Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To manage lead, plan and organize the day-to-day aircraft maintenance activities including hangar and field repairs at multiple regional bases, through the supervision of air maintenance engineers and apprentice positions.
The incumbent will maintain a diverse fleet of aircraft in an airworthy condition for flight in accordance with the Federal Canadian Aviation Regulations, the OMNR Maintenance Policy & Control Manual, Aircraft Manufacturers Recommendations and Directives as issued by AFFMB, in order to ensure safe, efficient and cost effective support to a variety of client groups. Provincially responsible for the technical leadership of the helicopter program, monitoring and evaluation of maintenance operations. This position shall be appointed in accordance with CAR s573.04 and may legally act in place of the Chief Engineer Maintenance Services.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Coordinates and assigns daily and weekly scheduled and unscheduled maintenance requirements in accordance with Transport Canada Regulations, Airworthiness Manuals, Ministry Maintenance Policy and Control Manual, Approved Maintenance Schedules and Aircraft Manufacturers recommendations.
2. Directs and monitors the Maintenance Policy & Control Manual in order to be in compliance with the quality assurance requirements.
3. Supervises up to 20 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers at all permanent bases and temporary client bases of operations within the region.
4. Ensures that Airworthiness Directives, Service Bulletins and Special Inspections are completed within the required time frames including accurate documentation of the work performed.
5. Conducts safety audit inspections on commercial aircraft hired for OMNR flying and assists in aircraft accident investigations. Assists as requested with Transportation Safety Board accident investigations.
6. Organizes and maintains technical records for all aircraft under his/her control that pertain to the work being accomplished.
7. Acts as liaison between the Air Maintenance Engineers, the Production Planner, the Chief Engineer and the Quality Assurance Specialist in regard to technical and administration matters.
8. Performs complex maintenance tasks on the aircraft to ensure customer needs are met and satisfied.
9. Reviews staff performance and complete the Performance Appraisal Process for all direct reports, recommends discipline and merit increases.
10. Provides input into maintenance planning, aircraft modifications, work procedures and inspection procedures and standards.
11. Provincially responsible for issues management related to the maintenance of helicopters.
12. Responsible to the Chief Engineer, Aviation Services for AME training with regards to safe maintenance operation of helicopters.
13. Active member of the Quality Assurance Committee, providing direction and support to monitor and continually enhance maintenance procedures currently in place and provide input into the Reliability and Evaluation Program
14. Provides advice and direction to all field fuel installations and ensures standards conform to the Gasoline Handling Act and AFFMB Fuel Policy and Procedures.
15. Maintains and manages multiple air bases and associated facilities by preparing a work plan and tracking funding requirements.
16. Administers the base budgets as required for employee travel expenses, tools and equipment.
17. Maintains the care and control of a high dollar inventory of aircraft parts located strategically throughout the province.
18. Works closely with MNR clients and external agencies to ensure total customer satisfaction.
19. Works in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations and any workplace practices as directed by the employer.
20. Provides input for the recruitment and selection of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers for the Region.
21. Authorizes and manages staff vacation and overtime, maintaining adequate staff to support both winter and summer maintenance requirements with a priority to ensure aircraft are available to meet client needs.
22. Monitors and approves all WIN attendance applications for direct reports, i.e., attendance, vacation, merit increases, compensating time. Monitors sick time for all direct reports and implements the Attendance Support Program guidelines as necessary.
23. Ensures employees know their roles and responsibilities under the OHSA, and have job descriptions and performance development plans (PDPs) that reflect appropriate performance requirements.
24. Identifies any maintenance policy/procedure concerns/issues and formulates recommendations to the Chief Engineer.
25. Ensures that equipment, materials and protective devices are provided, maintained and used as required in the OHSA and Regulations.
26. Ensures a healthy and safe workplace is provided to employees through proactive hazard recognition, evaluation and control. Ensures that workers take precautions to protect the health and safety of themselves and others by complying with such acts, codes, policies, procedures or accepted workplace practices as may be appropriate.
27. Advises workers of any hazards, and any actual and potential danger in the workplace and the required precautions, of which the supervisor is aware.
28. Ensures that where work is not carried out by the ministry, the ministry recognizes and manages any health and safety duties as an owner, employer, or constructor as defined under the OHSA.
29. Responds in a timely manner to health and safety concerns raised by employees.
30. Conducts an initial investigation into a work refusal under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
31. Where appropriate in the circumstances, applies or recommends discipline up to and including dismissal, in response to safety infractions.
32. Considers health and safety in hiring decisions for positions with supervisory responsibilities.
33. Investigates work-related accidents.
34. Recommends training requirements for staff to Chief Engineer to ensure that staff are skilled to meet the needs of the maintenance program.
35. Will be required as necessary to lead the salvage or recovery of damaged or destroyed aircraft, usually from remote locations with little external support, relying on personal experience, knowledge and ingenuity to complete the task.

