Pilot 5 (Training Pilot)

About Us

Nova Scotia’s natural landscapes demand a special kind of pilot. The Department of Natural Resources manages the province’s forests, parks, wildlife, and Crown lands—but it’s our Aviation Services team that brings these missions to life from the air.

With over 70 years of operational excellence, Aviation Services provides helicopter support for wildfire suppression, inland search and rescue, public safety, and natural resource management. Our pilots are tactical operators, not just transporters—tasked with delivering precision results under pressure in rugged and remote terrain.

Are you currently on a seasonal contract but do not know what your next step is? Apply now, start dates for incumbents can be negotiated to work around your current contract status. 

About Our Opportunity

This is your chance to take your field-tested skills and apply them in a role where your precision, safety, and judgment matter every single day. No chasing customers. No air travel commuting. A wide variety of flight portfolio. Just real flying with real purpose.

This is a new position within the Government of Nova Scotia. We are looking for a Training Pilot who wants to use their flying experience to join the public service. In addition to being an active line pilot and participating in a wide variety of missions, the Training Pilot will work with the Chief Pilot to design and build an internal training and monitoring program for pilots. You will organize and deliver training to DNR Wildfire, Ground Search and Rescue, and Law Enforcement teams, among others. You will be responsible for training and tracking six pilots, operating four aircraft within the organization.

In collaboration with our five-person maintenance department, this small-team environment leaves room to personalize the position. You’ll integrate your personal experience while building the future of our air service under the guidance of the DNR mandate.

Annual PPC, emergency training and advanced maneuvers training will be delivered on a contract basis with outside agencies. In collaboration with the Chief Pilot, this is an opportunity to build the training program you’ve always wanted - While working in a secure full time, year round, stable, unionised position with all the benefits of public service in beautiful Nova Scotia.

With out small, experienced team, operating high-performance aircraft with a primary focus on, wildfire response, emergency response. As well as Natural Resource external load support, remote bush operation and intense unprepared landing areas. You'll be flying for the public good, in well-maintained aircraft, under an organization that values professionalism, precision, and purpose.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Training Pilot, you will:

• Retain an active flight status on the schedule while flying New H-125’s helicopters on mission-critical provincial operations
• Design and create a training and mentorship program for DNR Aviation Services. Ranging from pilots and engineers fresh out of school to highly experienced.
• Maintain, organise and present the assigned approved training program flight crews ensuring to meet internal, regulatory and industry standards.
• Maintain, organise and present, along with other line pilots, the assigned approved training program materials to DNR Wildfire, Ground Search and Rescue, and Law enforcement teams among others.
• In consultation with the Chief Pilot: establish and updates standard operating procedures
• Provide helicopter support to all provincial government departments and agencies, including wildfire suppression, inland search and rescue, public safety, law enforcement, aerial reconnaissance, and management, conservation and protection of natural resources.
• Establishing and monitoring standards and pilot techniques to ensure crew are complying with flight operations.
• Maintains and ensures the accuracy of all training records for the Pilots in the department and is accountable to provide these to Transport Canada as requested.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

You will also have experience with the following:

• Valid Transport Canada CPL (H)
• Hold Class 3 Flight instructor rating, or equivalent experience, as deemed applicable by the employer
• 3000 flight hours as a Pilot-in-Command in rotary wing aircraft
• Hold a valid Category 1 Medical Certificate
• Recent experience in external load, wildfire suppression, cargo slinging, and remote  and unprepared landing operations
• Familiarity with CARs, and safe bush operating practices
• Strong presentation skills to assist in organizing and facilitating special projects.

• Nova Scotia Class 5 drivers license or equivalent

The following will be considered assets:

• Time and/or endorcement on Airbus AS350 / H-125
• Current PPC on AS350B3E
• Precision longline and external load experience
• CRM / PDM course completions
• Knowledge of EO/IR camera systems, aerial surveillance, and flight tracking software (ForeFlight, Cirro)
• Public outreach and community engagement experience
• Knowledge and use of Microsoft Office and IOS applications specific to communication and creation of presentations.
• Experience in emergency management and aerial coordination

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.

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: practical flight evaluation, written examination, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

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

• Must reside in or relocate to Nova Scotia
• Must respond within 1 hour to Shubenacadie base while on-call
• Travel and deployments up to 7 days within the province may be required during peak fire season

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.