Jazz Aviation

by Heidi Riley

Jazz Aviation provides regional air service for customers of Air Canada and operates under the banner of Air Canada Express. Headquartered in Halifax, there are about 4,500 employees across the country. The main hubs are in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Many positions are available across the country, including:

• Administrative and Management Professionals: Corporate Safety, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, and more.
• Aircraft Maintenance: Apprentice and licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, as well as other positions that do not require previous training
• Customer Service Agents
• Aircraft Services: Aircraft Tow Operators and Ramp Attendants
• Dispatch/Operations: A System Operations Control team that includes Fight Dispatch, Load Planning, and Crew Scheduling
• Flight Attendants
• Pilots

Colleen Price, Recruitment Systems Administrator, started in her current role a few months ago. Prior to that she was a Corporate Recruiter for 10 years. She started with the company 26 years ago as a Flight Attendant with a predecessor airline, Air Nova.

Colleen’s career is an example of how someone can progress within the company. “We always look at internal applicants before looking at external applicants because we want to promote growth within the company.”

Hiring needs

“In Charlottetown, we hire Customer Service Agents (CSA) who work at the counter at the Charlottetown Airport,” says Colleen. “This is a permanent part-time position with a focus on customer service excellence. CSA duties include talking with customers, helping them check in, tagging their bags, making sure they are going to the right destination, and making sure people follow federal safety regulations. Much of the work is done on the computer.

“This position is classified as part-time, but it can include up to 40 hours a week. More shifts are usually available in the summer period, as there are typically more flights during the summer season.

“It is a unionized position where people bid on the shifts they would like to work, and then shifts are awarded based on seniority.

“Currently, shifts cover from 3 am to 1 am, pending no irregular operations, and can vary in length.

“We look for people who are friendly, personable, able to communicate with people, and are fast thinkers. The ability to speak French is an asset, but not a requirement.

“It can be a stressful job, and you need to be calm, be able to diffuse a situation, and listen and empathize with people whose flights have been delayed or cancelled, while also working with them to find solutions.”

Wages and benefits

Customer Service Agents start at $16.65 an hour. Part-time and full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and life insurance benefits. All employees have access to travel benefits across the Air Canada network within the first week of starting with Jazz.

“Most people start in this role in a part-time position, and when a full-time position opens, it is awarded based on seniority. There are senior lead positions at the airport, and within the company we have people who started here in Charlottetown and moved to other bases for different positions. Or they might start as a CSA and become a Flight Attendant. We have an agent in Moncton who is working on his pilot’s license. This position gives you a chance to learn about the airline industry.

“For students not sure of what they want to do, becoming a Pilot, Flight Attendant or Aircraft Maintenance Engineer are great careers to consider. These positions are sought-after and there is a high number of positions available.”