Chief Pilot

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources - including biodiversity, forests, geological resources, provincial parks, and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.

Aviation Services is a division of the Department of Natural Resources responsible for providing helicopter support for all provincial government departments and agencies. We are responsible for inland search and rescue, wildfire management, support of public safety events across the province and assisting other government departments with the management of natural resources and research.

About Our Opportunity

Under the direct supervision of the Operations Manager, the Chief Pilot Safety Officer is responsible for the professional standards of the flight crew and is responsible for the overall safety and efficient operation of department aircraft.

Ready to stop touring and enjoy more evenings and weekends at home? Want to fly for the public good, free from customer pressure?

Join a small, professional team flying state-of-the-art, meticulously maintained aircraft—mostly stored indoors and equipped with ample power for demanding tasks. Safety is our top priority.

Welcome home.

DNR - Aviation Services is a unionized government air service supporting the Province of Nova Scotia. With over 70 years of operation, a recent pay review, and a clear path for future growth, we're looking for line pilots who are self-motivated, safety-focused, and committed to professionalism.

If you represent the best of Canadian aviation—Welcome home.

This position is an active line pilot. It also is responsible for the supervision of the line pilots and supports the staff in all aspects of training, regulatory compliance and acts as a mentor. You must exemplify the professionalism and safety culture of the organization.

You will be responsible for 5 pilots, with 4 Aircraft in the organization. In collaboration with our 6 person maintenance department, this small team environment leaves room to personalize the position. Integrating your personal experience while building the future of our air service under the guidance of the DNR mandate.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Chief Pilot Safety Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Retain an active flight status on the schedule.
• Assist in the development of policy and procedures, operational guidelines and flight standards to ensure operation meets the requirements of the Federal Aeronautics Act, Canadian Aviation Regulations, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, and the Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
• Coordinating the activities of the rotary wing pilot group
• Ensuring that all flight operation functions are following all regulations
• Providing leadership to staff involved in the rotary-wing flight operations program.
• Ensuring all rotary-wing pilots are licensed, receive initial and recurrent training and are instructed on the proper regulations and procedures.
• Coordinates training of pilots, engineers and ground crews to ensure Government employees are trained, qualified and meet dispatch requirements.
• Delivering the OH&S program
• And other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful within this role you must possess a valid Transport Canada Commercial Pilot's License for Helicopter operation (CPL-H) and have a minimum of 3000 hours pilot-in-command flight experience on helicopters. You will also have experience with the following:

• Hold a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate
• Have knowledge and experience of wildfire suppression procedures and water bucketing,
• Have knowledge and experience of wildlife surveys, aerial Surveys, cargo slinging, Search and rescue techniques
• Be cognizant of relevant Canadian Aviation Regulations, Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations, and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Regulations.
• Be able to work with minimum supervision and carry out all flight duties and ground duties in a professional and safe manner.
• Recent experience in wildfire management, remote unprepared landing areas and cargo slinging.
• Nova Scotia Class 5 drivers license or equivalent

Assets for this role include:

• Hold or have held a Chief Pilot position
• An endorsement on Airbus AS350(EC30)
• Have Experience on Airbus H-125
• Possess valid Emergency First Aid with CPR certification, WHMIS training, and/or a current Pilot Decision Making (PDM) or Crew Resource Management (CRM) course.
• Have a Current Pilot Proficiency Check on the Airbus AS350B3E (H-125) series and/or Airbus AS350 (EC30).
• Experience with both Foreflight and Cirro flight management software.
• Experience in public outreach and community relations, along with strong presentation skills to assist in organizing and facilitating special projects.
• Experience with Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Camera systems and aerial surveillance techniques
• Knowledge and use of Microsoft Office and IOS applications.
• Experience in emergency management and aerial coordination

Please clearly illustrate in your cover letter how you meet or exceed the above qualifications.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Pilots may have to work outside of regular hours, on-call schedules, on weekends and holidays, particularly during fire season, and may be required to work or attend training courses out-of-province. Flight duties could require extended stays away from the main Aviation Services' base in Shubenacadie. Shift schedules are adjusted seasonally and based on staffing levels. Every effort will be made to ensure adequate time off, and in all cases will ensure CARS Fatigue management minimums are complied with Shift schedules are adjusted seasonally and based on staffing levels. All time worked outside of scheduled hours are paid at the appropriate Overtime and on-Call rates as per the union agreement.

Additional Information

This is a one (1) year TERM employment opportunity. The appointment status ('term', 'temporary' or 'casual') is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

Pilots must reside or be willing to relocate to Nova Scotia and respond within 1 hour to the main Aviation Services' base in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia when on Call.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• An engaged workplace where we foster respect and recognition.
• Forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.