Associate Data Acquisition Coordinator

About the opportunity

Become a leader of SWCA’s innovative Data Acquisition Program as we expand our business lines. You will work with a technically and geographically diverse team supporting SWCA’s Data Acquisition Program in all aspects of critical remote sensing data, analytics, geospatial integration, and unmanned aviation compliance/administration.

SWCA is looking for a self-motivated “doer/seller" to join our small team as a Associate Data Acquisition Coordinator/ Assistant Chief Pilot to sustain and support the continued growth of the Data Acquisition service line. We are looking for a candidate who exemplifies the company’s core values of “Always Learning” and “Never Settle” while demonstrating the ability to remain calm and decisive in the fast-paced, high pressure Data Acquisition work environment.  The ideal applicant must be flexible and possess the ability to pivot on short notice to meet rapidly evolving project requirements.

This is a full time, with benefits, hourly position that will be located in our Denver, Colorado office. This position has the flexibility for a hybrid schedule.

What you will accomplish

As an Associate Data Acquisition Coordinator, you will work directly with the DA Program Manager to assist in data management, analytics, and post-flight processing. Quick turnaround for incoming project data is paramount, requiring an advanced, end-to-end knowledge of our workflows, processes, and technologies.  The ideal candidate will also be good at time management and adept at multitasking while continuously reassessing and adjusting priorities to align with changing requirements.

Duties:

• Admin Access to various software (SWC.ai, Alteia, AlarisPro, Pix4D, etc.): creating and maintaining individual user accounts and providing new user training sessions
  • Serve as initial contact for technical questions
• Running live SWC.ai project demonstrations to showcase the superior technology solutions that SWCA offers
• Data analysis across platforms with timely delivery to clients
• Managing and organizing large quantities of data across platforms, servers, and hardware devices
• Develop custom data acquisition technology packages to expand the offerings of SWCA project managers
  • Develop budgets and quotes that match project resources
• Move workflow from planning to execution by developing a risk matrix and handling logistics and crew resource management compliance
• Promote a culture of safety by implementing risk-based decision support mechanisms for all Data Acquisition deployments through the Pre-Mission Briefing/Risk Matix worksheet (PMB)
• Correctly applying unit billing codes to maintain project billing integrity
• Internal business development to educate PMs on the evolving Data Acquisition Tool Kit
• External business development as assigned
• Research and development to utilize new technology and build custom workflows
• Work with vendors to develop workable technology solutions
• Collaborate with other technology teams and across SWCA science disciplines to execute complex projects (#OneSWCA)
• Attend trainings and conferences to represent SWCA as an industry leader in the use of technology for Data Acquisition
• Change industry standards by merging SWCA’s sterling reputation for multidisciplinary scientific knowledge with cutting edge technologies

As the Assistant Chief Pilot, you will serve as leader, assisting the DA Program Manager with managing SWCA’s Unmanned Aviation Program. This role will require a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification and knowledge of FAA policies and procedures.

Duties:

• Ensure flights are within allowable airspace and procure FAA waivers if necessary
• Act as Pilot Training Evaluator by developing and implementing training programs to go along with each sUAS and mission type
• Certify each SWCA UAS Pilot to a specific Flight Training Level based on the SWCA “Level System”
• Ensure initial qualification and ongoing currency checks for all SWCA sUAS pilots
• Process flight operation logs and implement any preventative or corrective actions for accidents, incidents, or mishaps
• Serve as the primary contact to all SWCA Program Managers and clients to provide operational planning consultation and guidance regarding all Data Acquisition deployment concerns
• Maintain training and flight records for flight crews
• Maintain records for each sUAS including maintenance, insurance, and FAA registration
• Issue directives and notices to the flight crews as required
• Distribute mishap, incident, and other occurrence reports along with “lessons learned”
• Supervise sUAS crews during training and operation as necessary
• Act as Pilot in Command (PIC) on missions while delegating duties to other crew members and visual observers
• Administer evaluations
• Facilitate CRM trainings
• Comply and be knowledgeable of all FAA, state, and local regulations and standards pertaining to UAS operations as well as SWCA directives and procedures
• Ensure safety for all crew members and equipment by providing pre-mission planning and ensuring each crew member feels comfortable with “stop work authority”

The  Associate Data Acquisition Coordinator/ Assistant Chief Pilot role will require research and creativity as we look for new ways to deploy technology to improve data capture and understanding. The ideal candidate will have experience with the technologies that exist in our toolkit and across the market. They will expand as a leader/learner and help to grow the burgeoning field of data capture in support of local, national, and global sustainability.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required:

• High level of organization
• Remote sensing
• Experience with photogrammetry and orthophotography
• Planet Labs SkySat Tasking System
  • Ability to task, process, download, and deliver satellite imagery based on project requirements
• Knowledge of current work that SWCA does across NR, CR, and technology
• Experience acquiring data utilizing multiple models of sUAS and earth monitoring systems
• Data analysis and processing
  • ai
  • Alteia
  • Pix4D

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.

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.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.  In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Broomfield/Denver, CO - based position can expect an hourly rate of $33.08/hr.- $43.05/hr.  Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.