As an Electrical Foreman/woman in the Department of National Defence, you will supervise and coordinate electrical work on military installations, infrastructure projects, and equipment maintenance across Canada. You'll lead teams of electricians and electrical workers, ensuring projects meet safety standards, budgets, and timelines while maintaining the highest quality of workmanship. Your role is critical to keeping DND facilities operational and safe for military personnel and civilians alike.
Your responsibilities include planning work schedules, assigning tasks to team members, inspecting work quality, ensuring compliance with electrical codes and safety regulations, and reporting on project progress. You'll work with project managers, engineers, and other trades to coordinate complex electrical installations and repairs. This is a hands-on supervisory role where your technical expertise and leadership skills directly impact mission readiness and workplace safety.
You'll work in diverse environments including military bases, training facilities, administrative buildings, and field locations across Canada. The work is physically demanding and may require extended hours during emergency repairs or critical infrastructure projects. You'll need to be flexible and ready to adapt to changing priorities and conditions.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily electrical operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
Trade-specific technical skills, Equipment operation, Safety procedures, Blueprint reading, Physical dexterity, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To qualify for this position, you must hold a valid interprovincial Red Seal Electrician's certificate or equivalent provincial certification as a journeyperson electrician. You should have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience as a journeyperson electrician, with demonstrated experience in a supervisory or lead-hand capacity.
Education typically includes completion of an apprenticeship program (4-5 years) combining classroom instruction and on-the-job training, followed by interprovincial examinations. Some positions may require or prefer post-secondary trade certification or a diploma in electrical technology.
Once hired, you'll have access to Government of Canada professional development opportunities including supervisory training, project management courses, advanced electrical systems training, and safety certifications (such as confined space entry, fall protection, and electrical safety). DND supports continuous learning through workshops, online courses, and industry certifications to keep your skills current with evolving technologies and regulations.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career with DND through several pathways. Most positions are filled through competitive staffing processes advertised on the Public Service Commission (PSC) website and the DND Civilian Workforce Careers portal. You'll need to submit an application demonstrating your Red Seal certification, relevant work experience, and supervisory qualifications.
If you're already working in the federal Public Service as a journeyperson electrician, you may be able to apply for internal competitions or lateral moves into foreman/woman positions within DND or other government departments. Some positions may be filled through priority hiring processes for Canadian Armed Forces veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
For students or recent graduates of electrical apprenticeship programs, DND occasionally offers entry-level positions that can lead to supervisory roles as you gain experience and demonstrate leadership capability. Check the DND Civilian Workforce Careers website regularly for job postings and subscribe to notifications for Electrical Foreman/woman positions matching your location and availability preferences.
Part-Time Options
Electrical Foreman/woman positions are typically full-time roles, as supervisory responsibilities require consistent presence and availability for team leadership. However, depending on the specific location and operational needs, some flexibility may be negotiated.
Remote work is generally not applicable to this role, as you must be on-site to supervise teams, inspect work, coordinate with other trades, and respond to operational needs. Your presence at the work location is essential for safety oversight and project coordination.
When projects require extended or irregular hours—such as emergency repairs, infrastructure upgrades, or shift-based operations—you may work overtime or non-standard schedules. DND offers compensatory time-off or overtime pay in accordance with federal public service regulations. Some facilities operate 24/7, which may involve rotating shifts for supervisory coverage. Discuss scheduling flexibility with your hiring manager during the recruitment process, as arrangements can vary by location and operational requirements.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
