Real Property Portfolio Officers manage, maintain, and optimize the Department of National Defence's real property assets across Canada and internationally. You will be responsible for overseeing portfolios of military bases, training facilities, administrative buildings, and other Crown-owned properties. Your work ensures that DND properties are safe, compliant, efficient, and aligned with operational requirements.
In this role, you will analyze property performance data, coordinate maintenance and capital projects, manage leasing agreements, and work with internal stakeholders and external contractors. You will prepare reports for senior management, track budgets, and help identify opportunities to improve property utilization and reduce costs. You may also support real estate transactions, property acquisitions, or disposals as needed.
You will work in a collaborative environment within DND's Real Property Services branch, alongside engineers, project managers, and operations teams. The work is based in regional offices or headquarters locations, with occasional site visits to properties under management. You will use specialized software systems, databases, and reporting tools to track portfolio performance and support decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Manage real property portfolio 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 enter this career, you typically need a secondary school diploma or equivalent. Many successful candidates hold a post-secondary credential such as a diploma or degree in real estate, business administration, property management, or a related field. Some positions may prefer or require specific certifications in real property management, appraisal, or facility management.
Once hired, you will receive on-the-job training and orientation to DND's real property systems, policies, and procedures. The Government of Canada offers professional development courses in project management, financial management, and asset management. You may have the opportunity to pursue professional certifications such as those offered by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Association of Facility Managers (AFM). Ongoing learning is encouraged to stay current with real property best practices and federal procurement policies.
Entry Plans
You can enter the Real Property Portfolio Officer career through several pathways in the federal Public Service. Most commonly, positions are filled through open competitions advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank and the DND civilian careers website. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and other eligible candidates.
If you are already working in the federal Public Service, you may apply through internal competitions or lateral transfer opportunities. Some positions may be filled through recruitment pools maintained by DND's Real Property Services. The Canadian Armed Forces also offers student employment and co-op programs that can lead to permanent positions for eligible candidates. Preference may be given to veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian roles. Exact entry requirements and competition processes vary by position level and location.
Part-Time Options
Real Property Portfolio Officer positions are typically full-time permanent roles. However, the federal Public Service does support flexible work arrangements where operationally feasible. Depending on the specific position and DND operational needs, you may be able to negotiate flexible hours, compressed work weeks, or telework options for certain duties such as report writing, data analysis, and administrative tasks.
Some portfolio management activities—such as site inspections, stakeholder meetings, and project coordination—generally require in-person presence during regular business hours. Part-time or job-sharing arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis and would require approval from your manager and DND. Eligibility for flexible work options is determined during the hiring process and may be adjusted as operational requirements change. We encourage you to discuss flexibility options with the hiring manager when applying.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
