Real Property Agreements Officers manage the contractual and legal aspects of real property transactions on behalf of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. You will negotiate, draft, and administer agreements related to the acquisition, disposal, leasing, and use of land and buildings across Canada and internationally. This role is essential to ensuring DND secures appropriate facilities to support military operations and defend Canadian sovereignty.
In this position, you will work with internal stakeholders including commanding officers, base commanders, and engineering teams, as well as external parties such as private landowners, real estate agents, municipalities, and legal counsel. Your responsibilities include conducting due diligence on properties, identifying legal risks, negotiating lease terms and purchase agreements, managing contract performance, and ensuring compliance with Treasury Board policies and the Financial Administration Act. You may also provide advice on real property matters to senior management and contribute to the development of departmental real property strategies.
You will typically work in a professional office environment at National Defence Headquarters or at regional real property offices across the country. The work is detail-oriented and deadline-driven, requiring strong analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple complex files simultaneously.
Key Responsibilities
Manage real property agreements 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
To qualify for this position, you typically need a secondary school diploma or equivalent. Many successful candidates hold a post-secondary credential in business administration, law, real estate, or a related field, though this is not always mandatory. The Government of Canada provides on-the-job training to develop your understanding of DND real property policies, procurement regulations, and federal contracting practices.
Once hired, you may pursue professional certifications such as the Real Estate Salesperson license (required in some provinces), the Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN) designation, or credentials from the National Association of REALTORS®. The Public Service Commission and DND also offer professional development courses in contract management, negotiation skills, financial administration, and project management. Continuing education in real property law and Treasury Board directives is encouraged throughout your career to maintain your expertise and advance to supervisory or specialist positions.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career in the federal Public Service through several pathways. The most common route is a Public Service Commission competition for the Real Property Agreements Officer classification level (typically AS-02 or AS-03 to start). These competitions are advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank and are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons.
The Public Service may also maintain recruitment pools or inventories of qualified candidates from previous competitions, which can accelerate the hiring process. If you are already employed in the Public Service, you may be able to apply for lateral transfers or internal competitions to move into this role from other departments or classifications. Some candidates enter through student work-study programs or the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), which can lead to indeterminate positions after graduation. Indigenous candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, as the Public Service is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Specific requirements and language proficiency (English and/or French) will be detailed in each competition notice.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are often available for Real Property Agreements Officer positions, depending on operational requirements and management approval. Many offices support flexible hours and compressed work weeks to help you balance professional and personal commitments.
Remote work options have expanded across the federal government, and DND civilian positions increasingly offer hybrid arrangements where you may work from home several days per week while maintaining required in-office time for meetings, file reviews, and stakeholder engagement. However, the extent of remote work flexibility may depend on your specific work location, the nature of your current projects, and your manager's discretion. Property site visits and in-person negotiations with external parties may require occasional travel. It is recommended that you discuss specific work arrangement options during the recruitment process and with your manager once hired, as these can vary by office and position level.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
