---
title: 'Part-Time Drone Pilot Instructor at Lansing School District'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/part-time-drone-pilot-instructor-lansing-school-district-lansing-qd2pfm381wxc'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-10'
---

# Part-Time Drone Pilot Instructor at Lansing School District

- **Company:** Lansing School District
- **Location:** Lansing, MI
- **Compensation:** $20–$30/hr
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-11-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/lansingschools/2af7df67-7d77-4434-8586-8b51f83e9bfb

## Job description

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.

1. 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

1. 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.

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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).

## About Lansing School District

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Lansing School District is a public school system serving PreK–12 students in Lansing, Michigan, offering a wide range of magnet and specialty programs.
- **Entity Type**: Public School District (government/nonprofit)
- **Headquarters**: Lansing, Michigan, United States
- **Founded**: 1861
- **Superintendent**: Jessica Benavides
- **Leadership**: Board of Education; Human Resources Manager Erin Miracle

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Education Administration Programs (K-12 public schooling)
- **Target customers**: Students and families in the Lansing, MI area (B2C, public service)
- **Mission statement**: "To provide educational excellence in a safe and nurturing environment for all students" [lansingschools.net](https://www.lansingschools.net/)

## Products & Services
- **Traditional Schools**: Standard K-12 curriculum at 26 school buildings.
- **Magnet & Specialty Schools**: Programs including STEM, STEAM, Spanish Immersion/Global Studies, New Tech High, Chinese Immersion, Leadership, Law and Government, International Baccalaureate, Visual and Performing Arts, and Montessori.
- **Eastern Biotechnical Magnet Academy**: Biotechnology-focused IB program with Project Lead the Way electives.
- **Attwood New Tech**: Project-based learning with a STEM Pathway (K-12) and New Tech Pathway (4th–12th).
- **Online School (Lansing School District Virtual)**: Fully online K-12 option.

## Market Standing
- **Annual Budget**: $223,084,000 (2022–2023 expenditures) [nces.ed.gov](https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=2621150&Search=2)
- **Estimated Annual Revenue**: $177M (per LinkedIn data) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lansingschooldistrict)
- **Students**: 9,951 (2024–2025)
- **Teachers**: 583.86 FTE; total staff 1,848.66 FTE
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew +6.4% YoY (+51 employees); new school programs, renovated buildings, and new cell phone pouch policy for grades 5–12. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lansingschooldistrict) [lansingschools.net](https://www.lansingschools.net/)
- **Notable Partners**: Michigan State University (teacher recruitment events), Project Lead the Way

## Competitive Advantages
- **Diverse Educational Options**: More magnet and specialty schools than any other district in the greater Lansing area, giving families a wide choice.
- **Strong Community Ties**: Active partnerships with local universities and businesses; high community involvement in strategic planning.
- **Commitment to Equity**: Non-discrimination policy covering all protected classes; focus on culturally safe and nurturing environment.
- **Innovative Programs**: Biotechnology magnet, New Tech project-based learning, and Chinese immersion are unique differentiators.

## Strategic Focus
- **Graduation Goal**: 85% graduation rate by 2025.
- **Attendance Goal**: 90% attendance by 2025.
- **Cell Phone Policy**: Implementing secure pouch requirement for grades 5–12 to reduce distractions.
- **Facility Upgrades**: Opening renovated buildings and launching new school programs in the coming years.
- **Strategic Plan (2014+)** : Five-year plan focused on preparing students for global citizenship, with regular updates.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: Employees are part of a team dedicated to educational excellence and student success.
- **Career Opportunities**: Wide range of roles – teachers, specialized assistants, CTE educators, administrators, and support staff.
- **Benefits**: Full benefits for regular full-time employees (37.5 hrs/week); part-time eligible for some benefits; union-represented positions.
- **Work Environment**: Collaborative, high-performing, safe learning environment; emphasis on professional development.
- **Location**: Lansing, Michigan – midsize city with a lower cost of living; district is central to the community.
- **Culture**: Active social media presence celebrating staff and students; regular hiring events and job fairs.
- **Remote/Hybrid**: Primarily in-person instruction; some administrative roles may offer flexibility.

## Sources
1. [lansingschools.net](https://www.lansingschools.net/)
2. [jobs.lever.co/lansingschools](https://jobs.lever.co/lansingschools)
3. [lansingschools.net – Employee Handbook](https://www.lansingschools.net/downloads/district/employee_handbook.pdf)
4. [linkedin.com/company/lansingschooldistrict](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lansingschooldistrict)
5. [nces.ed.gov – District Detail](https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?ID2=2621150&Search=2)

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