Job Description

Competition # : 37073

Department: Public Works

Location: Multiple Locations

Zone: 18 and 23

Type of Employment: Spare Classification

Union Status: CUPE - NSPG

Closing Date: 11/4/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Under Article 13 of the Collective Agreement between the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1867, the following opportunity is being posted.

Please quote the competition number and the Zone you are applying for as noted above on your application.

About Us

Maintaining our Provincial Infrastructure is no small job.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) supports Nova Scotia's 23,000 kilometers of roads and highways and 4,100 bridges.

If you enjoy operating Heavy Equipment, are looking for flexible work, and seeking your next opportunity where you will directly contribute to the safety of our province, we want to hear from you.

We are currently hiring for Spare Winter Equipment Operators in Hants County at the following bases: Milford (Zone 18), Noel (Zone 18) and Brooklyn (Zone 23). Work may be available at any of these locations.

This opportunity is for a spare position: this position has no guarantee of hours - successful candidates will be called on a when and as required basis and will be only paid for the hours that they work.

About Our Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to explore the many different careers our Department has to offer. When you begin your journey with DPW, you will attend a two-week, paid, training course which will provide you with the skills necessary for effective snow and ice control. After training, you will complete 45 hours of paid plowing experience with a designated mentor. A final driving test on a One-Person-Truck-Plow equipped with a front plow, a wing and salt controls will be required.

Primary Accountabilities

Under the direction of the Operations Supervisor, as a Spare Winter Equipment Operator, your role is primarily responsible for operating snow removal equipment such as snow-plows, graders, and loaders including the general maintenance of the equipment, pre-and-post trip inspections, and completion of daily logs. You may assist with construction and maintenance work such as maintaining signs, road surface repairs, general maintenance, and traffic control.

Qualifications and Experience

Some high school education plus 2 years of experience or an acceptable equivalency of education, training, and experience. Minimum of Class III license with air brake endorsement. Reading and writing skills are required to understand documentation relevant to this position and enable completion of department forms as required (such as daily logs, inspection reports, etc.).

The following will be considered assets:

• A Class I license
• Experience driving a manual transmission
• A professional driving course from a recognized truck driving training facility
• Training completed at any accredited heavy/commercial equipment training institute
• Knowledge of hydraulic systems and a mechanical aptitude
• Previous experience operating trucks with salt and plow equipment, and knowledge of salt spreading systems

You are flexible, self-motivated, and comfortable working in adverse weather conditions. As part of our team, you bring professionalism and hold a high standard for client service.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: practical driving test on a tandem truck, written examination, functional physical assessment, interview, and reference checks.

Working Conditions

You will be working in all types of weather conditions, environmental hazards, traffic conditions, occasional work performed in a mechanical environment occasioned by smoke and fumes. Expected to work in above normal noise, dust, and vibrations.

Additional Information

Candidates selected for a road test, interview and physical functional must be available to complete these in the local area at determined dates and times. Testing will be done on an automatic or manual transmission truck dependent on area requirements. You will also attend a two-week, paid, training course which will provide you with the skills necessary for effective snow and ice control, during the month of December.

After successful completion of all departmental training, you may be eligible to apply for a future opportunity on the Winter Wage Guarantee which is a guarantee of a minimum ninety (90) hours bi-weekly including a winter premium of $0.95 per hour.

Applicants who are unable to apply online are invited to stop by the local Area Office located at 4 Ivey Lane, Windsor to complete a paper application. Staff will be on site between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday to assist you. Please bring a current copy of your Drivers Abstract.

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: EQP OPER

Salary Range: $22.17 Hourly

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 CUPE local 1867 employees with a date of seniority. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to perform duties as necessary within their zone. 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. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Current employees may apply to this position through the following link:

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.