Techno-geek dream job up for grabs in Central Okanagan

KELOWNA – For some people, mainly techno-geeks, it would be a dream job — driving around the Central Okanagan in a computer-equipped car or truck tricked out with commercial grade still and video cameras plus an array of eye-safe lasers.

It doesn’t say Google on it, but the job-hunting website Adecco is advertising for “streetview project drivers”  who are bondable with a spotlessly clean driving record.

The bloom comes off the rose a bit when it comes to the job description and remuneration.

Drivers will work a 40-hour week with no overtime and must be able to physically climb onto the roof of the assigned vehicle to cover and uncover camera lenses. Ability to deal with routine automobile maintenance is also a plus.

The high-resolution cameras on board the vehicles produce gobs of data which must be sent to clients via mail, email or cellphone.

Would-be streetviewers must be thoroughly familiar with local roads and something called “traffic trends” while making themselves available on a moments notice for extended periods of time.

The ad suggests successful applicants must not have any “family responsibilities” to distract them during those time periods for the duration of the six-month project.

It also hints at some of the boredom the job entails. The driver will specifically target commercial districts and historic sites and may be asked to drive over the same area repeatedly if poor weather or lighting conditions interfere with photography.

For all that the job demands, the company will pay the princely sum of $15.50 an hour.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infotelnews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

John McDonald

John McDonald

John began life as a journalist through the Other Press, the independent student newspaper for Douglas College in New Westminster. The fluid nature of student journalism meant he was soon running the place, learning on the fly how to publish a newspaper.

It wasn’t until he moved to Kelowna he broke into the mainstream media, working for Okanagan Sunday, then the Kelowna Daily Courier and Okanagan Saturday doing news graphics and page layout. He carried on with the Kelowna Capital News, covering health and education while also working on special projects, including the design and launch of a mass market daily newspaper. After 12 years there, John rejoined the Kelowna Daily Courier as editor of the Westside Weekly, directing news coverage as the Westside became West Kelowna.

But digital media beckoned and John joined Kelowna.com as assistant editor and reporter, riding the start-up as it at first soared then went down in flames. Now John is turning dirt as city hall reporter for iNFOnews.ca where he brings his long experience to bear on the civic issues of the day.

If you have a story you think people should know about, email John at jmcdonald@infonews.ca