Position Overview: We are seeking a trustworthy, responsible, and passionate Indigenous individual to join our team as a Research Technician. In this role, you will receive training to operate drones (Advanced UAV Pilot License), measure smoke emissions with the Black Kite Smoke Monitoring module and contribute to multidisciplinary research efforts. Your work will provide empirical data to support and promote Indigenous Fire Stewardship and cultural burning practices.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate drones to collect air-quality data during cultural burns and prescribed using the Black Kite Smoke Monitoring System.
- Advanced UAV Pilot License training and Black Kite system training will be provided.
- This includes building flight plans and registering field visits before each flight.
- Protocols and guidance will be provided on entering these data by the lead research technician and project PI.
- Maintain accurate records of data collection (uploading data immediately after flights) and field observations.
- Notifying the team at Queen’s University (Dr. McLagan and the FEWA Lab) on any issues relating to the performance of the Black Kite-UAV System
- This includes requests for spare parts/maintenance
- Annual shipping of the Black Kite sensor system to the Project Partners at the University of Alberta for routine maintenance and sensor calibrations.
- Contribution to project publication/dissemination writing.
- The candidates own knowledge and input is invaluable to the project’s success.
- Attendance of any project related events that occur during the Black Kite project timeline is highly beneficial where possible.
- Collaborate with researchers to integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Western scientific approaches in fire management studies.
- Work closely with First Nations research partners from the Prince Albert Grand Council including attending Indigenous Fire Camps in the Saskatchewan River Delta.
- Participate in community engagement activities to share findings and promote cultural burning practices through various forms of knowledge dissemination.
Please see link for full description: Black Kite Drone Operations Technician – Black Kite Project – Ktunaxa Nation
