As a Manager - General Labour and Trades in the Department of National Defence, you will lead and oversee teams of skilled tradespeople and general labour workers across DND facilities and operations. You are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing work activities while ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget. Your leadership ensures that maintenance, construction, and repair work meets Defence standards and supports operational readiness across Canada's defence infrastructure.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include supervising skilled trades personnel, coordinating work schedules and resource allocation, monitoring project progress and quality standards, and implementing health and safety protocols. You will liaise with other departments, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution and resolve operational challenges. You may manage multiple projects simultaneously, from facility maintenance to infrastructure upgrades, requiring strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
You will work in diverse environments including military bases, defence facilities, and construction sites across Canada. The role requires hands-on leadership, technical knowledge of construction and trades practices, and the ability to manage both personnel and complex projects in a structured, safety-conscious organization.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of general labour services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the general labour team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To qualify for this role, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with substantial experience in general labour, construction, or a skilled trade (usually 5+ years). Many successful candidates hold a Red Seal trade certification or equivalent provincial trade certification in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, or heavy equipment operation.
Once hired, DND provides comprehensive training including health and safety certification, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) training, and role-specific orientation to Defence operations and procedures. You may pursue additional professional development through the Canadian Armed Forces training programs, project management certifications, or supervisory development courses. The Public Service offers ongoing learning opportunities through GC Learn, professional associations, and specialized management training to support your career growth as a manager.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the Federal Public Service. The primary route is through open competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website (jobs.gc.ca) and the DND Civilian Recruitment Centre. These competitions assess your technical trade experience, supervisory capability, and management potential.
If you are already a DND civilian employee working as a skilled tradesperson or general labourer, you may apply for manager positions through internal competitions or advancement opportunities. Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members may have priority consideration and access to Veterans Hiring initiatives. Some positions may be filled through staffing pools created by Public Service Commission competitions, which allow qualified candidates to be appointed as positions become available.
Fresh graduates or those early in their careers should gain hands-on trade experience first, then progress to supervisory or management roles as openings arise. Student summer positions and cooperative education programs may also provide initial exposure to DND operations, though manager-level positions require established trade credentials and proven leadership experience.
Part-Time Options
Manager - General Labour and Trades positions are typically full-time roles requiring regular on-site presence at Defence facilities due to supervision and safety responsibilities. However, some administrative and planning components of the role may be conducted flexibly.
DND and the Federal Public Service offer work-life balance initiatives including flexible work arrangements where operationally feasible, compressed work weeks, and telework options for administrative tasks. The extent of flexibility depends on facility needs, project schedules, and collective agreement provisions. Managers in this role may have some flexibility in daily schedules to accommodate project requirements and team needs, though the supervisory nature of the work generally requires consistent on-site availability.
Part-time, job-shared, or term-based positions at the manager level are uncommon in this career path, as the role requires full-time leadership and accountability. However, casual or seasonal labour positions exist for those seeking part-time work in general labour categories before advancing to management roles.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
