Balloon Pilot – PT Flex, up to 40 hours/week, Late Feb-Late Oct

Principal Function: The Balloon Pilot is responsible for the flying and ground handling of the Conner Prairie tethered balloon following operational and safety procedures outlined by Aerophile S.A.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include, but are not limited to:

Flies balloon according to a set schedule.
Records and files all flight operations, phenomena, and regulatory information to pertinent agencies and individuals.
Coordinates and ensures that appropriate safety standards, inspections, certifications and compliance with regulatory agencies are performed.
Assists guests with loading and unloading procedures.
Maintains the highest level of safety standards.
Works non-traditional hours, nights and weekends.
Interacts with guests on daily basis to provide a safe, high-quality tethered balloon experience.
Works closely with Facilities staff for non-envelope and non-control-system maintenance concerns (winch, mooring point and electrical system maintenance problems).
Supervisory Responsibilities:  This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience: Must be a minimum of 18 years of age; enrolled in high school or college and/or graduated or obtained GED.  Previous balloon piloting experience desired.  Aerophile French Aviation Authority DLC-certified pilot desired (can be obtained/will train).

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.
The ability to work on-call as needed in the event of weather-related or other emergency-related scenarios related to balloon.
A passing grade certification of both written and practical exam (administered by Aerophile S.A.).
Schedule and Hours:

The standard hours for this position are Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00a – 5:00p.  Some staff may work select Monday’s for balloon maintenance as needed. Some staff may also work select evening hours from 6:00p – 10:00p and other select hours for special events/holidays as needed.  Training begins in late February/early March of 2025 at Conner Prairie on the grounds. The balloon season ends the last week of October 2025.  Must be able to attend staff training week(s). This schedule description is for general illustrative purposes and is NOT a guarantee of available work hours.

Compensation:

This is a 16-40 hours/week, seasonal/flex position that is eligible for approved overtime.  Benefits are not provided.  Pay is based on experience and starts at $15/hour.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees at Conner Prairie should demonstrate the following competencies:

Customer Service – Responds to requests for service and assistance; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations focusing on listening without interrupting and keeping ones emotions under control; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Maintains confidentiality and meets commitments; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
Diversity – Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
Ethics – Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization’s goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
Quality/Quantity – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to promote and improve quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity and works quickly.
Safety/Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Attendance/Punctuality/Dependability – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and events on time; Follows instructions; Responds to management’s direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternative plan.
Job-related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
Technical Skills – Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
Initiative – Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently will stand; walk; and lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  The employee occasionally will climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is exposed to working in outdoor weather extremes of cold, heat and prolonged u/v exposure. The employee will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, near fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), risk of electrical shock, and work with pressurized systems. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is may need to lift/move up to 100 pounds.  While performing these duties, employee will be operating and exposed to heights at or greater than 300 feet.

Conner Prairie is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, this position will be required to work beyond these hours and when open for special events.