Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To perform Pilot-in-Command flight and related duties on single-engine helicopters as required by the Ministry of Natural Resources' Aviation Program.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Acts as Pilot-in-Command on single-engine helicopters under visual flight rules by:
- having full responsibility to proceed or cancel scheduled flights; - instructing in aircraft safety and survival to clients;
- taking required training courses as directed by the MNR, MNR Aviation, and Transport Canada policies (i.e. recurrent training on helicopter types and configurations AS 350 B2 and/or EC 130 B4, and other types as required;
- traveling inside and outside the Province of Ontario as required;
- spending extended periods of time away from home and possibly at remote locations (e.g. Fish & Wildlife camps, Fire tent camps, etc.);
- identifying and locating lakes designated by Fish & Wildlife and stocking them with fish;
- carrying out enforcement patrol and participating as part of the enforcement team (e.g. Fish & Wildlife, OPP, etc.);
- carrying out wildlife aerial surveys, plotting course and following grids for best results;
- transporting resource management and other personnel on aerial inspections of urban and remote locations;
- carrying out aerial photography assignments for mapping, infrared remote sensing, video taping and filming, etc.;
- maintaining discipline as captain of aircraft, ensuring safety of passengers in flight, that they are properly clothed, and that they understand correct embarking, disembarking instructions;
- trouble shooting, reporting defects to air engineers, suggesting possible diagnosis and carrying out ground run-ups and flight tests of repaired aircraft as required;
- assisting air maintenance engineers in aircraft servicing (i.e. fuel, oil, grooming, installation and removal of cowlings, etc.);
- Ensuring safe configuration of aircraft, i.e. internal cargo, external sling loads, and adherence to all up weight load - limit specifications and proper loading of cargo;
- accurately preparing and submitting all required flight reports, i.e. flight plan, passenger, cargo manifests, logs, pilot flight and duty times, etc., in accordance with regulations, policies and procedures;
- safeguarding and ensuring security of helicopter at base or in the field, i.e. tied down, etc., and serviceability of radios, navigational aids and other auxiliary equipment, adequacy of supply of survival equipment;
- carrying out searches for missing aircraft, lost hunters, evacuations of fire threatened communities, emergency flights for medical reasons, demonstration flights, etc.;
- transporting other government officials, MPP's, etc.;
- familiarizing new pilots with the Ministry's air operations; and
- operating single-engine rotary wing aircraft according to Transport Canada day VFR flight rules on scheduled and unscheduled flights.

2. Operates single-engine helicopters in the detection and suppression of forest fires by:
- carrying out forest fire patrols to detect and locate fires accurately;
- reporting accurate location, size, fuel type, and accessibility of fires to pertinent District Fire Centre;
- evaluating fire location area to determine best means of access, i.e. landable lakes, roads, etc., and location of site from which to service the fire taking into consideration size, spread rate, potential, access, weather, wind directions, fuel, etc.;
- analyzing fire situation and recommending kind and strength of attack, i.e. additional aircraft to service, water-bucket and/or ground personnel and equipment required to handle;
- servicing fires, under the direction of fire boss, by slinging equipment, water bucketing, cargo dropping, transporting men/equipment, (helitack) mapping fire area and instructing passengers/crew on safe working methods around aircraft;
- communicating to fire boss condition and changes of fire such as crown or jump fires which might endanger fire crews or pose a threat to residents of bush communities, cottages, other values to protect such as cut timber, etc.;
- ensuring that essential equipment is delivered as a first priority in the event fire area should become inaccessible by air, and following up with delivery of all equipment requested by fire boss/fire crews as and when conditions permit;
- developing a flight path for aircraft from base to fire in order to continue servicing in the event of heavy smoke or deteriorating weather conditions, bird-dogging several bombers, i.e. CL-215, Twin Otter, Helicopter;
- operating in conjunction with ignition boss, the Ontario Aerial Ignition Device and Drip Torch, whether it be on a wildfire or prescribed burn;
- operating in conjunction with trained MNR personnel; sling loads, longlining, waterbucketing, and hover exits;
- while in the workplace, conducting themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor and in accordance with the Internal Responsibility System, as outlined in the OH&S Act; and -ensuring customer service is obtained.

3. Performs other duties as assigned.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Commercial Rotary Wing Pilot Licence, Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate.
A minimum of 2000 hours rotary wing experience as Pilot-in-Command or equivalent.
Ability to pass Canadian and U.S. Transport Agency Security Screening;
Valid passport or ability to acquire.
Ability to travel out of province.
Ability to acquire firearms acquisition certificate.

Knowledge :

Thorough knowledge of Canada Air Regulations and Ministry regulations and procedures. Proficiency in flying AS 350 B2, and/or EC 130 B4 and other single-engine type helicopters as required with the ability to become proficient in all phases of Ministry transport, fish planting, vertical reference long line and external load operations., etc., and other types of flying. A sound knowledge of weather, fire behaviour, suppression strategy and methods Knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Survival, search and rescue techniques.

Skills :

Ability to exercise sound judgment and decisiveness in stressful and emergency situations. Well developed communication, public relations and report writing skills. Must meet current Ministry aviation standards with regards to flying hours on aircraft type and related flight time requirements.

Freedom of Action :

Willingness to be away from home for extended periods.
Personal suitability for position.