Drone and GIS Community Education Specialist - Davis, CA,

Position Summary

This Drone and GIS Community Education Specialist 3 will serve a dual role that combines technical and regulatory expertise in drone operations with a strong commitment to education and workforce development. The position is structured as a 75 % full‑time equivalent (FTE) dedicated to educational programming, training, and workforce development, and a 25 % FTE dedicated to providing GIS support for applied projects, such as environmental monitoring, agriculture mapping, and other academic applications.

Ideal candidates are passionate about advancing drone and Ag Tech applications while building capacity in the next generation of drone operators, technicians, and data analysts. Responsibilities include developing and delivering curriculum through workshops focused on drone regulations and applications, engaging with students and workforce trainees, and applying drone technologies to real‑world service projects that support organizational goals.

Davis, CA. Full‑time. The position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in California.

• 30 % Plan, coordinate, and deliver educational materials through workshops, classroom instruction, hands‑on demonstrations, and outreach activities to K‑12 schools, community colleges, universities, and workforce training centers. These efforts require travel within Northern California and logistical coordination of computer applications for photogrammetric processing and GIS.
• 20 % Provide GIS support for applied projects such as environmental monitoring, agriculture mapping, and other academic applications, aligning with the educational component of the position.
• 15 % Support a workforce development program by developing and testing a drone education curriculum, focusing on Part 107 remote pilot training, flight operations, and applications in agriculture and natural resources. Develop and implement new programs and curriculum, adjusting existing resources in a continuing education effort.
• 10 % Adapt educational curriculum to meet UC ANR’s digital accessibility requirements, while aligning education and operations with industry standards, FAA Part 107 requirements, and emerging technologies.
• 10 % Collaborate with university affiliates, workforce development staff, and community partners to integrate drone applications into career pathways, adjusting educational materials based on feedback from clientele and partners. Stay current on best practices in drone education and workforce development, including experiential learning models and potential simulation technologies.
• 10 % Coordinate collection of surveys and other evaluation tools, analyze data, and contribute to program evaluation and reporting as required.
• 5 % Assist with project deliverables within timelines and scopes of work.

• Associate degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience with drone applications, including data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Strong communication and teaching skills, with experience delivering instruction, training, or technical workshops.
• Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related geospatial technologies.
• Valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or ability to obtain within the first month of hire.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on multidisciplinary teams.
• Background in curriculum design, instructional technology, or workforce training program development.
• Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, AGOL, and/or QGIS), including vector/raster processing, geostatistics, and spatial analysis techniques.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, clients, and project partners to deliver high‑quality geospatial products and reports.
• Provide technical support in project planning, data management, and integration of drone‑derived data into decision‑making processes.
• Proficiency in photogrammetric processing (Pix4D Mapper, Drone2
  
  Map, Site Scan, Agisoft Metashape, etc.).
• Commitment to equity, access, and workforce development, with the ability to engage any…