A Drone Pilot operates and maintains a drone. They perform a variety of duties with drones including flying them, aerial photography, and aerial videography. May work with government organizations, real estate professionals, surveyors, environmental scientists, and media production companies.
Workforce Development•Instructional Job Summary The instructor will develop and deliver training in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for workforce development programs, boot camps, and continuing education formats. Instructional delivery may include in-person, hybrid, and online modalities. The instructor will prepare students for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification exam , including airspace regulations, weather, safety procedures, flight operations, and legal compliance. In addition, the instructor will integrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concepts with drone operations, preparing students to perform drone-based data collection, mapping, photogrammetry, and spatial analysis for industry applications such as infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, surveying, and public safety. The instructor will design curriculum aligned with industry certifications and employer needs, support student skill development, and help facilitate pathways to employment as commercial drone pilots and GIS technicians. Qualifications•Education Bachelor's degree in aviation, geospatial science, engineering, environmental science, or related field. Relevant industry certifications may substitute for degree requirements. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is required. Qualifications•Experience Minimum of one (1) year of teaching or training experience preferred. Professional experience operating drones for commercial, government, or research applications. Experience with GIS platforms (e.g., Arc
GIS, QGIS
) and drone mapping software (e.g., DroneDeploy, Pix4D) preferred. Qualifications•Skills Demonstrated knowledge of: FAA regulations (Part 107) and drone safety protocols Drone flight operations, mission planning, and maintenance GIS data collection, mapping, and spatial analysis Photogrammetry and aerial data processing Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills Ability to integrate instructional technology into teaching Experience developing curriculum and training materials Ability to adapt instruction for diverse learners As applicable, certification in specialized UAS software or platforms is preferred or must be obtained prior to the first class. Work Hours Class schedules may include day, evening, or weekend hours .
