Drone Operations Manager Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 881673 

Agency: Military Affairs

Working Title: UAS Pilot - 62000496

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 62000496 

Salary:  Up To $66000 

Posting Closing Date: 08/31/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA STATE GUARD

*** OPEN COMPETITIVE***

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. on closing date

VACANCY # 62000496

WORK LOCATION: Tallahassee, Florida

ABOUT THE FLORIDA STATE GUARD (FSG)

The Florida State Guard serves Florida as a cornerstone of statewide crisis and emergency response. The mission of the Florida State Guard is to protect and preserve the life and property of the people of Florida from all threats to public safety through rapid deployment of ground, maritime, and air capabilities in partnership with state and local agencies. The Florida State Guard is a Division of the Florida Department of Military Affairs.

OUR BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental, Vision and Supplemental Insurance     
• Retirement Benefits   
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Opportunities for Career Advancement
• Tuition Waiver for Public College Courses
• Training Opportunities
• For benefit information available to State of Florida employees, go to http://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. New employees of the Florida State Guard will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening.
2. New employees of the Florida State Guard are required to participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program. 
3. The Florida State Guard is paid on a monthly basis.
4. As a CANDIDATE, you may be required to provide documentation (i.e., High School Diploma or Equivalency, College Transcripts, ETC.) to verify meeting these Minimum Qualifications.

*NOTE*

To be considered for this position, application must be fully completed, your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process and clearly stated within the employment history.   

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification or equivalent certification.
• High school diploma or equivalent; a degree or certification in a related field (e.g., robotics, aviation) is a plus.
• Proven experience flying Group 1-3 UAS (State public safety agency or emergency management agency experience a plus)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Drone Operations Technician is responsible for the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of drone systems for various applications, including aerial surveying, mapping, inspections, and deliveries. This role requires technical expertise, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and compliance with regulations.

1. Drone Operations:
   • Execute flight operations with Group 1 - 3 UAS supporting public safety and emergency management missions in support of state, county, and local agencies. 
   • Demonstrated experience flying Group 1-3 UAS systems that involve Line of Sight and Beyond Line-of-Sight operations.
   • Conduct pre-flight and post-flight checks to ensure drones are in optimal condition.
   • Plan and execute safe UAS operations using a variety of flight software.

1. Maintenance & Repairs:
   • Perform routine maintenance, upgrades and troubleshooting on drones, and related equipment and software systems.
   • Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and software issues.
   • Maintain accurate records of flight hours, maintenance schedules, and repairs.

1. Regulatory Compliance:
   • Ensure adherence to all local, state, national, and agency specific aviation regulations (e.g., FAA Part 107 in the U.S.).
   • Obtain and maintain required certifications, such as FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification (in the U.S.) and FAA Medical Class II.
   • Understand and create curriculums for training, currency, and proficiency for both fixed wing and multirotor unmanned aircraft systems under both FAA Part 107 and Public Use statutes.

1. Data Collection & Analysis:
   • Capture and process data from drone flights, including photos, videos, and sensor data.
   • Use specialized software to analyze and report findings.
   • Collaborate with other departments or teams to deliver actionable insights from collected data.

1. Safety & Risk Management:
   • Identify and mitigate potential hazards during drone operations.
   • Conduct site assessments to ensure safe flight conditions.
   • Develop and implement emergency procedures for various scenarios.
   • Report any incidents or near-misses, ensuring corrective actions are taken.

1. Team Collaboration & Training:
   • Collaborate with Team members, other departments and agencies to define mission goals and requirements.
   • Provide training and support to Fulltime Staff, State Agencies, and other departments/agencies on drone operation and flight software usage.
   • Participate in team meetings to discuss project updates and operational improvements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in UAS flight planning, day and night flight navigation, remote and payload sensor, GIS imaging and mapping software, and data analytics.
• Experience with specific drone platforms (e.g., Skydio, Ascent Aero, Event38, or custom-built systems).
• Proficiency in drone software, mapping tools, and data analysis applications.
• Familiarity with GIS and photogrammetry software (e.g., Skydio, Pix4D, DroneDeploy, or ESRI based software).
• Strong Understanding of Networking/IP Configurations
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and software components of drones.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols and aviation regulations.
• Knowledge of sensor integration and payload management.
• Ability to work in diverse environments and adapt to changing conditions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Ability to assist with non-routine and unforeseen administrative tasks as a result of incidents, activations, or direction of leadership
• Ability to be resourceful, act independently, and take action in situations that lack clear direction
• Ability to travel to various locations for project execution
• Ability to work in challenging environmental conditions

SPECIAL REMINDERS:

The State of Florida and The Florida State Guard participate in the E-Verify program. Federal law requires that all employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of any person hired to work in the United States.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

All members of the Florida Retirement System are required to contribute 3% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

The Florida State Guard values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.