As a Manager of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in the Department of National Defence, you will lead, develop, and implement comprehensive health and safety programs across military and civilian workplaces. You will be responsible for establishing OHS policies, procedures, and standards that protect employees and contractors while ensuring compliance with federal legislation and Treasury Board directives. Your role bridges human resources management and operational safety, making you a key contributor to creating a safe and healthy work environment across DND.
In this position, you will manage a team of health and safety professionals and support staff, supervise investigations into incidents and near-misses, and provide expert advice to senior leadership on emerging workplace hazards and risk mitigation strategies. You will collaborate with multiple stakeholders including military commanders, civilian managers, union representatives, and external regulatory bodies such as Labour Canada and provincial health and safety authorities. Your decisions directly impact the well-being of thousands of DND employees and the operational readiness of Canadian Armed Forces units.
You will work in a dynamic, mission-focused environment where safety is integrated into all operations. Your work environment may include office-based administrative duties, site inspections at military bases and installations, and participation in emergency response planning. Travel to various DND locations across Canada may be required to conduct audits, training, and consultations.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of occupational health and safety services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the occupational health and safety team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, People management, Operational oversight, Quality assurance, Resource coordination
Typical Education
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To enter this role, you typically need a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, human resources management, engineering, or a related discipline. Equivalent work experience in occupational health and safety or human resources management may substitute for formal education. Most candidates hold professional certifications such as Certified Health and Safety Professional (CHSP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or equivalent provincial designations. Knowledge of the Canada Labour Code Part II, provincial occupational health and safety legislation, and federal workplace policies is essential.
The Government of Canada invests in continuous professional development for managers in this field. You will have access to specialized training in incident investigation techniques, hazard assessment and risk management, emergency preparedness, human factors in safety, and OHS leadership. Many managers pursue advanced certifications through the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) or similar bodies. DND also provides mandatory training in Defence governance, security protocols, and military culture to help civilian managers understand the unique environment in which they operate.
Entry Plans
Entry into the Manager - Occupational Health and Safety position typically occurs through federal Public Service recruitment processes. Most candidates enter via open competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Job Bank and internal DND portals, which are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons. These competitions assess your technical expertise, management experience, and ability to work in a defence environment.
Alternative pathways include lateral moves within DND or other federal departments if you already hold a management position in human resources, safety, or a related field. Some candidates enter through development officer programs or internal promotion pools if they have demonstrated strong performance in junior OHS or human resources roles. Student programs such as the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or Co-op Education programs can provide early exposure to OHS work in DND and create pathways to management positions. The specific entry level depends on your qualifications and experience; some managers enter at the Manager level directly, while others progress from Advisor or Specialist positions within occupational health and safety.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are available for this managerial position, depending on operational requirements and business needs. Many managers in this role work standard full-time hours (37.5 hours per week) from offices located at DND headquarters, regional commands, or major military installations. However, remote work options have expanded across the Government of Canada, and some administrative and planning duties may be performed from home with manager approval.
Job sharing arrangements may be available in some circumstances, though the nature of safety management—which sometimes requires rapid incident response and on-site presence—may limit flexibility compared to purely administrative roles. Any flexible work arrangement must be approved by your supervisor and will depend on the specific position and DND location. Shift work is not typical for this role, though on-call duties during emergency situations or major incidents may be required. We encourage you to discuss specific flexibility needs during the recruitment process, as accommodations can often be made to support work-life balance while meeting operational requirements.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
