Forest Protection Specialist (Environmental Analyst 1(A)-(B)2)

Nova Scotia; Shubenacadie; On-site; CAD 57,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health & dental

Vacation leave

Job summary

The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Forest Protection Specialist to provide scientific and technical support for wildfire risk assessment and management across the province. The role focuses on advanced data management, analysis, and project leadership within the Risk Services Unit.

You will work on developing and maintaining wildfire databases, supporting fire science programs, and advising on strategic decisions for provincial preparedness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with 2+ years of related experience, or equivalent
• Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS Pro) and spatial analysis tools
• Experience in database management, SQL, data integration, QA and records stewardship
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Strong project management and communication skills
• Ability to manage priorities across multiple projects
• Knowledge of wildland fire management and fire behavior science
• Wildfire operational experience (field, incident command, or weather monitoring)

Responsibilities

• Lead development and management of provincial wildfire databases and data systems
• Provide scientific and technical support for wildfire management and fire science programs
• Prepare reports, presentations and technical bulletins; develop training materials
• Coordinate and manage projects including field assessments and equipment testing
• Advise senior management on wildfire risk and provincial preparedness
• Oversee procurement for equipment, supplies, and services for wildfire programs
• Maintain provincial weather station network hardware and software
• Support operations at the Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre
• Engage in continuous learning and networking with fire behavior experts

Skills

GIS proficiency

SQL

Microsoft Office

Project management

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Survey123

Field Maps

ArcGIS Online/desktop

Python/R/C#

Job description

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Competition # : 50350

Department:Natural Resources

Location:SHUBENACADIE

Type of Employment:Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

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

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources – including biodiversity, forests, provincial parks and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the development, management, conservation and protection of forest, 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.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Risk Services, the Forest Protection Specialist is responsible for providing scientific and technical support to assess and manage wildfire hazards. This role involves advanced data management, analysis, and project management to support the development and implementation of specialized Fleet and Fire Management programs across the province.

The Forest Protection Specialist is a member of the Risk Services Unit, a group of highly dedicated professionals that evaluate risk and hazard management systems for wildfire disturbances. The Risk Services Unit addresses emerging wildfire issues that require advanced professional knowledge and technological solutions, encompassing a broader focus on prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Forest Protection Specialist, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the management and development of provincial wildfire databases and data systems, including database design, maintenance, integration, quality assurance, and stewardship of current and historical fire, fire weather, and related records.
• Providing scientific and technical expertise to support wildfire management and fire science programs across the province.
• Preparing reports, presentations, and technical bulletins; developing training and educational materials; providing expert advice to inform strategic fire management decision-making.
• Coordinating and managing projects, including field assessments and technical equipment testing.
• Advising senior management on strategic decisions regarding wildfire risk and provincial preparedness.
• Managing procurement for specialized equipment, supplies, and services required for provincial wildfire protection programs.
• Engaging in continuous learning and networking through reviewing technical publications, attending seminars, and connecting with fire behavior experts to stay current with evolving wildfire science and software.
• Assist in the maintenance of the provincial weather station network, including hardware, backend systems, and integrated software.
• Supporting operations at the Provincial Wildfire Coordination Centre.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 2 years of related experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable. Some examples of equivalences include a 2 year diploma + 4 years of relevant work experience or 6 years of work experience.

Other requirements include:

• Proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro) and spatial analysis tools.
• Demonstrated experience in database management and development, including relational database design, SQL, data integration, quality assurance, and stewardship of current and historical records.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (excel, word, outlook, etc)
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reports, presentations, and technical bulletins.
• Experience documenting and communicating results, procedures, and program deliverables.
• Ability to manage priorities and competing demands across multiple projects.
• Proven initiative, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supporting decision making and planning.
• Comprehensive knowledge of wildland fire management and advanced fire behavior science.
• Wildfire operational experience, including field-based suppression, incident command support, or fire weather monitoring.

Assets would include:

• Proficiency in utilizing data collection and mapping platforms, including Survey123, Field Maps, and the esri ArcGIS Online/desktop ecosystem.
• Applied programming experience (Python, R, or C#) to automate data collection, streamline workflows, and perform statistical analysis.
• The successful incumbent must exercise a high degree of independent judgement, decision making and initiative to provide data and information.

Equivalency

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

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. 

Working Conditions

Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

May be required to work overtime on occasion.

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: PR 10- PR 15

Salary Range: $2,483.63- $3,693.39Bi-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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons 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 [e-mail].

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. Where required, candidates must provide proof that they are legally entitled to work in Canada. 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 [e-mail] .