Job Description

Department: Natural Resources


Location: MILTON


Type of Employment: Seasonal


Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG


Closing Date: 26-Feb-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)


Hiring Pool
---------------



This posting will be used to establish a Hiring Pool for Seasonal, Temporary, and Casual employment opportunities on our Milton HWA Strike Team.


About Us
------------



Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources - including biodiversity, forests, geological resources, provincial parks, and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for the development, management, conservation, and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's Crown land. Together we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.



Find out more about the Department: https://novascotia.ca/natr/




About Our Opportunity
-------------------------



Under direction of the Supervisor of Forest Health, Fleet and Forest Protection the DNR HWA Strike Team Members will be responsible for assisting with key assessment and forest protection elements associated with a multi-year, multi-million-dollar, partner-based conservation project aimed at protecting high-priority hemlock stands from the hemlock woolly adelgid. This is a collaborative project supported by Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) through the Federal Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. The purpose of this funding stream is carbon accumulation and averting carbon loss, with biodiversity conservation as a co-benefit. Work priorities related to the protection of these hemlock stands will be set by a joint project management team comprised of an overall project coordinator, and managers from DNR, and NS Environment and Climate Change.



As a DNR HWA Strike Team Member, you will assist the DNR HWA Forestry Technicians to complete the pre-assessment surveys, treatment work, or other tasks assigned by the project lead or project assistant.


Primary Accountabilities
----------------------------



Some of the primary accountabilities of the NRR HWA Project Assistant will include the following:




• Use ArcGIS layers and software to navigate to and work within high-priority hemlock stands.
• Conduct pre-assessment field work:
• Assess and record hemlock composition and health, and the presence of hemlock woolly adelgid.
+ Identify areas/grids to be treated within eligible stands.
+ Mark and set up plots and trees to be used to assess treatment requirements and success.
• Assist with the application of chemical treatments in accordance with safe work practices, pesticide label instructions, and provincial and federal regulatory or legislative requirements.
Qualifications and Experience
---------------------------------



High school completion and 1 year related experience (such as forestry, wildlife, carpentry and vehicle maintenance) is required.



The successful candidate must have a basic understanding of forestry and forest management practices and principles and have or be able to obtain a provincial pesticide applicators certificate. They must be in good physical health to conduct the field work required, and possess good team, interpersonal and communication skills to work collaboratively with other strike team members, HWA partners, and volunteers. You must demonstrate a high degree of reliability and become an effective member of the team, capable of functioning independently at times. You will be required to properly follow all protocols for pesticide application according to label limits and department procedures



A valid driver's license is required.



We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.


Equivalency
---------------



Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.


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. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.


Working Conditions
----------------------



This is primarily a field-based position with some office and lab work as required; field work requires travel in department vehicles including aircraft to remote locations.


Additional Information
--------------------------



PLEASE NOTE: This is a hiring pool that will be used to fill upcoming seasonal, temporary and casual Forestry Technician 1(A)-(B) opportunities in our Milton office. The hiring pool with be used to fill four (4) positions as they become vacant. The season is expected to begin in April and end in November (6 months or more).




The seasonal status for this position is expected to be 6 months or more, however the actual status will depend on the start date of the successful candidate.


What We Offer
-----------------



• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.



Pay Grade: TE 11 - TE 14


Salary Range: $1,480.51 - $1,864.28 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.




This 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. PLEASE NOTE: 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.