Kitty Hawk Kites

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Kiteboarding started gaining traction in the Outer Banks in the late 90s.  Kitty Hawk Kites created a Cabrinha Certified Kite School and developed PASA (Professional Air Sports Association) to create consistency and continuity for both teachers and students.  With a continued commitment to progression and safety, Kitty Hawk Kites also accommodates an exciting new way to fly with Wing-Foiling lessons.

Includes Certification Course – Housing Available!
BASIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Prior Kiteboard and/or Wing Foil experience – Proficient with Water Starts, Riding Upwind, and Launching/Landing Techniques
  • Prior teaching experience is preferred
• General availability between March 15th and November 15th
• Situational awareness in a fast-paced setting with lots of variables
• Growth Mindset- always expanding skills & knowledge
• Proactive communication with Guests, Managers, & Colleagues
• Proactive approach to safety for guests and self
• Professional Air Sports Association (PASA) Certification
  • A 3-Day course is offered in early spring
  • Course is included as a component of new staff training, and successful completion is required before you are eligible to work

INSTRUCTION

• New instructors teach Mostly Beginner Lessons
• Operating primarily in Pamlico Sound, a shallow wind sports paradise
• Teaching proper technique to cultivate a foundation in wind sports
• Pay is based upon qualifications, experience, and hours taught
• Work in Kiteboard/Wing retail shop; be knowledgeable on gear sold in shop, upsell and assist guests with gear
• Commission is available on Gear Sales
• Including Kiteboarding and Wing-Foiling.  Cross-Training for the Hang-Gliding School will also be offered as a way to supplement work hours
• Utilizing/Maintaining the following Equipment: JetSki, Kite, Harness, Twin-Tip, Hand Wing, Hydrofoil Board, and Efoil.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Lessons are scheduled for Mornings and Afternoons, with a typical start at 9am.  Instructors are expected to arrive on site at least 30 minutes prior to the lesson start to prepare (assess conditions, set up equipment, etc.)
• On average, the Outer Banks will see 3-4 days a week of optimal conditions for wind sports

RIDING / LIFESTYLE
Come enjoy some of the best kiteboarding and foiling conditions in the world!  Consistent winds and warm waters provide an exceptionally long summer season, and the Pamlico Sound offers 390 square miles of waist deep water, creating the perfect learning environment for wind sports.  The Outer Banks rest at the edge of the Continental Shelf, making the area a mecca for Surfers, and Anglers as well.
OUR COMPANY
The Sandbars of the Outer Banks have enchanted visitors for centuries, from the pirates that ravaged the coastline, to the Wright Brothers and their historic First Flight.  The history of the region is intrinsically tied to a sense of Adventure. 

In 1974, John Harris had a vision to create a Hang-Gliding School, operating on the Sand Dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park.  Five decades later, Kitty Hawk Kites is still “Teaching the World to Fly” and operating the largest school of its kind, sharing the sport of hang-gliding (and many other adventures) with thousands of visitors each year.


Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Department: Kitty Hawk Kites
This is a seasonal position

Retail Crew Members are front-line employees who deliver a "wow" factor for our retail customers. An excellent Retail Crew Member will have excellent customer service skills, an eye for detail to keeping the retail environment clean and shoppable, and will be an ambassador for the brand. In this role, you will have fun while working at the beach, with the opportunity to enjoy the unique coastal environment, waterways, and culture of the Outer Banks.


Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure an enthusiastic and professional level of customer service at all times
  • Working well with all ages of general public 
• Accurately and efficiently ring up customer sales
• Maintain an orderly appearance of register area
• Maintain awareness of current promotions and advertisements
• Adhere to all company policies and guidelines
• Maintaining sales floor
  • Folding shirts, dusting, vacumning, cleaning restrooms
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience 

• Minimum of one-year relevant work experience is preferred
• Experience in the retail field is preferred

Skills 

• Basic computer skills with ability to learn register
• Basic math skills
• Ability to communicate with coworkers and guests
• Ability to learn taks quickly and accurately
• Ability to multi-task

Working Conditions 

• The work environment for this position is generally in an indoor controlled environment. Noise level is moderate
• May be requested to work overtime and weekends during the company's in-season time period

Physical Requirements
About 1/3 of one's time will be spent climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. 1/3 to 2/3 of one's time will be spent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching. Expect to lift up to 25 lbs. Some other physical demands come from continuous computer work, cash register work, sales floor work, events work, and mail order work
 
Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Department: Kitty Hawk Kites
*This is a seasonal position

The Merchandising Internship provides college students with the opportunity to learn about fashion and merchandising in a hands-on setting, offering a variety of merchandising experience related to our diverse brands.  Interns learn about in-store merchandising, sales reports and trends by taking an active part in store layout and retail duties as a retail associate, performing tasks and projects that are assigned under the supervision of the store manager and corporate merchandiser.

REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to 12-week internship
• Flexible availability: nights, weekends, and holidays
• Innovative self starter
• Committed to customer service
• Great teamwork and communication skills
• Dedicated to excellence demonstrated by taking initiative and increasing product knowledge.

BENEFITS

• Competitive wages
• Bonuses and incentives available
• Paid training
• Free recreation including hang gliding, kite boarding and kayaking
• Up to 40% discount on merchandise
• Company sponsored cookouts and events
• Housing priority is given to interns and visa students *Housing is limited*
• Fun work environment by the beach!

 Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Department: Kitty Hawk Kites
This is a non-management position
This is a seasonal position

Warehouse Processors are a crucial part the Kitty Hawk Kites supply chain team, ensuring accurate tagging of retail products, leading to a high level of customer satisfaction in their purchase. At Kitty Hawk Kites, we must operate efficiently so our customers can feel confident in their investment with us, and the Warehouse Processor performs essential duties near the beginning of our supply chain that leads to an uplifting experience for all our customers. In this role, you will have fun while working at the beach, with the opportunity to enjoy the unique coastal environment, waterways, and culture of the Outer Banks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilizes Inventory System to order supplies and maintain proper inventory levels.
• Reviews and inputs data.
• Maintains Central Distribution inventory.
• Takes daily inventory of all supplies for assigned areas.
• Inventories and restocks carts as needed.
• Fills orders for supplies/equipment and delivers supplies/equipment as needed.
• Receives purchases and verifies proper supplies received with the purchase order.
• Delivers supplies/equipment to the proper departments and places them where stocked. Rotates stock for first in/first out usage.
• Assists in researching problem orders (i.e., back orders, incorrect shipments, product substitutions, product recalls, returns, and stock level adjustments).
• Maintains storage areas.
• Sorts, distributes, and processes both incoming and outgoing mail.

Requirements

• Must be over 18.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Must be detail-oriented and highly organized.
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 75 to 100 pounds. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 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 functions.
 Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Department: Kitty Hawk Kites
This is a non-management position
This is a seasonal position

As a leading employer on the Outer Banks for over 40 years, Kitty Hawk Kites is looking to add an experienced, energetic Seasonal Assistant Retail Store Manager to our Duck location. This position will be for April - September of 2024. 

Duties include, but are not limited to;

• Operate within the KHK Inc. core values, mission, and purpose statement
• Careful selection and training of staff.
• Maintaining correct amount of staff during various seasons and holidays.
• Attending appropriate company
• Supervision of staff.
• Maintaining the stores clean, safe, and attractive environment.
• Must be able to accurately prepare:
  • Staff schedules
  • Opening & closing reports
  • Payroll reports.
  • Sales documentation and reports.
  • Marketing reports.
  • Budget projections.
  • Transfer forms and packing slips.
  • Supervise Merchandising.
  • Maintaining stock levels-check to see if items are back-stocked or available from another store.
  • Making sure money is deposited daily.
  • Keeping up with maintenance needs and make sure the store is kept up and taken care of.
  • Assist buyer with feedback and current trends.

Working Conditions
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 functions. In most cases this position will be indoors in a climate controlled environment. There are occasions when work outdoors will be necessary, when this happens one can expect to deal with the natural elements. The noise level in this position is moderate.

Physical Requirements
About 1/3 of one's time will be spent climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. 1/3 to 2/3 of one's time will be spent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching. Expect to lift up to 25 lbs. Some other physical demands come from continuous computer work, cash register work, sales floor work, events work, and mail order work. 

 Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Department: Kitty Hawk Kites
This is a management position

The Reservationist will have primary day-to-day responsibility to provide excellent customer service to customers calling to make reservations and to provide general information about all Morningside Flight Park activities and recreation. The Reservationist will additionally assist in guiding, park maintenance and supervising activity schedules.

