GIS/Remote Sensing Specialist III

The Remote Sensing Specialist III will operate uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS), process high-resolution imagery, develop geospatial products, conduct habitat and change-detection analyses, and support the publication of scientific datasets and reports. The role requires independent technical judgment, strong field capability, and the ability to work closely with scientists and research partners in office, laboratory, and remote field settings throughout the southeastern United States.
Compensation & Benefits:
Starting Salary Range for Remote Sensing Specialist III: $65,000 – $68,000
Benefits That Set Us Apart
When considering your next opportunity, compensation is only part of the picture. We offer a benefits package designed to invest in your future and support your life outside of work.
Highlights include:
•Up to a 6% 401(k) company match to help you build long-term financial security
•Paid time off as part of our comprehensive benefits package, so you have the flexibility to rest, recharge, and enjoy what matters most
•Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus prescription drug coverage
•Basic life and AD&D insurance, with supplemental life options
•Short-term and long-term disability coverage
•Paid holidays
•Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
•Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
•Professional development, training, and certification support
•Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, and identity theft protection
Because taking care of our employees isn’t just a promise, it’s part of who we are.
Benefits are subject to change and eligibility requirements apply.
Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities:
Includes the following:
•Obtain and maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot certification and Department of the Interior (DOI) small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) pilot authorization or certification requirements.
•Plan and execute drone flight missions in compliance with FAA regulations, aviation policy, USGS requirements, approved flight procedures, and field safety protocols.
•Support drone-based fieldwork in coastal wetlands, marshes, barrier islands, forested wetlands, and other remote field locations throughout the southeastern United States.
•Operate and support multiple NDAA-compliant drone platforms, sensors, and associated Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment.
•Develop, document, and improve standard operating procedures and workflows for flight planning, field data collection, imagery processing, quality control, analysis, and data management.
•Develop and execute maintenance schedules for drone platforms, sensors, GNSS receivers, and related equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidance and established protocols.
•Calibrate, update, inspect, and maintain drone, sensor, and GNSS equipment to support safe and reliable field operations.
•Process drone imagery using Agisoft Metashape, Pix4D, or comparable photogrammetry software to create high-resolution orthomosaics, dense point clouds, digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), and digital elevation models (DEMs).
•Conduct spatial analyses using drone imagery and geospatial datasets, including pixel-based and object-based habitat classification, classification accuracy assessments, spectral-index analysis, vegetation vigor assessment, biomass assessment, and multitemporal change detection.
•Apply remote sensing theory, including spectral reflectance characteristics, spectral indices, land-use and land-cover classification methods, and accuracy-assessment techniques.
•Perform GIS and spatial analysis tasks, including site optimization, buffering, spatial queries, spatial joins, zonal statistics, elevation analysis, and map production.
•Assist with the design, development, maintenance, and quality control of GIS geodatabases supporting restoration monitoring, ecological assessment, and research projects.
•Maintain proficiency with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Python, Google Earth Engine, Global Mapper Pro, RStudio, Trimble Access and Business Center, Emlid Studio, and other Government-approved tools.
•Manage, organize, document, publish, and share geospatial datasets in accordance with Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), and project-specific standards.
•Develop complete FGDC-compliant metadata and supporting documentation for spatial datasets, imagery products, maps, analyses, and data releases.
•Review scientific literature relevant to remote sensing, sUAS operations, coastal ecology, wetland habitats, and assigned research topics.
•Collaborate with scientists, project teams, and research partners to discuss project status, technical findings, data needs, and research results.
•Support the development of reports, scientific manuscripts, data releases, maps, figures, tables, and other technical products in accordance with Fundamental Science Practices and publication procedures.
•Participate safely in field activities involving boats, airboats, motor vehicles, GNSS equipment, drones, and other field equipment under changing weather and environmental conditions.
•Prepare and submit monthly activity reports, biweekly status reports, meeting minutes, progress updates, equipment maintenance logs, and other required deliverables.
•Maintain required training, submit timely travel documentation, and support approved field travel as needed.
•Safeguard Government-furnished equipment, software, data, facilities, and other property.
•Comply with applicable federal information-security, privacy, property-protection, safety, and facility-security requirements.
•Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
•Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No supervisory/management authority
Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: (Basic Qualifications)
•Bachelor’s degree in remote sensing, geography, geomatics, GIS, environmental science, natural resources, ecology, or a closely related field required.
•USAccess
•Four to six years of relevant professional experience in drone-based remote sensing, geospatial analysis, GIS, photogrammetry, or a related technical field required.
•FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification required or the ability to obtain and maintain certification upon hire.
•Ability to obtain and maintain DOI sUAS pilot authorization, required training, and other credentials necessary for Government-approved drone operations.
•Demonstrated experience operating drones and supporting field data collection using sUAS platforms, sensors, and GNSS equipment required.
•Demonstrated experience processing drone imagery into orthomosaics, DSMs, DTMs, DEMs, dense point clouds, and related photogrammetric products required.
•Proficiency using ArcGIS Pro and GIS tools for spatial analysis, data management, map production, and geodatabase development required.
•Knowledge of remote sensing principles, including spectral reflectance, spectral indices, image classification, object-based analysis, pixel-based analysis, and classification accuracy assessment required.
•Knowledge of lidar data, geospatial datums, coordinate systems, GNSS data collection, and elevation data processing required.
•Experience managing geospatial datasets, geodatabases, metadata, and spatial data products required.
•Knowledge of FGDC metadata standards and geospatial data documentation requirements required.
•Must be a US Citizen.
•Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; may occasionally require standing or moving about the office for extended periods.
•Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Preferred Qualifications:

•Experience using Python, Google Earth Engine, Global Mapper Pro, R, or similar geospatial analysis and automation tools preferred.
•Experience developing and implementing workflows or standard operating procedures for drone flights, imagery collection, imagery processing, and geospatial analysis preferred.
•Experience conducting habitat classification, vegetation assessment, biomass analysis, elevation analysis, change detection, or comparable imagery-based ecological analyses preferred.
Work Environment:
Work is performed primarily in a climate-controlled environment.
Company Information:
Behind every government mission stands skilled, mission-driven talent: people whose expertise and dedication turn complex challenges into successful outcomes. Cherokee Nation Businesses Corp - CFED, part of Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, is that team. We modernize aging systems, deliver care where it’s needed most, and keep missions supplied, staffed, and moving across defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. For more than 60 federal clients, we take on the work others won’t, and deliver where it counts. If that’s the kind of work you’re looking for, you’ve found your team. Learn more at cherokee-federal.com.
#CherokeeFederal
Cherokee Federal is a military friendly employer. Veterans and active military transitioning to civilian status are encouraged to apply.
Legal Disclaimer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Many of our job openings require access to government buildings or military installations. Candidates must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
Cherokee Federal is a federal contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). As required by VEVRAA, we take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans. Protected veterans are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Cherokee Federal takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities or those with sincerely held religious beliefs. To request an accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at [email hidden].
This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing. Cherokee Federal maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
This position may be contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation. The scope of the investigation will be commensurate with position requirements and applicable law.