Aerial Media Specialist

The Aerial Media Specialist will oversee and manage all media including videos, drone images/videos, website information, topo images, Facebook, and bridge drone inspections.

Department: Highway

Pay Grade: 95, Non-Exempt

Starting hourly rate: $30.80

Minimum Experience: 

One (1) to Three (3) years of experience.  Must have at least 25 hours of drone flight time.  Experience with one or more of the following - Pix4D, Propeller, DroneDeploy, LAANC, Map Pilot Pro, Agisoft Metashape and DroneZone.

Minimum Education: 

High School diploma or equivalent.  Bachelor's degree in communications, Computer Science or Business Administration preferred. 

Certifications, Licenses: 

• Drone license - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107

• Must have dependable transportation. 

• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.

The Aerial Media Specialist will oversee and manage all media including videos, drone images/videos, website information, topo images, Facebook, and bridge drone inspections.

GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position.  However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily.  Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Serves as a liaison between the Highway Department and external parties on matters involving road/bridge projects and road conditions in Montgomery County.
• Serve as a spokesperson to the news media and works to build relationships with external media outlets.
• Engage the public through maintained social media presences in a timely manner.
• Use the public website as a communication channel and uses best Public Affairs knowledge to identify and pursue new and innovative ways to provide important information to the public.
• Produce creative and professional quality video/photo stories in a timely manner.
• Applies a working knowledge of visual arts work and public affairs, including internal and external information, social media, and community relations.
• Participates in the coordination of social media campaigns and strategies for driving engagement and building brand awareness.
• Collect outdoor data crucial for the Highway Department.
• Organize and present detailed data for each project including maps, notes, and digital videos/images.
• Operate and look after essential equipment like tablet computers, drone, measuring tools, and Personal Protective Equipment.
• Operate drones to capture aerial footage for various purposes
• Ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations and any other applicable laws or regulations
• Conduct pre-flight inspections and maintenance checks on drones to ensure proper functioning
• Safely navigate drones in different environments and weather conditions
• Capture high-quality footage and images using drone-mounted cameras
• Edit and process captured footage to meet project requirements
• Collaborate with team members to plan and execute drone operations effectively
• Maintain accurate records of flight logs, maintenance activities, and any incidents or accidents

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no fiscal responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under supervision of the Department Director. This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of drone technology, mechanics, and operation

• Familiarity with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) related to drone operation

• Proficiency in English, both written and verbal communication skills

• Experience in aerial photography, or GIS mapping is preferred

• Deep understanding of digital marketing technologies and deployment. 

• Proven experience delivering effective and innovative digital campaigns. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills

• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and deadlines

• Ability to work professionally with sensitive, proprietary data and information while maintaining confidentiality. 

• Flexibility and eagerness to identify, learn, and use new and changing technologies 

• Must be able to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously within inflexible time frames. Ability to adapt to frequent priority changes. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed indoors and outdoors, requiring mobility and physical activity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES:

• This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of lifting/moving or force and occasional lift, move or drag 50 pounds or more while performing essential functions of the job.

• Work regularly requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, crawl or kneel for a prolonged period of time as well as the ability to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and speak and hear. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. 

• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others in English.

• Ability to read and write English and interpret documents such as safety rules, material safety data sheets, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.

• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.

• Work requires operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surrounding and activities.  This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
• Work has exposure to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions including inclement weather, heavy traffic conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and work near mechanical parts.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy setting indoors in a mechanical garage but may also be outdoors. 
• Work requires wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities. 

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and is not a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may also be assigned job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. 

Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1966 (Section 1981) and 1964 (Title VI, VII,) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Equal Pay Act (EPA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).