Part-Time Drone Pilot Instructor

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Teach Drone & Aviation Fundamentals

- Introduce students to drones, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and aviation.

- Teach basic drone components, controls, batteries, maintenance, and pre-flight procedures.

- Introduce students to safe and responsible drone operations.

- Teach weather, airspace, flight restrictions, and emergency procedures.

2. Prepare Students for the FAA Part 107 Exam

Develop instruction and practice activities covering FAA Part 107 knowledge areas, including:

- FAA rules and regulations

- Airspace classification and operating requirements

- Weather and its effects on drone operations

- Aircraft performance and loading

- Emergency procedures

- Crew resource management

- Radio communication procedures

- Airport operations

- Maintenance and pre-flight inspections

- Night operations

- Aeronautical decision-making and judgment

3. Provide Hands-On Flight Training

- Demonstrate safe drone flight techniques.

- Supervise student flight activities.

- Teach takeoff, landing, hovering, maneuvering, and mission planning.

- Provide opportunities for students to practice photography, mapping, inspection, and other appropriate applications.

- Establish and enforce safe flight procedures for all student activities.

4. Connect Learning to Careers

Help students understand how drone technology is being used in the workplace.

Potential career applications include:

- Forestry and environmental conservation

- Construction

- Agriculture

- Surveying and mapping

- Real estate

- Photography and videography

- Infrastructure inspection

- Public safety

- Engineering

- Environmental science

- Technology and entrepreneurship

5. Develop Student Career Skills

Incorporate workforce-development skills into the program, including:

- Professional communication

- Teamwork

- Problem-solving

- Time management

- Project planning

- Workplace safety

- Professionalism

- Résumé development

- Career exploration

- Presentation skills

6. Support Student Certification Goals

Track student progress toward the FAA knowledge examination and help students understand the certification process.

The FAA process includes obtaining an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), scheduling and passing the initial aeronautical knowledge test, completing the FAA application through IACRA, and completing the required security vetting/application process.

Qualifications

Required

- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

- Demonstrated experience safely operating drones/UAS

- Ability to work effectively with high school students

- Strong communication and classroom-management skills

- Ability to explain technical information in an age-appropriate way

- Commitment to aviation and student safety

Preferred

- Experience teaching, coaching, mentoring, or training youth

- Experience with drone photography, mapping, surveying, GIS, inspection, forestry, construction, or another UAS application

- Experience preparing students for FAA Part 107 testing

- Knowledge of FAA airspace and LAANC procedures

- Experience developing hands-on STEM or career-and-technical education activities

Schedule

10–12 hours per week for 36 weeks per year

The schedule may include:

- Classroom instruction

- Hands-on flight sessions

- Student project development

- Individual student support

- FAA exam preparation

- Career exploration activities

- Program planning and documentation

Some outdoor instruction may require flexibility based on weather, daylight, and safe flying conditions .

Student Outcomes

By the end of the program, students should have:

KNOWLEDGE
A strong understanding of drone operations, safety, aviation, and FAA requirements.

SKILLS
Hands-on experience operating drones and completing drone-related projects.

CAREER AWARENESS
An understanding of how drone technology is used across multiple industries.

WORKFORCE SKILLS
Experience with teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and professional conduct.

CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
Preparation to pursue the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for eligible students.

Important: The program prepares students for the FAA certification process; the FAA establishes the eligibility and certification requirements. Students must meet FAA requirements and successfully complete the required process to receive a Remote Pilot Certificate.

Position Mission

Teach. Train. Fly. Prepare students for the future.

The Drone Pilot Instructor will help high school students turn an emerging technology into real-world skills, career exploration, and a pathway toward professional drone operations.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.
Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).