Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To assist the Remote Airport Foreperson in the maintenance and operation of a remote northern airport and in the construction and maintenance of airport service roads. In the absence of the Foreperson, to provide leadership to seasonal staff and Band Hires when performing a variety of task necessary to maintain and operate a remote northern airport facility. (These sites are remotely located across northern Ontario with prolonged cold winters from October to May.)

Duties / Responsibilities :

Working under the general supervision of the Head of Airport Operations, team leadership of the Airport Zone Supervisor and group leadership of the Remote Airport Foreperson, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Operating and maintaining equipment to construct and maintain airfields and roads by the following:
- Operating heavy equipment (e.g., packer, bulldozer, loader, grader and dump trucks) to repair and maintain airport facilities, runway and service roads. This includes ploughing in the winter, and grading and compacting in the summer. Where provided, the incumbent would also operate snow blower, runway sweeper and plow truck, loader, vibratory packer, tandem truck to spread material on runway, apron surfaces;

- Operating small equipment (e.g., chainsaws, welders, circular saw, drill press, grinder, etc.) to perform maintenance tasks; and
- Performing routine maintenance, servicing and minor repairs on vehicles and equipment to keep them serviceable (e.g., changing minor components, repairing flat tires, changing fluids and lubricants, adjusting/calibrating components, welding, cutting, grinding, etc.);
- Cleaning and washing equipment.

2. Assisting the Foreperson with operating and maintaining the airport by doing the following:
- Inspecting and repairing aircraft manoeuvring areas, visual aids, runway lights, emergency lighting, etc. on a daily basis, especially during the absence of the foreperson;
- Performing adjustments and/or repairs to airfield lighting system such as replacing lenses, lamps, etc.;
- Communicating with aircraft by using very high frequency (VHF) radio equipment while operating equipment on the airport;
- Maintaining water, plumbing and septic systems as per provincial and federal legislation;
- Maintaining security of the airport to ensure only authorized personnel enter in restricted areas and ensure aircraft operators are controlling passengers on the ramp;
- Maintaining the areas adjacent to the runway to ensure there are no obstructions within the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (i.e., trees or vegetation);
- Providing emergency assistance to aircraft, aircrew and others, including ensuring the airport fire extinguishers are serviceable;
- Compile and submit Notice to Airman through Nav Canada as per legislative requirements; and
- Complete and document runway condition & surface inspections, safety management system reports, wildlife reports and vehicle/equipment daily inspection books etc.

3. Assisting the Foreperson with maintaining and repairing airport buildings and utilities by doing the following:
- Conducting daily inspections of ministry buildings and utilities for maintenance defects or cleanliness in the absence of the foreperson;
- Assisting with correcting deficiencies or arranging for required work to be done as necessary, particularly in the absence of the foreperson;
- Performing repairs to buildings and utility systems such as fixing doors, windows and screens, taps, leaking roofs, furnace, water lines, pumps, water treatment systems, septic tanks, etc.;
- Assisting service providers to repair equipment, buildings and utility systems; and
- Overseeing leases and leasehold activities on leased space in the absence of the foreperson.

4. Assisting with planning, coordinating and supervising maintenance and construction to effectively and safely operate a specific remote northern airport by doing the following:
- Performing the duties of the Remote Airport Foreperson in the absence of the foreperson;
- Helping to ensure work is performed within budget and to airport policies and standards;
- Helping to assess labour and equipment resources required for work to assist Airport Zone Supervisor in estimating costs and equipment availability;
- Providing group leadership to any seasonal/unclassified staff and temporary short term hires in the performance of duties, especially in the absence of the foreperson;
- Assisting with performing daily administrative duties and related functions by recording, documenting and submitting data as required by RNTO. Examples are labour and equipment time sheets, fuel and lubricant usage reports, requisitioning materials and equipment parts, facilitating third party temporary assistance through respective Band offices and/or Northern Store, hiring community Band equipment, rental of Ministry facilities, labour and equipment, road subsidy agreements, etc.;
- Maintaining inventory of parts, fuel and lubricants and reordering;
- Performing safety inspections of all safety and fire related equipment such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and first aid kit and refill or restock as required;
- Supervising and assisting contractors performing work for MTO;
- Receiving and shipping material and supplies;
- Collecting and preparing for shipment hazardous wastes such as used motor oil, batteries, battery acid, antifreeze, paint thinner, etc.;
- Participating in delivery and review of Safety Management System where appropriate.

