Conair is the largest, privately owned, fixed-wing aerial firefighting company in the world, operating a fleet of 70 specialized aircraft to fight forest fires. We have been supporting government agencies around the globe for over 50 years, with areputation of providing service excellence, making us an industry leader. We are aerospace engineering experts, creating 15 different airtanker types, converting hundreds of aircraft into airtankers. We are aviation maintenance experts, performing repair, maintenance and overhaul on our fleet. And we are operators, providing airtankers, crew and maintenance on contract over fire seasons to government agencies including Canada, the US, Australia and France. The culture at Conair is built on a teamwork, with a commitment to people, safety and service. We are proud of who we are, what we do and how we do it, protecting our world from wildfires.
The Director of Flight Operations is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of Conair’s aerial firefighting and specialty air operations under CARs 702 and 703. As a Transport Canada-approved position, the DFO leads all aspects of flight operations, including operational control, pilot standards, regulatory compliance, and coordination with maintenance, training, and safety.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Deep understanding of commercial aviation operations, specifically under CARs 702/703
• Working knowledge of flight safety systems, compliance monitoring, and regulatory requirements
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and develop team members
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong decision-making ability, especially in time-sensitive and high-pressure situations
• Familiarity with aerial firefighting, float operations, and seasonal deployment models
• Proficiency with operational tools such as Skytrac, IONode, and SMS/scheduling platforms

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience in commercial flight operations or equivalent PIC experience in aerial work or air taxi
• Professional Pilot License (CPL or ATPL); multi-engine and/or float ratings preferred
• Experience managing multi-base or seasonal operations
• Transport Canada approval (or ability to obtain) as Operations Manager (OM/DFO)
• Completion of Grade 12; post-secondary education in aviation or business is an asset
  *Must be legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian citizenship or permanent residency)

• Ensure full compliance with CARs 702/703 and other applicable Canadian Aviation Regulations.
• Exercise operational control in accordance with the Company Operations Manual.
• Manage and oversee daily flight operations and base activities across multiple sites.
• Develop and maintain the culture, structure, and roles within the Flight Operations group.
• Lead recruitment, training, performance management, and retention of all flight crew and departmental personnel.
• Coordinate operational planning, including fleet readiness, deployment strategies, and resource assignments.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Maintenance, Director of Safety/Quality, and Training Managers to ensure seamless operational execution.
• Liaise with Transport Canada regarding all matters related to regulatory compliance, AOC Operations Specifications, audits, and monitoring.
• Develop, maintain, and update all Flight Operations manuals, including the Operations Manual, Training Manual, and Minimum Equipment List (MEL).
• Monitor and manage the annual Flight Operations budget, ensuring adherence to approved fiscal limits and operational guidelines.
• Implement and support the Safety Management System (SMS), including fatigue risk management and flight/duty time tracking.
• Participate in and support operational risk assessments, emergency response protocols, and accident investigations as required.
• Supervise and assess the performance of the Chief Pilot and Flight Operations Coordinator, including decisions related to proficiency, promotion, upgrading, discipline, or termination.
• Support new business opportunities, including the integration of new aircraft types and the implementation of customer-driven strategies.