Summary

The purpose of the UAV Operator is to provide airborne support to police operations and public safety. In addition, increase officer safety in a safe, responsible, and transparent manner to preserve the peace, reduce response times and increase the quality of life for all citizens of Tuscaloosa. To assist personnel in planning the deployment of resources for the prevention and suppression of criminal activities for aiding in the investigative process, and for increasing the number of apprehensions and clearance of cases.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Performs collection, collation, research, and analysis of crime information using various databases, software programs, files, reports, and networks to evaluate and interpret crime series, patterns, and trends, to conduct background research on suspects, to determine criminal associations and affiliations, and to develop suspect profiles.

View and analyze public safety calls, crime and fire scene videos and/or photographs, and, if necessary, visit crime and fire scene; review FBI intelligence reports; assist investigating officer as needed.

Cooperates with federal, state, and other local law enforcement/investigating agencies and its officers or representatives when their activities are related to on-going investigations within city jurisdiction.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations and new standards in crime intelligence technology; reads professional literature and may maintain professional affiliations.

Maintain information sources and possess the ability to know how to obtain needed information; request telephone and other records needed for investigations; maintain records and files.

Assists with special projects; performs clerical/office skills such as entering and retrieving data from computer, answering telephone, preparing correspondence, sending and receiving facsimiles, and making copies.

Collaborate with other forensic analysts, law enforcement officers, and legal experts to identify and recommend methods and procedures for recovery, preservation, analysis and presentation of digital evidence.

Evaluate and become proficient with new forensic or analytic tools and methods.

Stay abreast of trends in computer forensics, cyber security, forensic law, mobile devices, social media tools, mobile applications, and encryption technologies.

Prepare clear and comprehensive notes and reports; testify to findings in judicial proceedings.

Monitor and strategically implement advanced camera systems for the purpose of providing real time intelligence to law enforcement and fire officers in the field.

Conduct online, social media, and open source intelligence (OSINT) collection, analysis, and synthesis to support law enforcement officers.

Operate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), drones, etc.

Operate drones to assist in public safety operations, including but not limited to search and rescue, traffic monitoring, and crime scene management.

Respond to public safety calls for service through the use of drones as part of the department’s DFR program.

Ensure all drone operations are conducted in compliance with FAA regulations, department policies, and applicable laws.

Record and maintain logs of UAS flights and activities for department records and legal compliance.

Provide drone photography and videography services to assist non-public safety departments within the City of Tuscaloosa

Provide information technology (IT) support for assigned department.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public safety or related filed preferred; high school diploma or GED required. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification preferred; Part 107 obtained within six (6) months required. Must have a comprehensive understanding of FAA regulations and other relevant legal requirements pertaining to UAS operations. Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required. Must have strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm in high-stress situation to relay intel to public safety dispatch and law enforcement. This job classification is considered to be safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

DATA UTILIZATION: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

HUMAN INTERACTION: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTITLIZATION: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

MATHEMATICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

FUNCTIONAL REASONING: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

SITUATIONAL REASONING: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

PHYSICAL ABILITY: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

The City of Tuscaloosa offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time permanent employees that includes retirement, vacation and illness leave, paid holidays, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance, and other supplemental insurances and deferred retirement saving plans.

For a more detailed overview of our benefits package, please visit the Employee Benefits Summary within our website or contact the Human Resource Department at (205) 248-5230.

City of Tuscaloosa

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UAS Operator