Casual Position
You will be required to be available 7 days a week (weekend work is frequent) so flexibility within your role is a must.
Early morning times dependent on the time of year, generally shifts are 6-7 hours
- Start times can be from 3.00am – 5.00am
- Finish times can be from 10.00am – 12.00pm
This is determined by sunrise – we meet approx. 2.5hrs before sunrise.
E.g. During Aug/Sept we are meeting in the Yarra Valley around 5am, so we would require the guide to provide city hotel pickups around 3-3.30am depending on how many there are. The passengers would be back after their flight for breakfast around 8-8.30am and then the driver would take all CBD hotel transfers back into the city by about 10.30-11am.
In summer the shifts will start & finish earlier. Additional reasonable hours may be required during peak periods.
About Us
Global Ballooning Australia is the largest hot air ballooning company in Victoria, operating sunrise balloon flights for 30 years over Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Mansfield and occasionally nationally/worldwide. As a small business it is important to understand that your performance is crucial to our continued success and that the job requires that you have a dedicated work ethic. It is important to understand that there is no single job description that would clearly cover what each individual’s duties are. The single most important attribute is that you enjoy what you do and have a happy working relationship with all involved.
You are required to conduct yourself in a diligent professional manner maintaining good faith and ensuring you always work in the best interest of the company. You will respect and maintain all policies and procedures. The job can be demanding, frustrating and sometimes long hours, it can also be incredibly rewarding and exciting. Your future duties and responsibilities within this company structure are totally dependent on your attitude, commitment and desire.
Besides absolutely loving what we do, we pride ourselves on our company culture and staff satisfaction is super important at Global Ballooning Australia. Additionally, you are to ensure our passengers have a wonderful experience and create lasting memories. All new employees undergo comprehensive induction/training, as well as receiving ongoing specific training when required. Enjoy the occasional balloon flight too!
As an employee, you will enjoy…
- Access to a variety of staff discounts and benefits
- Breakfast on flying days
- Tours and accommodation at discounted industry rates
- Complimentary hot air balloon flights when we have last minute places
- Training opportunities encouraged
- A fun, flexible and supportive working culture
Job Objective
This role will be to drive a company vehicle to conduct city hotel pickups, drive passengers to the Yarra Valley and return passengers to the city after the flight and breakfast – this role will be perfect for someone who lives within 20kms of the city.
Throughout this experience, tour guiding expertise is essential to give all passengers a clear understanding of what is happening from start to end of their experience. Maximise and build company awareness through networking and promotion after the flight. Also, physical assistance during the balloon flight is essential to provide support to the pilot in preparation of launch and landing the balloon – all the time, ensuring a high standard of service and safety to passengers & being proactive with keeping all passengers updated.
Responsibilities
- Transportation of passengers in 4WD vehicles and buses
- Drive a bus on a daily return trip from Melbourne city to the Yarra Valley (occasionally may require assistance for the Melbourne flight, instead of Yarra Valley)
- Navigate around Melbourne CBD to locate city hotels to collect passengers & navigate around the Yarra Valley at one of the many launch/landing sites (this is determined by wind direction) on a strict time schedule
- Meet and greet passengers
- Identify and report weather changes on the ground
- Assist with passengers getting into and out of the basket if necessary
- Rigging and packing up of the balloon
- Driving a vehicle to the planned landing site during the flight to retrieving the balloon
- Cleaning and maintenance of vehicles and equipment
- Take payment from passengers and maintain accurate records of each flight on flight report sheets
- Assist with the general needs of passengers at breakfast, including answering any questions or queries they may have. You will also enjoy breakfast with the guests
- Promote, add value and represent the company in a positive manner
- Achieve the highest standard of product, professionalism and passenger awareness
- Maintain a constant liaison with staff members within the company, address any problems or issues in a constructive way, and have a general understanding of the day to day goings on
Job Qualifications / Experience
- Must speak fluent English; written and spoken
- Tour Guide experience necessary – tourism and travel industry knowledge and experience
- Experienced in driving 4WD vehicles and buses
- Medium Rigid or Heavy Bus License
- Taxi Directorate – Drivers Certificate
- Experienced in towing and reversing trailers
- A current level 2 First Aid Certificate is desirable
- Knowledge of bus accreditation systems is desirable but not essential
Training and upskilling
Global Ballooning Australia prides itself on our safety record. You will be required to attend:
- An Orientation day
- Initial induction training
- Additionally, you are required to attend a minimum of 2 safety seminars per year and any other supervisory meetings or training meetings outside work hours as reasonably required by Global Ballooning Australia
- Optional skills-based training
As the successful applicant, you will:
- Be well presented, punctual, reliable and easily contactable
- Offer a personalised experience
- Deliver exceptional customer service and fantastic communication skills
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Physically fit
- Able to work collaboratively within a team and accept instructions
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to adapt to multiple and changing priorities
- Successful relationship building with both internal and external key stakeholders
- Professionally handles sales and service general enquiries
- Strong communication skills face-to-face and over the phone
- A natural big picture, forward planner who critically assesses own performance
- Reliable, tolerant, and determined
- Empathic communicator, able to see things from the other person’s point of view
- Demonstrates initiative and confidence
- Ability to work autonomously & take initiative
- Ability to make quick decisions under pressure
- Ability to resolve conflict with customers to achieve win-win outcomes