Staffing and Licensing :

Ability to obtain Restricted Radio Operator (Air) License
Minimum Class G Drivers Licence with the ability to obtain DZ
Ability to obtain Standard First Aid and CPR

Knowledge :

- Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act as well as other applicable occupational health and safety legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and operating guidelines.
- Ability to operate a variety of heavy equipment necessary to operate and maintain the remote northern airport.
- Knowledge of remote northern airport operations and aerodrome certification requirements.
- Ability to organize, allocate and review work of employees, service providers and band hires.
- Ability to operate a variety of hand tools, power tools and other equipment (e.g., pumps, compressors, arc welder, oxy/acetylene welder, etc.)
- Ability to operate a two-way radio per the terms of the Restricted Radio Operator (Air) License.
- Knowledge of servicing and ability to perform minor mechanical repairs for equipment and vehicles.
- Knowledge of and ability to perform minor and emergency repairs to buildings and utilities.
- Knowledge of and ability to complete and maintain work records such as time sheets, diaries, etc.
- Ability to read, write and speak in English.
- Knowledge of local aboriginal language - either Cree, Ojibway or Oji-Cree an asset (excluding Pickle Lake).
- Ability to maintain accounts and cash for work done by and for others.
- Knowledge Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
- Knowledge of fire suppression equipment and procedures (e.g., using small chemical fire extinguishers and other agents such as water, sand, etc. to extinguish fires).
- Knowledge of Transportation of Dangerous Goods legislation and related policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Knowledge of and ability to complete and maintain work records such as time sheets, diaries, Runway Condition Reports and Wildlife Observaton/Management reports etc.
- Knowledge of Safety Management System and related policies, procedures and guidelines.

Skills :

- Ability to interpret weather and respond in an appropriate fashion to minimize airport closures.
- Ability to make decisions on issuance of Notice to Airman (NOTAM) when conditions warrant and as required for aviation safety in the absence of the foreperson.
- Ability to make decisions regarding availability and rental of equipment to First Nation in the absence of the foreperson.
- Ability to assess whether seasonal staff and Band Hires are skilled enough to operate large machinery in the absence of the foreperson.
- Self-motivation, determination and confidence in ones abilities.
- Attention to detail to identify operational issues and problem-solving skills to resolve them in a timely fashion.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team as the group leader in the absence of the foreperson.
- Political acuity to appropriately handle challenging issues and situations and to know when to bring compliance or operational issues promptly to the attention of Airport Foreperson, Airport Zone Supervisor, Head or Manager.
- Ability to identify issues that have the potential to adversely affect the organization, ministry or external stakeholders (e.g., First Nation communities, air carriers, etc.)
- Ability to work under stress during a crises/aircraft incident assuming the responsibilities of On Scene Controller until relieved by higher authority.
- Ability to work in extreme weather conditions ensuring continuity of airport operations.

Freedom of Action :

Position works under the day-to-day group leadership of the Remote Airport Foreperson and independently in the forepersons absence within the guidance of ministry standards, guidelines policies and procedures to operate a remote northern airport facility.
- Job requires working in accordance with standard operational and government administrative principles.
- Job requires working independently and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders to resolve issues and operational problems, including issues related Air Transportation Safety.
- Incumbent is required to promptly inform Remote Airport Foreperson, as well as other stakeholders of matters of operational noncompliance and critical safety.
- Refers matters outside of area of operational expertise and established procedures and practices to Remote Airport Foreperson.