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.

About Our Prospect
We 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.

Primary Accountabilities

Fly New H‑125’s helicopters on mission‑critical provincial operations: wildfire suppression, longline operations, remote landings, public safety, and search and rescue

Operate in challenging VFR environments across forests, wetlands, and coastal terrain

Sling gear into tight LZs, drop buckets on active wildfires, and assist ground crews during high‑tempo missions





Respond to missing or lost persons requests, rescue injured citizens from remote areas and assist local law enforcement with fulfilling their duties

Collaborate with engineers, ground support, public safety officers, and conservation teams

Perform pre/post‑flight planning, documentation and compliance in accordance with CARs

Qualifications And Experience
You’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 be part of a tight‑knit team where skill, safety, and service take priority.

Required Qualifications

Valid Transport Canada CPL (H)

2,000+ hours PIC on helicopters, including 1,500+ hours on turbine helicopters

Recent experience in external load, wildfire suppression, cargo slinging, and remote and unprepared landing operations

Valid Category 1 Medical

Familiarity with CARs and safe bush operating practices

Nova Scotia Class 5 driver’s license or equivalent

Strong Assets

Time on Airbus AS350 / H-125

Current PPC on AS350B3E

Longline experience (100 ft and above)

CRM / PDM course completions





Knowledge 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 pressure

Aircraft based indoors, high dispatch reliability, and safety‑first culture

Compensation for overtime and on‑call

Be home most nights—even during the fire season

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.

Pay Grade
ASP08

Salary Range
$4,715.34 - $5,358.34 bi‑weekly

Employment Equity Statement
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under‑represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self‑identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].

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📌 Helicopter Pilot 3 (Nova Scotia)
🏢 Helicopter Jobs
📍 Nova Scotia