Job Duties

• Provide excellent customer service in person as well as through email, phone calls, text messages, and online chats
• Know and understand the recreational offerings that Morningside offers
• Assist in tasks associated with recreational offerings that Morningside offers (included but not limited to the following): monitoring the Reservations multi-line telephone and voicemail systems; ensuring the Reservations systems are functioning and interfacing properly; diffusing any customer relations issues that arise related to Reservations
• Utilize excellent telephone etiquette and customer service skills to promote, inform, and make sales of adventure programs
• Maintain reservations system with accurate schedule and offerings
• Assist in guiding tours
• Schedule guides based on reservations
• Maintain the safety and functionality of the Flight Park in all activities
• Work with the Marketing team to create effective campaigns that generate traffic through the park

Education & Experience

• 0 -2 years related Reservations experience
• Customer service experience, communications, social media, or office experience preferred

Skills

• Good phone skills & able to sell on phone.
• Good organizational skills.
• Detail oriented
• Comfortable with multitasking
• Quality Customer Service skills and an attitude commensurate with the role of making an excellent first impression
• Must be willing and able to build strong relationships with customers
• Able to stand on your feet for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift 35 lbs
• Ability to work outdoors in the sun
• Must be a team player
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations with customers and clients

Working Conditions

• The work environment for this position will vary between indoors and outdoors depending on location
• Noise level in this job is moderate to noisy; expect business office machinery, people talking, background music playing
• May be requested to work overtime and weekends during the company’s in-season time period
• May be requested to drive company vehicle to other locations
• May be requested to work holidays as needed - weekends required

Physical Requirements
About 1/3 of one's time will be spent climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. 1/3 of one's time will be spent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching. About 2/3 of one's time will be spent using one's hands to finger, handle to feel, as well as talking to hearing. Expect to lift up to 35 lbs. on a regular basis. Vision required: close, color, peripheral, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Some other physical demands come from continuous computer work, cash register work, sales floor work, events work, and mail order work. Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Department: Morningside Flight Park
This is a seasonal position

We are searching for an Adventure Tow Pilot to join our team! This is a unique position in the exciting Hang Gliding & Paragliding industry, and will help us to maintain LSA tow aircraft as well as pilot LSA tow planes. This is a full-time, year-round, benefits eligible position. 

Summary
This position will provide safe, instructional towed hang gliding flights by piloting either an ultralight or Light Sport aircraft and facilitate in the other working of the flight park (i.e. - selling and repairing equipment, bookings, marketing, other recreations, etc.).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide safe, quality flights and instruction
• Perform routine preventative maintenance
• Protect safety of students
• Abide by all rules of the FAA, USHPA, and airport
• Stay current on all aspects of towing in hang gliding
• Schedule flexibility
• Improve flying skills as well as teaching skills
• Facilitate sales of lessons and equipment
• Prepare and repair all equipment on a daily basis
• Exhibit good judgment and maturity
• Maintain currency with all licenses and appointments
• Daily preflight of aircraft
• Document and log all flights and maintenance

Education and/or Experience

• Two to four years related experience and/or training
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• FAA Pilot's license
  • Tow endorsement
• USHPA Aerotow Pilot Appointment (TAP)
• CFI rating required

Skills
COMPUTER SKILLS Must be comfortable with computer programs and be able to use Excel, OneNote and other Office365 programs. Experience with inventory management systems such as Counter Point or Retail Clarity a plus but not required.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Good communication skills – both verbal and written.

Working Conditions
The work environment for this position is generally outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Mostly sunny and hot conditions. Will spend much of the time in, on or around the water. May be requested to work overtime and weekends during the company’s in-season time period.May be requested to drive company vehicle to other locations and tow watercraft.

Physical Requirements 
About 1/2 of one's time will be spent climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling. Two-thirds of one's time will be spent standing, walking, sitting, and reaching. About 2/3 of one's time will be spent using one's hands to finger, handle or feel, as well as talking or hearing. Expect to lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis. Vision required: close, color, peripheral, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Some other physical demands come from working outdoors on and around the water.Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Department: Kitty Hawk Kites
This is a full time position

Hang Gliding Instructor:

If you:

• Love to inspire others
• Enjoy learning and have a coach-able mindset
• Have excellent athletic potential
• Are looking for opportunities for advancement and growth both professionally and personally
• Can commit to an unpaid training program

Then this is the place for you.

