Transcript
Neil Cristo
An aerodrome and air navigation safety inspector’s job entails ensuring that airports and heliports are safe, secure and environmentally responsible. My name is Neil Cristo and I'm a technical team lead for Aerodromes and Air Navigation at Transport Canada.
Trudy Nastiuk
I like knowing that the work that I do helps to keep people safe in my community and the country as well. My name is Trudy Nastiuk, I'm a civil aviation safety inspector with Aerodromes and Air Navigation. Part of my job is to do inspections of runway surfaces to make sure that they are clear and free of debris, to make sure that the markings on the runways, and that any required lighting is functional and that it's safe for pilots to land their aircraft.
Neil Cristo
There's a lot involved in preparing for an airport or heliport inspection. Previous inspection reports will be reviewed along with various airport manuals and procedures such as winter maintenance, emergency response planning and wildlife management. And after the inspections, the inspector will prepare an inspection report and send it to the airport for corrective action.
Trudy Nastiuk
We work directly with stakeholders in person, both within and external to government. So really being able to effectively communicate with people is important and to build those relationships. Really helping people understand what the rules are and how they can comply, and then making sure that they know what they need to do to correct those deficiencies as well. Really, it's all in the interest of public safety.
Neil Cristo
Inspectors should be able to work independently and use their own initiative. They need to have good analytical abilities in order to interpret the regulations and provide feedback to air operators.
Trudy Nastiuk
My background – I have 25 years of public service experience. I started out my career in safety and compliance on the road side of things. So, inspecting commercial vehicles, I worked at a weigh scale and inspected trucks, and then I moved on to transportation of dangerous goods. I was fortunate enough to be able to do some indigenous engagement on behalf of rail safety. And now I’ve been working in Aerodromes on the aviation side of things.
Neil Cristo
Prior to joining Transport Canada, I was in the Royal Canadian Air Force for about 18.5 years. During that time, I was primarily employed as an airport rescue firefighter. In 2015, I made the move to Transport Canada initially as a transportation of dangerous goods inspector. Once I was given the opportunity or opportunity arose, I transferred over to the Aerodromes Inspectorate as I felt that my previous experience as an airport firefighter, more aligned with that.
Trudy Nastiuk
In this role, one of the things that I really like is the fact that I get to be out in the field. I'm not stuck behind a computer all day or in the office. So, there's a good balance of being able to go out and then also going to the office and being able to collaborate and connect with my colleagues.
Neil Cristo
Inspectors also benefit from flexible work arrangements such as hybrid work and compressed work weeks. They have an index pension plan, a healthy work-life balance and the ability to plan inspections around family and personal schedules.
Trudy Nastiuk
I think we have excellent leadership and the frontline employees are awesome. I love the people that I work with, I would say that's the biggest benefit of working for Transport Canada. People are professional. They're extremely knowledgeable, there's lots of opportunities for learning and development.
Neil Cristo
I think what I like the most about my job is the ability to travel to some of the busiest and some of the most remote airports in Canada. The ability to meet people, those individuals that keep these airports running in some of the most hostile, austere conditions. It's a privilege.
Trudy Nastiuk
If you're considering a career in the public service, Transport Canada is an excellent employer.
Neil Cristo
The Aerodromes group really provides a really good challenge. It kind of demystifies the inner workings of an airport, and operating behind the scenes to ensure that the aviation system is safe and secure is definitely rewarding.