Drone Operator
About The Position
The Drone Operator pilots drones to capture aerial footage and imagery across Purgatory Resort, including parking areas, lift lines, trail traffic, snow coverage, grooming patterns, terrain conditions, and base-area flow. The role delivers organized, usable content to IT, Mountain Operations, Parking, Ski Patrol, and resort leadership to support guest experience, safety, and operational efficiency. The position is seasonal, with dates subject to change based on applicant availability and business needs. The operator maintains drones and related equipment and software, including batteries and sensors, and performs calibrations, firmware updates, and troubleshooting. The role also maintains detailed flight logs and ensures compliance with FAA Part 107 requirements. Work is outdoors in cold, snowy, windy, high-elevation conditions, with early mornings, peak days, holidays, and occasional night flights. The role includes a free season pass for the employee and dependents.
Requirements
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, or ability to obtain it within 60 days of hire.
- Comfort operating drones in winter mountain conditions.
- Basic photography or videography skills, or willingness to learn.
- Strong communication skills for coordinating flights across departments.
Nice To Haves
- Drone flight experience.
- Prior ski resort or mountain operations experience.
Responsibilities
- Pilot drones to capture footage of parking lot occupancy, lift lines, trail traffic, and base-area flow.
- Capture snow coverage, grooming patterns, and terrain conditions.
- Fly requested missions for Ski Patrol hazard documentation and incident monitoring.
- Support Lift Operations with tower and line inspections.
- Capture aerial imagery for construction, trail, and grooming projects.
- Deliver captured content to IT, Mountain Operations, Parking, Ski Patrol, and leadership as requested.
- Upload, label, and organize footage in the media library for internal and external use.
- Maintain drones, batteries, sensors, and software, including calibrations, firmware updates, and troubleshooting.
- Maintain detailed flight logs and ensure FAA Part 107 compliance.
Benefits
- Free season pass for the employee and their dependents.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Education Level
No Education Listed