Knowledge :

1. Must possess a valid Transport Canada Aircraft Maintenance Licence endorsed as defined in the Class Standards.
2. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of Transport Canada Federal Canadian Aviation Regulations, Ministry Maintenance Policy and Procedures Manual, Aircraft Manufacturers manuals and Airworthiness Manuals, and their application.
3. Must possess a valid Restricted Radio Operator's Certificate-Aeronautical.
4. Must be able to obtain an Airport Security Clearance per Transport Canada requirements.
5. Must possess a valid Ontario class G Driver's Licence.
6. Must have the ability to meet the physical demands of the position.
7. Very good oral and written communication skills are required to interact with staff, clients and OMNR personnel, and to write reports.
8. Job requires the ability and willingness to work with a computerized maintenance system in order to follow the maintenance requirements for a diverse fleet of aircraft to ensure all tasks are completed within the regulatory time frames and maintain hard copy records.
9. Job requires thorough knowledge of proper function and expertise in repair and diagnosing defects in engines, flight systems, hydraulic systems, avionics systems, undercarriage systems and propulsion systems.
10. Job requires thorough knowledge of the precision tools, hand tools and sophisticated technical and diagnostic test equipment and related methods with advanced skills in their application.
11. Job requires the ability to work within and ensure direct reports work within the guidelines of OMNR policy and procedures.
12. Well developed skills to plan, organize, direct and coordinate human, financial and material resources in order to achieve a wide variety of customer driven program objectives and to supervise staff.
13. Must have thorough knowledge of aircraft and related systems to provide input into tender evaluations for aviation related goods and services and make recommendations for suitable vendors.
14. Must have thorough knowledge of aircraft and related systems to supervise, inspect and approve contracted maintenance services such as aircraft painting (10-150K per task), engine overhauls (100-250K) and component repairs.
15. Proven skills to interpret and analyze drawings, directives and manuals and provide technical direction to staff.
16. Demonstrated skills to organize work, set priorities and monitor progress, often in situations of high stress.
17. Job requires working knowledge of OMNR parts ordering, control process and associated budget processes.
18. Proven skills in problem identification and technical problem solving.
19. Ability to interpret and apply manufacturers and regulatory instructions.
20. Thorough knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to the work; knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace; familiar with the ministry work-related accident reporting process and the injury management strategy; knowledge of the MBS Health and Safety Directive and other corporate and ministry specific health and safety policies and programs.

Judgement :

The position works under the general direction of the Chief Engineer Maintenance Services (under minimal supervision as Chief Engineer is off site) and within applicable federal and provincial regulations, etc. Judgement is exercized in: supervising and ensuring the maintenance of a mixed fleet of high value, high profile aircraft; initiating action to identify and resolve technical problems safely including directing staff in this; planning, setting priorities for and scheduling a technically oriented team of engineers and reacting appropriately and promptly in stressful situations; investigating aircraft accidents, providing detailed summaries of findings in order to recommend technical policy and procedural changes; formulating recommendations to amend technical maintenance procedures based on own analysis of situations; technically analyzing and evaluating tenders.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for providing a properly, safely maintained fleet of aircraft, throughout the region, capable of meeting the requirements for the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Government. Accountable for planning, organizing and committing resources to all regional aircraft maintenance activities. Accountable for recommending changes to technical procedures, practices and standards. Ensure workers receive information and instruction to protect their health and safety, including task-specific direction related to the performance of their work; ensure that hazard controls are in place and used to effectively protect the worker. Legally responsible to Transport Canada for actions relating to aircraft maintenance.

Accountability – Personnel :

Provides leadership and supervision to the classified and unclassified Air Engineers throughout the region, as well as to contractors.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Responsible for the repair, maintenance and security of a diverse fleet of aircraft valued from 250K to 25 million dollars and associated spare parts, equipment and facilities. Position is also accountable for operating within the allocated maintenance budget (100K) by controlling expenditures, authorizing and approving staff travel and overtime claims. Approves all requests to purchase aircraft related parts up to 25k.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Failure to exercise good judgement in maintenance of the air fleet, such as ineffective interpretation and application of technical requirements and standards, could result in injury, loss of life and destruction of aircraft. Poor planning may impact programs causing excessive cost and program degradation. Failure to provide a healthy and safe workplace for employees could result in: work-related accidents or illnesses, higher WSIB claim costs for the organization, and the potential for Ministry of Labour orders or prosecutions.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with pilots and flight coordinators to maintain the program schedule; regular contact with Chief Engineer Maintenance Services for scheduling and special aircraft equipment requirements. Regular contact with head office Quality Assurance and Stores personnel. Regular contact with clients, providing technical and operational expertise for aircraft related services.

Contact - External :

Position has frequent contact with Transport Canada regulatory personnel, commercial air carriers, other ministries and aviation service industries, to exchange technical information, keep abreast of aviation/maintenance developments