As a Supervisor of Emergency Medical Services with the Department of National Defence, you will lead and manage a team of paramedics and emergency medical technicians who provide critical pre-hospital emergency care to Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and eligible civilians. You will be responsible for ensuring your team delivers high-quality emergency medical services while maintaining strict adherence to clinical protocols, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. Your leadership will directly impact the health and readiness of the military community you serve.
In this supervisory role, you will oversee daily operations, coordinate emergency response activities, manage personnel scheduling, and ensure compliance with medical and occupational health and safety regulations. You will mentor your team members in clinical skills and professional development while maintaining detailed records of incidents, training, and service metrics. Working in military medical facilities, field stations, or mobile units, you will manage both routine operations and high-pressure emergency situations, often coordinating with other emergency services and military personnel.
You will work in a dynamic environment where your decisions affect operational readiness and personnel safety. Whether based at a major Canadian Forces Base, a remote posting, or a specialized medical facility, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to excellence in emergency medical care and military health services.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily emergency medical services operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
Clinical skills, Patient/client assessment, Empathy and communication, Record-keeping, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To qualify for this position, you must hold a current provincial or territorial paramedic certification at the Paramedic or Advanced Care Paramedic level, as recognized in Canada. A high school diploma or equivalent is required as a minimum education prerequisite. Many successful candidates hold post-secondary qualifications such as a diploma or degree in paramedic science, emergency medical services, or related health care fields.
Professional certifications you should maintain include current CPR certification, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), and trauma nursing core course (TNCC) or equivalent tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) training relevant to military operations. Upon joining DND, you will complete mandatory military orientation and security clearance requirements. The department provides ongoing professional development through military medical training, advanced supervisory leadership courses, and opportunities to maintain and upgrade your clinical certifications. Participation in continuing medical education and professional development is expected and supported throughout your career.
Entry Plans
Entry to this supervisory role typically occurs through competitive public service recruitment processes run by DND. You may enter through a priority-based internal competition if you are already working in the DND civilian workforce, including as a paramedic or emergency medical technician. External candidates with valid paramedic credentials and supervisory experience may apply when competitions are advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank and DND recruitment platforms.
Lateral moves into this position are possible if you are currently employed in a related supervisory or management role within the public service. DND may also conduct recruitment campaigns to build talent pools of qualified paramedics from which supervisory candidates can be identified for future advancement. Demonstrating supervisory experience, team leadership, and clinical excellence in previous roles will strengthen your candidacy. It is recommended that you monitor DND Civilian Workforce careers website and Government of Canada job postings regularly, as competition timelines and availability vary based on operational needs.
Part-Time Options
This supervisory position is typically a full-time, indeterminate or term-based appointment. However, DND recognizes the importance of work-life balance and may offer flexible work arrangements on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and supervisor approval. Part-time work is generally not available for supervisory positions due to the continuous nature of emergency medical services and the need for consistent leadership and presence.
Depending on your posting location and the specific unit's operational structure, you may have access to flexible scheduling arrangements such as compressed work weeks or adjusted start and end times, provided coverage and emergency response capabilities are maintained. Remote work is limited in this role due to the requirement to physically supervise field operations and manage emergency responses. Employees are encouraged to discuss individual circumstances with their hiring manager and HR business partner to explore any accommodations that align with both personal needs and operational demands. Shift work, including evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays, is typical for emergency medical services roles and should be expected in this position.
