As a Social Worker with the Department of National Defence, you provide essential support to Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families facing complex social, emotional, and personal challenges. You assess client needs, develop intervention plans, and connect people with appropriate resources and services. Your work directly improves the wellbeing and resilience of the military community, helping individuals navigate life transitions, mental health concerns, family issues, and reintegration challenges.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include conducting comprehensive assessments, providing individual and group counselling, coordinating with community partners, and advocating for clients' needs within military and civilian systems. You maintain detailed case records, participate in treatment planning meetings, and may provide crisis intervention support. You work in a fast-paced environment where your professional judgment and empathy make a tangible difference in people's lives.
Social Workers in DND are based at military establishments, veterans' centres, and community locations across Canada. You collaborate with military personnel, health professionals, peer support workers, and external agencies to deliver coordinated care. This role offers the unique opportunity to serve Canada's military community while making a meaningful impact on individual and family wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities
Provide social services services to clients and patients, Assess needs and develop treatment or service plans, Maintain accurate clinical and case records, Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver care
Required Skills
Clinical skills, Patient/client assessment, Empathy and communication, Record-keeping, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Technical proficiency, Attention to detail, Collaboration, Continuous learning
Typical Education
Post-secondary education or equivalent experience relevant to the position
Training
To qualify as a Social Worker with DND, you must hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Work (BSW) from a Canadian accredited program, or equivalent credentials. Many positions prefer or require a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW). Provincial or territorial social work registration or licensure is mandatory in most Canadian provinces and territories.
Once hired, you receive comprehensive orientation to military culture, DND policies, and the specific needs of the Armed Forces community. Professional development opportunities include specialized training in trauma-informed practice, military family dynamics, suicide prevention, and peer support coordination. DND supports ongoing professional development through conferences, workshops, and continuing education to maintain your social work credentials. You may also access training in specialized areas such as operational stress injury support or veteran transition services, depending on your work location.
Entry Plans
DND recruits Social Workers through open competitions posted on the Government of Canada Jobs website (jobs.gc.ca). These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Entry typically occurs at the CR-04 or CR-05 classification level, depending on your education and experience.
You can enter through several pathways: direct application to advertised positions, participation in recruitment pools for ongoing hiring needs, or lateral transfers if you are already employed in the federal Public Service. DND also participates in the Recruitment of Recent Graduates program for candidates with newly completed social work degrees. The application process includes a written assessment, interview, and verification of your social work credentials and security clearance eligibility. Some positions may require a valid criminal record check and medical assessment.
Part-Time Options
Social Worker positions at DND are primarily full-time, permanent roles. However, flexible work arrangements may be available depending on operational requirements and local management approval. Some positions offer the possibility of telework for administrative tasks, client documentation, and virtual counselling sessions, though in-person client contact is essential.
Part-time or casual Social Worker positions may be available seasonally or to address temporary staffing needs. Compressed work weeks or flexible scheduling may be negotiated in certain work locations to support work-life balance. Contact the specific DND establishment or Veterans Affairs office where you are applying to learn about flexibility options, as arrangements vary by location and program needs.
