability to work weekends and during school terms or holidays will be required (minimum of 15 hours per week).

Why SLSQ?

• Contribute to an organisation that saves lives!
• Membership to Fitness Passport
• Employee assistance program EAP for health and wellbeing

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct scheduled drone flights to monitor marine environments for shark activity
• Work closely with lifeguards to manage potential beach hazards
• Report flight data to support research and safety decisions
• Deliver engaging, hands-on water safety programs to schools, communities, and large groups
• Educate people of all ages on rip currents, CPR, and general beach safety
• Represent SLSQ in the community, promoting a positive safety culture

About You:

• Working with Children Blue Card (or ability to obtain)
• Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and Aviation Radio Operators Certificate (AROC) – training provided for suitable candidates
• Aviation Reference Number (ARN) from CASA
• SLSA Bronze Medallion & Cert II in Aquatic Public Safety (or willingness to obtain)
• Strong communication and public speaking skills
• Tech-savvy and comfortable troubleshooting basic equipment issues
• High attention to detail and professional presentation
• Ability to work independently and with diverse teams, including lifesavers and lifeguards
• Excellent time management, administration, and organisational skills
• Knowledge of, and experience in the application of Surf Lifesaving or similar community based activity

About SLSQ:

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is a vibrant organisation dedicated to saving lives and promoting beach safety across Queensland. Established in 1930, SLSQ supports over 36,000 members across 57 surf lifesaving clubs. With more than 600 employees, SLSQ delivers lifesaving services, community education, surf sports, and training programs that engage over 462,000 people.

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is committed to creating a fair, inclusive, and representative organisation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and people with disability. If you need assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the application process, please submit this form – https://form.jotform.com/252088501136856.