As a Director General in Geological Engineering, you will provide strategic leadership and executive direction for geological engineering programs, projects, and operations within the Department of National Defence. In this senior management role, you are responsible for developing policies, establishing priorities, and ensuring the delivery of geological engineering expertise that supports defence infrastructure, real estate management, and operational requirements across Canada and internationally. You will oversee teams of professional engineers and technical specialists, manage significant budgets, and serve as a principal advisor to senior defence leadership on geological and geotechnical matters affecting military facilities, operations, and strategic infrastructure. This position requires you to balance complex technical requirements with strategic defence objectives while maintaining the highest standards of professional engineering practice. Your work directly impacts the safety, sustainability, and operational readiness of DND facilities and defence operations.
Key Responsibilities
Perform geological engineering analysis, design, and review, Prepare technical specifications and engineering documents, Conduct inspections, assessments, and quality reviews, Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards
Education and experience commensurate with the role requirements
Training
To qualify for a Director General position in Geological Engineering, you typically need a professional designation as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or equivalent, with a minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in geological or geotechnical engineering, including at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership capacity. A bachelor's degree in geological engineering, geotechnical engineering, or a related engineering discipline is essential. Many candidates also hold a master's degree in engineering or a related field. Continuing professional development is expected throughout your career, including completion of senior executive development programs offered by the Canada School of Public Service and professional engineering associations. You should maintain active membership with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) or equivalent provincial regulatory bodies, and may pursue additional certifications in areas such as project management (PMP), quality management, or specialized geological engineering practices relevant to defence infrastructure.
Entry Plans
Entry to this Director General level typically occurs through a competitive selection process within the federal Public Service. Candidates usually progress through middle and senior management positions within DND or other federal departments before reaching Director General rank. Common entry pathways include: (1) internal competition from existing senior managers (Director or equivalent level) within DND or other government departments; (2) external recruitment competitions targeting senior engineers and managers from the private sector, academia, or other public sector organizations; (3) lateral moves from related executive positions in defence, engineering, or infrastructure management; (4) advancement through the Professional Engineer career stream. DND may also use executive talent pools to identify and develop high-potential managers for future Director General positions. All candidates must meet Treasury Board security clearance requirements, typically at the Secret level or higher, and possess Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
Part-Time Options
Director General positions in the federal Public Service are typically full-time, permanent roles due to the strategic and executive nature of the responsibilities. However, the Government of Canada does offer flexible work arrangements on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and manager approval. Options may include compressed work weeks, flexible hours, or periodic remote work for administrative and planning activities. Given the senior leadership role, some on-call availability and occasional evening or weekend work may be required for urgent operational matters, emergency response, or critical infrastructure issues. Telework opportunities have expanded across DND and may be negotiated as part of your work arrangement, particularly for office-based planning, analysis, and strategic activities. Part-time or job-sharing arrangements at the Director General level are uncommon in federal government but may be considered in exceptional circumstances. All flexible work arrangements must align with operational requirements and the needs of the department.
