Forest Health Specialist (Forestry Technician 2(A)-(B)-3)

Competition # : 49261  

Department: Natural Resources

Location: SHUBENACADIE

Type of Employment:Permanent

Union Status:  NSGEU - NSPG  

Closing Date: 12-Jul-26  (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

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 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.

For more information on the department view our website: https://novascotia.ca/natr

About Our Opportunity

As the Forest Health Specialist, you will develop, implement and evaluate field applications for the detection, understanding and management of forest insects and diseases throughout the province of Nova Scotia. This requires extensive knowledge in entomology for both domestic and foreign invasive insects and diseases including identification, survey methodologies, data collection, insect life histories, field applied research with a significant laboratory component and processing field collections.

Primary Accountabilities

As part of the Forest Protection team you will perform as one of the provincial fire duty officers in the Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre. This includes scheduled duty shifts throughout the wildfire season and setting aircraft alerts, dispatch of detection and suppression aircraft, fire equipment, fire personnel and for ensuring performance of daily fire control duties including the calculation and dissemination of provincial wildfire danger ratings to the appropriate agencies.

You will also:

• Maintain an extensive network and build professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders and clients.
• Be involved in outreach, education, and training delivery for various forest health courses as well as policy input and coordination with the goal of protecting Nova Scotia’s forests and keeping them healthy.
• Provide provincial level technical expertise in resource specialty to renewable resource program management and professionals.
• Organize and analyze information and data from field, literature, or expert surveys to inform program management decisions, including formal and informal production of technical reports.

Qualifications and Experience

You will have a department recognized two-year forestry or related Natural Resources Technical Diploma Program.

You are an excellent communicator (both in writing and verbally) and have demonstrated problem solving, time management, and organizational skills. This is a specialized position and you must be highly motivated with strong self initiative to produce accurate and reliable results

A valid NS driver's license (minimum Class 5) is required. This position covers all of Nova Scotia and requires a fair amount of travel. The successful candidate will be required to operate or travel in department vehicles, including off-road vehicles, helicopters, boats and equipment, work in remote areas and travel long distance on foot over rough terrain.

It would be considered an asset if you have:

• Previous forest pest experience
• Wildfire management experience
• Public speaking experience
• A strong working knowledge of GIS applications, GIS and data collection systems, word processing and spreadsheet programs\

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 Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click hereto learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Combination of office, field work and the processing of the collected samples in a lab facility. Field projects involve insects and temperature extremes. Travel via foot, department vehicles, boats and aircraft. 

Additional Information

There are currently two (2) permanent opportunities based out of Shubenacadie.

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.
• Mentorship through iNSpire: a new formal, interdepartmental mentorship program that connects employees so they can gain knowledge and experience to support their career development.
• countless career paths.
• Department specific flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade:TE 16 - TE 25  

Salary Range:  $1,905.03 - $3,182.69 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 Show email.

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. 

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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 Show email.