Helicopter Pilot 3

OverviewNova 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.Competition #: 47635Department: Natural ResourcesLocation: SHUBENACADIEType of Employment: PermanentUnion Status: NSGEU - NSPGClosing Date: Open until filledAbout Our OpportunityWe are looking for helicopter pilots who want to use their highly skilled utility flying experience for mid-career upgrade. Join the public service and enjoy the perks of a full-time, year round, stable, unionised position with all the benefits in beautiful Nova Scotia. We’re hiring line pilots to join our small, experienced team operating high-performance aircraft with a primary focus on wildfire response and 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. If you\'re an external load specialist, wildfire veteran, and bush pilot ready for stable government employment—but not ready to slow down—we want to hear from you. 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. Primary AccountabilitiesFly New H-125’s helicopters on mission-critical provincial operations: wildfire suppression, longline operations, remote landings, public safety, and search and rescueOperate in challenging VFR environments across forests, wetlands, and coastal terrainSling gear into tight LZs, drop buckets on active wildfires, and assist ground crews during high-tempo missionsRespond to missing or lost persons requests, rescue injured citizens from remote areas and assist local law enforcement with fulfilling their dutiesCollaborate with engineers, ground support, public safety officers, and conservation teamsPerform pre/post-flight planning, documentation, and compliance in accordance with CARs Qualifications and ExperienceYou’re a skilled bush or utility pilot with thousands of hours in the logbook—and still hungry for challenge. You thrive in demanding flight environments, understand the responsibility of external load and Fireline work, and have the composure to operate with limited support in the field. You want your flying to mean something. And you want to be part of a tight-knit team where skill, safety, and service take priority. Required QualificationsValid Transport Canada CPL (H)2,000+ hours PIC on helicopters, including 1,500+ hours on turbine helicoptersRecent experience in external load, wildfire suppression, cargo slinging, and remote and unprepared landing operationsValid Category 1 MedicalFamiliarity with CARs, and safe bush operating practicesNova Scotia Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent Strong AssetsTime on Airbus AS350 / H-125Current PPC on AS350B3ELongline experience (100 ft and above)CRM / PDM course completionsKnowledge of EO/IR camera systems, aerial surveillance, and flight tracking software (ForeFlight, Cirro)Public outreach and community engagement experience Why Join Us?Mission-based flying with minimal customer pressureAircraft based indoors, high dispatch reliability, and safety-first cultureCompensation for overtime and on-callBe home most nights—even during the fire season EquivalencyApplicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. BenefitsBased 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. Other InformationThis Is a Bargaining Unit Position Initially Restricted To Current Civil Service Employees Represented By The Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If Applying From Outside a Government Office, Employees Must Apply Correctly Via This Link. Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued. External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information. Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca. #J-18808-Ljbffr