As a Special Advisor in Legislative Services, you will provide expert guidance and support on legislative matters within the Department of National Defence. You will work closely with senior management and various departments to ensure compliance with federal legislation, analyze proposed laws and regulations, and advise on their implications for DND operations. Your role is essential in helping the organization navigate the complex legislative environment while maintaining alignment with government priorities.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include reviewing and interpreting legislation, preparing briefing materials for senior leaders, coordinating with Justice Canada and other government departments on legislative initiatives, and ensuring DND policies reflect current legal requirements. You will also track changes to legislation that affect defence operations and provide recommendations on how the department should respond to new regulatory requirements.
You will work in a collaborative environment within DND headquarters, interacting with legal teams, policy advisors, and operational staff. This role requires attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences. You may work on time-sensitive matters related to parliamentary proceedings and legislative changes.
Key Responsibilities
Provide legislative services support to departmental clients, Research and analyze legal issues and precedents, Draft legal opinions, contracts, and regulatory instruments, Advise on legal risks and compliance requirements
Post-secondary education or equivalent experience relevant to the position
Training
Successful candidates typically hold a diploma or degree in law, political science, public administration, or a related field. A law degree (JD or LLB) is an asset but not always required for this advisory position. You should have demonstrated knowledge of Canadian federal legislation, particularly as it relates to national defence.
Professional development opportunities within the Public Service include formal training in legislative analysis, government policy development, and administrative law. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Justice Canada frequently offer workshops on legislative interpretation and federal legislation processes. Many Special Advisors pursue or maintain membership with professional associations related to law or public administration. DND also supports employees in accessing training specific to defence policy and operations.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. The most common route is through an open competition process where the Department of National Defence advertises Special Advisor positions. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet the education and experience requirements.
If you are already a Public Service employee, you may apply for lateral moves or internal competitions. DND occasionally recruits through bridging mechanisms for recent post-secondary graduates or through talent pools that the Treasury Board maintains for administrative and professional positions. Some candidates enter through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or the Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign (PSRC), which can lead to permanent positions.
Experience in related roles—such as Legislative Assistant, Policy Analyst, or Legal Administrative Assistant—can strengthen your application. Demonstrating experience with legislative research, government procedures, or parliamentary affairs is valuable. Preference may be given to bilingual candidates (English and French), as this role may require drafting or reviewing bilingual legislative documents.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are available for Special Advisor positions in Legislative Services, though the availability depends on operational requirements. Given that this role may involve time-sensitive legislative matters and parliamentary deadlines, full-time work is often the standard. However, DND is committed to work-life balance and may accommodate flexible schedules where feasible.
Remote work options have become more common in the federal Public Service since 2020. Many legislative advisory functions can be performed from home, including document review, research, and draft preparation. However, some in-person attendance at DND headquarters may be required for meetings with senior management and inter-departmental coordination. Your specific work arrangement will be discussed during the recruitment and onboarding process and may be negotiated based on your circumstances and the needs of the organization.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
