Winter Equipment Operators and Inverness North

Competition # : 49696

Department: Public Works

Location: Multiple Locations

Zone: 2 and 3

Type of Employment: Spare Classification

Union Status: CUPE - NSPG

Closing Date: 27-Sep-26 (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

We are currently hiring for Spare Winter Equipment Operators in Victoria County and Inverness North at the following bases:
Baddeck, Boularderie, Little Narrows, Cape North, Ingonish in Zone 2 and Strathlorne, Cheticamp, Pleasant Bay and Margaree in Zone
3. Work may be available at any of these locations. Please quote the competition number and the Zone(s) you are applying for as noted above on your application.

About Our Opportunity

Successful candidates will begin with two weeks of paid training designed to build the knowledge and skills required for effective snow and ice control operations. Following training, you will complete 45 hours of paid plowing experience under the guidance of an experienced Operator. Candidates must also successfully complete a driving assessment using a one-person-truck-plow equipped with a front plow, wing, and salt controls.

This is a spare position, and hours of work are not guaranteed. Employees are called in as operational needs require. There may be an opportunity to participate in the Winter Wage Guarantee, which provides guaranteed work for a minimum of two weeks and may continue for the duration of the winter season.

If placed on the Winter Wage Guarantee, the following will apply:

• Guaranteed 90 hours of pay every two weeks

• $0.95/per hour premium

• Opportunities for overtime

• Scheduled days off (2 days bi-weekly)

You are responsible for operating snow removal equipment such as snowplows, graders, and loaders. This includes general maintenance of the equipment, pre-and-post trip inspections, and daily logs. You may also be required to perform other work, such as maintaining signs, road surface repairs and traffic control.

Qualifications and Experience

Two years of experience or an acceptable equivalent of education, training, and relevant experience.

Minimum of Class III license with air brake endorsement.

Reading and writing skills are required to understand department documentation and to complete daily logs, inspection reports, etc.

The following is not required but considered helpful:

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

You are flexible, self-motivated, and comfortable working in all weather conditions. You are respectful and understand the value of good customer service. You will be working around environmental hazards, various traffic conditions and occasional work performed in a mechanical environment.

Additional Information

Applicants who are unable to apply online are invited to stop by the local Area Office located at 6 Jessica Wong Lane, Baddeck 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.

Candidates selected for a road test, interview and a physical must be available to complete these in the local area at determined dates and times. Testing will be done on an automatic or manual…