Property and Facilities Custodians play a vital role in maintaining Department of National Defence facilities and real property assets across Canada. These professionals are responsible for the day-to-day management, inspection, and coordination of building maintenance, custodial services, and facilities operations at military bases, offices, and specialized DND installations. You'll ensure that DND workplaces remain safe, clean, functional, and compliant with federal standards and regulations.
In this role, you'll oversee custodial staff, manage cleaning schedules, coordinate maintenance requests, and monitor facility conditions. Your responsibilities include tracking inventory, managing budgets for supplies and services, conducting inspections, and documenting maintenance issues. You'll also ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, environmental standards, and Treasury Board policies. You may work with external contractors and vendors to deliver specialized facility services.
Property and Facilities Custodians work in diverse environments, from administrative offices to technical facilities and operational bases. The work is practical and results-oriented, requiring attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. You'll interact regularly with facility users, management, and external service providers to ensure high standards of facility management.
Key Responsibilities
Manage property management activities for government real property, Coordinate maintenance, repairs, and capital projects, Ensure compliance with building codes and accessibility standards, Maintain property records and asset inventories
Required Skills
Property management, Building systems knowledge, Contract administration, Project coordination, Regulatory compliance, Technical proficiency, Attention to detail, Collaboration, Continuous learning
Typical Education
Post-secondary education or equivalent experience relevant to the position
Training
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent (Secondary V in Quebec). Many successful candidates have completed vocational training in facilities management, custodial services, or building maintenance through community colleges or apprenticeship programs. Some roles may prefer post-secondary certification in facilities management or related fields.
The Government of Canada provides on-the-job training to develop your expertise in DND-specific procedures, Treasury Board policies, and federal facility management standards. You may pursue professional certifications such as the Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) credential or the Canadian Facilities Management Association (CFMA) qualifications. Professional development opportunities include courses in budget management, supervisory skills, health and safety administration, and environmental compliance. Training is supported through the Public Service Learning Portal and DND professional development programs.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. Most commonly, positions are advertised through open competitions on the Government of Canada's official job board (jobs.gc.ca). The Department of National Defence periodically recruits Property and Facilities Custodians at various locations across the country.
If you're already working in the Public Service, you may be able to apply for these positions through internal competitions, which are sometimes available to current federal employees. Some candidates enter through lateral moves from related roles in facilities management, building operations, or custodial services within other federal departments or agencies.
Student and youth programs may also provide pathways: the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) and the Post-Secondary Recruitment Initiatives (including the Bilingual Executable (BE) stream for recent graduates) occasionally include opportunities in facilities management roles. Check jobs.gc.ca regularly for advertised competitions and subscribe to job alerts for DND and your preferred work location.
Part-Time Options
Part-time opportunities for Property and Facilities Custodians exist, particularly for custodial and support positions at various DND facilities. Many facilities operate extended hours, which creates scheduling flexibility for shift-based work. Some positions may offer flexible start and end times to accommodate facility operations requirements.
Remote work is limited for this role since the position requires a physical presence to inspect facilities, supervise staff, and respond to maintenance issues. However, administrative components of the role—such as scheduling, documentation, and communications—may occasionally be performed remotely or in a hybrid arrangement, depending on operational needs and supervisor approval.
Full-time permanent positions are the standard throughout the Department of National Defence. If you're interested in part-time work, inquire about availability when applying or contact the recruiting team at your preferred DND location. Flexibility and scheduling options vary by facility and operational requirements.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
