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As a graduate of New Brunswick Community College’s electronics engineering technology program, specializing in telecommunication, Denis says in his experience, the Company has been willing to give as many opportunities as he and his colleagues have been willing to give it, leading to many interesting and unique career paths.

Here’s how Denis leaves ordinary behind.

What is your role and how long have you been working at NAV CANADA?

I am a CNS Technologist Supervisor working out of NAV CANADA’s Halifax Maintenance Centre. I have been employed with the Company since August 2011.

How do you describe what you do for a living to your family and friends?

To become a technologist supervisor, I first needed to have some experience in the technologist’s role (Tech-1). So, for the first four years of my career at NAV CANADA, I maintained Communications, Navigations, Surveillance and Airport Security (CATSA) systems. Employees in the Tech-1 role make sure systems remain online for air traffic controllers to use for the safe and efficient flow of air traffic. We accomplish this by performing regular preventive maintenance on equipment and certifying critical parameters as per an established routine.

The next three years of my career were spent working as a technical operations coordinator (TOC). During that time, I was responsible for coordinating releases for technologists in the field with air traffic control operations. When a technologist needs to take a specific piece of equipment offline, we coordinate a release with the air traffic controllers who are using it. Once the air traffic controllers grant the release, we notify pilots that may be looking to use the service, which is done by publishing a notice to airmen (NOTAM).

Additionally, as a TOC, I monitored systems in our flight information region and coordinated with field technologists to respond to outages and aging systems.

In February 2018, I took on the role of supervisor at the Halifax Maintenance Centre. I am part of a team of technologists who are responsible for maintaining Nova Scotia’s CNS systems. We service equipment at five airports and more than 30 individual sites. My main responsibilities as a supervisor are to schedule work, be accountable for the maintenance program and the day-to-day CNS operations. In Halifax, my team and I provide 24/7 coverage for all NAV CANADA and airport security systems.

What attracted you to work at NAV CANADA?

I received my diploma in electronics engineering technology, specializing in telecommunication, from New Brunswick Community CollegeOpen a new window and the instructors spoke very highly of NAV CANADA. They would say things like, “if you get in with NAV CANADA, it’s for a career,” and “NAV CANADA is a very well-respected company across Canada.”

The program concludes with a senior project presentation where each student must build an electronic device from an idea to a fully functioning item. As part of this project, students are also required to present their projects along with a maintenance manual and defend/explain the reasons why they used certain components, the layout of traces on a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) board, calculated power consumption, and answer any questions the instructors feel like throwing at you (known by students as the “grilling period”). Representatives from NAV CANADA attend these sessions every year to speak with senior students about career opportunities.

As a student, these interactions and comments about NAV CANADA painted a clear picture in my mind of a company I might want to work for. As I finished my studies at college, I had been employed by the Canadian Forces for 12 years, but certain aspects of that career path were not in line with how I wanted to raise a family in my future. With NAV CANADA, I saw a path to a good wage and benefits and a schedule that allowed me to have time for my family. I am currently married with two young daughters and NAV CANADA continues to prove to me they are committed to employees’ work-life balance, which is the part I could not find with my military career.

What has surprised you about the career path you have chosen? 

The opportunities. For example, I would have never thought I would be featured in any career profile, but here I am, writing my story. When I started my career with NAV CANADA, I thought I would be based in Halifax forever, but opportunities for change came along and I’ve had the chance to work across the country, while growing professionally. In my experience, the Company has been very supportive of employees who want to expand their skills and they have offered many resources and support along the way.

How has COVID-19 impacted your work? How have you and your team adapted? 

My team and I work in technology, so adapting to COVID-19 was easy for our group. Certain documents were made available using different types of shared folders stored on central databases. We moved to using Teams and conference calls instead of round table discussions. It was a relatively smooth transition. The unknowns about the virus itself have been challenging as far as trying to maintain airport equipment. Like the rest of the world, we’re listening to the experts and government officials and learning how to reduce the risk of exposure. In the past, my team frequently travelled for work, so we’re working together to find new ways to keep our critical systems running smoothly, while keeping everyone safe.

What are some of your favourite things to do outside of work?

I love to golf and have been finding more time to play as my girls get older – for me, a golf retreat for the weekend is a pretty good way to recharge. When time is limited, simply playing guitar to some of my favourite songs for 10 minutes is enough to keep me going for the rest of the day.

My wife and I love travelling to Mexico, so when we can arrange it with the grandparents, the two of us head down south for a week to relax and recharge.

What is your biggest achievement to date?

Receiving my diploma in electronics engineering technology – telecommunication. The very first day of class, one of the instructors said forget about everything around you for the next two years and focus on your academics and you will be successful. I thought he was exaggerating, but to my surprise he was not. The program was very demanding and one of the hardest challenges I have faced. This has been my biggest achievement by far, considering where it has taken me.

What have you learned about yourself as your career progressed?

Things are not so black and white. I have learned to be more flexible and look at things from different perspectives. It can be challenging at times, but exploring the “grey zone” keeps me focused at improving myself and being a better leader for my team.