• Very simply, through this program:
• You earn the opportunity to teach people to fly.
• You earn the opportunity to learn to fly.
• You will change lives every single day.
• You will grow as a pilot and instructor, but also as an individual.
• You will forever be a part of a one-of-a-kind community that spans the globe.
• You will leave here in the best shape of your life.
• You get to live at the beach and take advantage of all that it has to offer.
• You will not make a lot of money, but...
• It will be the best summer of your life. 

Now some of the details of the Instructor training program:
Those of us in the hang gliding department at Kitty Hawk Kites would like to thank you for your interest in the Instructor Training Academy (ITA). The Academy is the only program of its kind in the United States. Since 1974, we have taken people with little or no flight experience and brought them through our training programs. Within these programs new instructors work hard on both their teaching skills, and on their own personal flying skills. Instructors are able to do these things while earning money teaching beginning hang gliding in Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Those instructors who return for a second season, or remain through the off-season, are sponsored by Kitty Hawk Kites to attend a United States Hang Gliding Association, Instructor Certification Program. Instructors who earn their certification are eligible to teach, and issue ratings anywhere in the U.S. Most are offered positions as Lead Instructors, and remain at Kitty Hawk Kites to assume a greater role in the school and in the Academy’s training programs.

We are proud of our instructor training program. Each year it continues to grow, and the quality and dedication of our instructor corps grows with it. The opportunities that exist within the program are immense. However, there are some things you need to understand before you apply to the Instructor Training Academy. This program, and this job, are for people who are here to learn how to fly and to develop their skills as a teacher. Hang Gliding Instructing on the dunes at Jockeys Ridge is no easy feat.  You must be able to carry a 55lb glider up the sand dune 50 times and run down the dune while teaching students to fly. You will make enough money to live and enjoy life on the Outer Banks, but probably won’t save much. We require a full-time commitment from new instructors, and the days can be long. If you plan on getting a second job it will probably have to be on your days off to avoid scheduling conflicts. As your flying and teaching skills progress, you will be given the opportunity to make more money. There will be various training clinics throughout the summer that are neither paid, nor mandatory. However, they are excellent learning opportunities to increase your skills as a pilot and instructor. Completion of these clinics makes you more valuable as an instructor, and therefore participation in some of these will result in pay raises. Nevertheless, we are looking for the kind of people who will take such opportunities out of a desire to learn.

The work is physically demanding. The typical workday is about seven hours long, most of which will be spent actually teaching out on the dune. During the summer months you will be expected to run down the training hill with students and carry the glider back up. Temperatures in the summer average in the nineties and the humidity is generally high. Remember that you are in a teaching situation. This requires that you always maintain your responsibilities as an instructor, despite sometimes exhausting conditions. You will leave here in probably the best shape of your life.

Despite all of this, if you are hired, this will be the best job you’ve ever had. Nearly everyone dreams of flying, and everyday you get to make those dreams come true. However, the rewards of this job extend far outside of teaching. We believe that better pilots will make better instructors. Therefore, our commitment to developing your skills as a pilot extend far beyond just what it takes to make you a competent instructor on the dune.

Kitty Hawk Kites utilizes an aerotug as a major part of the advanced portions of our instructor training. This ultralight allows us to tow people up tandem in a hang glider with an instructor to teach high altitude flying skills. Once instructors have mastered towing and landing approaches they are able to go to the tow site on days off to gain airtime through solo flying. Beware, this requires a commitment from you to put in the effort necessary to develop your flying skills by this time.

The Outer Banks itself is an exciting place to Live. The people who live and work here are typically students, and seasonal employees who spend their winters out west, at ski resorts, or down south, in the islands. Most are between the ages of twenty and thirty. Kitty Hawk Kites hires the brightest, most outgoing, and social of these people as we are a company that is based around outdoor recreation and customer service. Our recreation department also includes a kiteboarding site, sea kayaking eco-tours, sport climbing, and biking. All of these facilities and equipment are available for our staff, and they are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these things in their free time. We have work opportunities available in our stores, warehouses, etc. while you complete your training!

Please consider the contents of this letter carefully. If you believe that you can meet the challenges of this job, and are dedicated to your desire to learn about teaching hang gliding, we can guarantee the most fun and fulfilling job of your life. We will look forward to receiving your application. 

Kitty Hawk Kites, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.