As a Director General - Horticulture, you lead a strategic business area focused on horticultural services and environmental stewardship across the Department of National Defence. You provide executive-level direction, policy development, and oversight for horticulture operations, maintenance standards, and sustainable landscaping practices on DND properties and installations. This senior leadership role involves managing budgets, coordinating with multiple departments and stakeholders, and ensuring horticultural services align with defence priorities and environmental commitments.
Your responsibilities include developing and implementing long-term horticultural strategies, managing specialized teams of horticulturists and grounds maintenance professionals, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and best practices. You serve as the principal advisor to senior defence leadership on horticultural matters, property management, and environmental sustainability initiatives related to landscaping and grounds. You also represent DND in discussions with other government departments, industry partners, and external organizations on horticultural standards and practices.
Working in this role means collaborating across military and civilian departments, managing complex multi-site operations, and balancing operational efficiency with environmental stewardship. You may work from a headquarters location with travel to various DND installations to oversee programs and meet with regional teams.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct horticulture research, monitoring, and analysis, Collect and interpret environmental or scientific data, Prepare technical reports and recommendations, Support regulatory compliance and stewardship programs
Required Skills
Scientific methodology, Field research, Environmental assessment, Data interpretation, Regulatory compliance, Relevant technical skills, Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving
Typical Education
Education and experience commensurate with the role requirements
Training
To qualify for this Director General position, you typically need a university degree in horticulture, landscape management, agriculture, environmental science, or a related field. Many successful candidates hold advanced qualifications such as a master's degree or specialized certifications in horticultural science, landscape architecture, or environmental management.
Professional certifications valued in this role may include Certified Horticulturist (C.H.) credentials, Professional Horticulturist designations through provincial or national associations, or certifications in sustainable landscape management. You should demonstrate extensive experience in horticultural operations, staff management, and strategic planning at progressively senior levels.
Ongoing professional development is encouraged and may include executive leadership training, advanced project management, environmental compliance and sustainability courses, and participation in professional horticultural and environmental associations. DND supports continuous learning through tuition reimbursement programs and access to federal government training initiatives.
Entry Plans
Entry to the Director General - Horticulture position typically occurs through a public service staffing process advertised on the Government of Canada jobs website (Jobs.gc.ca). These positions are competitive and usually require documented experience at the Executive Director or equivalent level within the federal public service or comparable organizations.
Common pathways include lateral moves from other Director General or Executive Director positions within DND or other federal departments, internal promotions for those serving in senior manager roles within horticultural or environmental services, and external recruitment of candidates with extensive private sector or academic experience in horticultural leadership and strategic management.
Candidates interested in this career should gain experience working progressively through horticultural or landscape management roles, obtain relevant certifications, and develop expertise in areas such as team leadership, budget management, policy development, and environmental sustainability. Networking within federal horticultural and environmental services communities and staying informed about DND priorities can improve your competitiveness for future opportunities.
Part-Time Options
Director General positions are full-time, permanent roles given the strategic and executive nature of the responsibilities. However, the federal public service offers flexible work arrangements that may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and management approval.
Depending on the specific organizational structure and duties, some flexibility in work location may be available, though this role typically requires regular headquarters presence for strategic decision-making and stakeholder engagement. Remote work options may apply for specific tasks such as policy development or strategic planning, but on-site presence will be necessary for site inspections, team meetings, and executive functions.
If you require flexible work arrangements due to personal circumstances, discuss possibilities with your manager and HR advisor during the hiring process or after appointment. The federal public service is committed to supporting employees with work-life balance while maintaining service delivery to the Department of National Defence.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
