Sets up and operates drones with attachments such as cameras, radar, sensors, sampling equipment, or payloads, in order to take photographs or video, map or survey, take samples, capture other types of information, deliver a substance or item, conduct surveillance, or perform some other type of task.

Selects and attaches equipment to drone, launches and flies drone, watches progress, adjusts controls, lands drone, retrieves and may process resulting information.

• Works predominantly outdoors and sometimes indoors.
• Likely to work in all weather conditions when outdoors. May work in adequately heated and ventilated spaces if indoors

• Physical demand is frequently light, but occasionally heavy when moving the drone and associated equipment.
• Standing and walking about the location is frequent.
• Sitting may be required when setting up the drone and equipment or retrieving or processing resulting information.
• Stretching and reaching across is likely to be occasional when setting up the drone and equipment.
• Bending, squatting, crouching, and kneeling may be required when organising and adjusting the drone and equipment.
• Twisting of the body or neck is likely on an occasional basis. Looking up and down is likely to be frequent.
• Contact with skin irritants or water is unlikely, except if spraying or sampling.
• Lifting, carrying, and holding is likely to occur on a frequent basis when setting up and operating the drone.
• Repetitive movements are unlikely to be necessary.
• Driving of vehicles is likely to travel between worksite locations.
• Use of hand-held and power tools and equipment will include a range of drones, their controllers, and associated attachments.
• Mental skills necessary include hand-eye coordination, spatial, decision-making, problem-solving, technical, and communication. Some roles will require relevant ICT skills.

Drone Operators must have an understanding of and operate in compliance with NZ Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules relating to drones. Some roles will require an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate issued by the CAA. A Class 1 Driver Licence is likely to be necessary. Roles involving spraying of chemicals are likely to require spray/chemical handling certification.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited