Port Hawkesbury Paper is a forward-looking natural resources company committed to operating at the highest safety standard while caring for the environment and empowering our people to deliver top-quality products & customer service. We see integrity at the core of every relationship and a key principle as we strive for excellence in all we do in an ever-changing world. As a relatively small, non-hierarchical organization, we deliver big results with no red tape. We are a leader in Thermal Mechanical Pulp and Supercalendered paper production in North America. Port Hawkesbury Paper’s approach to business and environmental sustainability creates an economic cornerstone for eastern Nova Scotia.
Scroll to view the following open positions:
- Forestry Summer Students
- Purchasing Manager
- Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- Instrumentation Technician/Technologist
- Electrical Technologist
Forestry Summer Students
Port Hawkesbury Paper is currently seeking individuals for summer employment opportunities to assist with various projects within our Woodlands unit. Flexible Work term: May 4 to August 28, 2026 (18 weeks)
As the largest Crown license manager in Nova Scotia, the PHP Woodlands Unit team is directly responsible for the forest management and sustainability of more than 500,000 hectares of forested lands and plays a significant role in private land forest management in Eastern Nova Scotia. Port Hawkesbury Paper also holds several environmental certifications.
What we offer:
As a summer employee with PHP, you can apply the skills and knowledge from your education, plus add to that the new skills you will learn here on the job! There are a variety of experiences you may be involved with, which include:
Silviculture
- Regeneration & plantation surveys
- Plantation quality assessments
- Pre-harvest assessments
- Sampling spacing and manual weeding sites
Harvesting
- Harvesting supervision audits
- Road construction
- Bridge installation
While working in this position, you will be involved in a combination of fieldwork where you stay challenged, getting your boots dirty and your mind active on problem-solving challenges that come your way. Combine this with the office side, where you learn how to use the programs needed to run a Woodlands department. You will have the opportunity to work with experienced professionals who will provide you with training, as well as other students, to apply your new skills and share experiences.
The work area includes the seven eastern counties of Nova Scotia, extending from the easternmost tip of Cape Breton Island to the eastern mainland. You can experience a variety of forest and eco types from the Boreal Forest to the Acadian Forests of Nova Scotia.
What you bring:
- A high focus on safety
- Motivated TEAM player with a strong work ethic and attention to detail
- Ability to work alone in the woods
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Valid driver’s license
While not working, you can hike and bike many trails, kayak or canoe waterways, swim at the many sandy beaches, visit several historic parks like Louisbourg, or go camping in the famous Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Enjoy the many festivals and events unique to each of the small communities in the area and larger centers like New Glasgow, Antigonish, Sydney and Port Hawkesbury.
Qualified applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at HR@porthawkesburypaper.com on or before November 23, 2025. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
Port Hawkesbury Paper is currently seeking a Millwright or Millwright Apprentice to join our Maintenance team. This position reports to the Maintenance Supervisor and is responsible for the preventative maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of production equipment and plant systems.
Responsibilities:
- Equipment installation (pumps, motors, gearboxes, paper machine rolls etc.)
- Changing hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, hoses, pumps etc.
- Replacing and tracking conveyor belts
- Troubleshooting and diagnosing problems
- Using CMMS to find/order parts, provide detailed feedback on work orders
- Willing to work overtime, after-hours call-ins and shift work as needed
Skills/Competency Requirements:
- Ability to work safely as part of a team
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced work setting
- Attention to detail and takes pride in quality workmanship
- Knowledge of the alignment of machinery and the use of laser alignment equipment
- Strong problem-solving and communication abilities
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Proficient computer skills. Experience using a CMMS is considered an asset
Experience/Education Requirements:
- Millwright Certificate of Trade – Red Seal or Apprenticeship
- Experience in maintenance is preferred
- Recent Millwright experience in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment
- Welding and machining experience is considered an asset
- Proficiency in hydraulic and pneumatic troubleshooting is also considered an asset
Compensation:
Pay rate per Collective Agreement. Port Hawkesbury Paper offers competitive compensation with a comprehensive benefits package, and a challenging, rewarding work environment.
To be considered, please apply by sending your resume and cover letter to HR@porthawkesburypaper.com on or before November 30, 2025. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
Instrumentation Technician/Technologist
Port Hawkesbury Paper is currently seeking a skilled and motivated individual to join our Maintenance team. This position reports to the Electrical and Instrumentation Supervisor and is responsible for the preventative maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of production equipment and plant systems.
Responsibilities:
- Troubleshooting & making changes in DCS & PLC systems
- Changing out & overhauling control valves
- Installation/change-out of positioners and actuators on valves
- Changing & calibrating transmitters, hydraulic valves and setting up hydraulic pumps
- Willing to work shiftwork, overtime and after-hours call-ins as needed
Experience/Education Requirements:
- Electrical Engineering Technology (Instrumentation and Controls) background and/or Red Seal Instrumentation
- Strong skills in Hydraulics
- A minimum of 5 years of recent experience in an industrial manufacturing environment is recommended
- Experience with troubleshooting and maintenance in an industrial setting
- Ability to read and understand P&IDs, pneumatics, hydraulics and electrical schematics
Skills/Competency Requirements:
- Ability to work safely as part of a team
- Capable of performing in a highly technical and flexible work environment
- Knowledgeable and experienced with troubleshooting complex hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Experience using DCS/PLC systems
- Effective organizational and time management skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Highly motivated, confident in decision-making ability and self-driven
- Strong communication skills
Compensation: Pay rate per Collective Agreement. Port Hawkesbury Paper offers competitive compensation with a comprehensive benefits package, and a challenging, rewarding work environment.
Our HR team is actively recruiting for this role. To be considered, please apply by sending your resume and cover letter to HR@porthawkesburypaper.com. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. Selected candidates will proceed through an assessment and interview process.
Electrical Technologist
Port Hawkesbury Paper is currently seeking a skilled and motivated individual to join our Maintenance team. This position reports to the Electrical and Instrumentation Supervisor and is responsible for the preventative maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of production equipment and plant systems.
Responsibilities:
- Troubleshooting & replacing electrical equipment such as motors, transformers and VFDs
- Troubleshooting & replacing components in PLC & DCS systems
- Troubleshooting & installing field devices such as limit switches, transmitters
- Repairing & replacing lighting throughout the plant
- Testing for electrical isolation for operations and maintenance lockouts
- Prioritizing and responding to calls from different operating departments
- Willing to work shiftwork, overtime and after-hours call-ins as needed
Experience/Education Requirements:
- Electrical Engineering Technology (Instrumentation and Controls) background
- Red Seal Electrical is considered an asset
- A minimum of 8 years of recent experience in an industrial manufacturing environment is recommended
- Experience with troubleshooting and maintenance in an industrial setting
- Experience with understanding existing programs and making changes in DCS & PLC
- Ability to read and understand P&IDs, pneumatics, hydraulics and electrical schematics
- Experience troubleshooting & installing 600VAC motor circuits and VFDs
Skills/Competency Requirements:
- Ability to work safely as part of a team
- Capable of performing in a highly technical and flexible work environment
- Knowledgeable and experienced with troubleshooting complex controls using DCS/PLC systems
- Effective organizational and time management skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities for dealing with both electrical and mechanical equipment
- Highly motivated, confident in decision-making ability and self-driven
- Strong communication skills
Compensation: Pay rate per Collective Agreement. Port Hawkesbury Paper offers competitive compensation with a comprehensive benefits package, and a challenging, rewarding work environment.
Our HR team is actively recruiting for this role. To be considered, please apply by sending your resume and cover letter to HR@porthawkesburypaper.com. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. Selected candidates will proceed through an assessment and interview process.
Trucking & Harvesting Contractors
Port Hawkesbury Paper is hiring trucking and harvesting contractors to work in our forest management area of Cape Breton and eastern mainland Nova Scotia. To enquire more about job opportunities with PHP, please email us at phpwoodlands@porthawkesburypaper.com.
At Port Hawkesbury Paper, diversity means understanding, recognizing, and valuing the differences that make each person unique. We see inclusion as an essential part of our productivity, creativity, innovation, and competitive advantage. We strive for a fair and equitable recruitment process, where hiring decisions are based on the qualifications and experience of each applicant.
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