As a Supervisor of Environmental Services within the Department of National Defence, you will lead and manage a team responsible for implementing environmental protection programs and ensuring compliance with federal environmental regulations. You will oversee daily operations related to environmental monitoring, waste management, pollution prevention, and sustainability initiatives across DND facilities and operations. Your role bridges operational requirements with environmental stewardship, ensuring that defence activities meet or exceed environmental standards while supporting the department's commitment to sustainable practices.
Your responsibilities will include supervising and evaluating staff performance, planning and coordinating environmental service activities, ensuring proper implementation of environmental policies and procedures, and liaising with external environmental agencies and regulatory bodies. You will also be responsible for budget management, resource allocation, identifying training needs for your team, and maintaining health and safety standards in environmental operations. You may oversee functions such as hazardous waste disposal, environmental compliance audits, spill response coordination, and the development of environmental management plans.
You will work in a dynamic federal environment where environmental considerations are increasingly integrated into defence operations. Your work environment may include office-based planning and administrative duties as well as field work at military installations, training facilities, or other DND sites. This role requires strong leadership skills, environmental knowledge, and the ability to balance operational demands with environmental protection objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily general environmental 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
Scientific methodology, Field research, Environmental assessment, Data interpretation, Regulatory compliance, 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 typically need a secondary school diploma or equivalent, with some positions requiring post-secondary education in environmental science, environmental management, occupational health and safety, or a related field. Many successful candidates hold credentials such as a diploma from a recognized environmental technician program or equivalent work experience in environmental services.
Professional certifications that strengthen your candidacy include credentials in environmental compliance, waste management, occupational health and safety (such as a Canadian JHSC certification), or environmental auditing. The Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) offers recognized environmental professional designations that are valued in this field.
Once hired, the federal Public Service provides ongoing professional development opportunities. You will have access to training in supervisory and management practices, environmental regulations and legislation, hazardous materials handling, emergency response procedures, and DND-specific environmental policies. The department supports participation in professional associations and encourages continuous learning to stay current with evolving environmental standards and best practices.
Entry Plans
Entry into this supervisory role typically occurs through several pathways within the federal Public Service. The most common route is through open competition advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank, where you can apply directly if you meet the specified qualifications and experience requirements.
Another pathway is internal advancement if you already work in the federal Public Service. Many Environmental Services Supervisors advance from Environmental Services Officer or technician-level positions within DND or other federal departments. This allows you to build environmental expertise and demonstrate supervisory potential before moving into a formal supervisory role.
Lateral moves from related federal positions in occupational health and safety, facility management, or regulatory compliance are also common entry points. Some candidates transition from provincial or municipal environmental services roles, bringing relevant experience that transfers well to the federal context.
DND also participates in student recruitment and development programs, including the Federal Student Work Experience Program and post-secondary recruitment initiatives, which can provide a pathway into permanent positions. Competitive processes typically assess your technical knowledge, supervisory capabilities, communication skills, and ability to manage competing priorities in a safety-conscious environment.
Part-Time Options
Part-time opportunities for Environmental Services Supervisors are limited, as supervisory roles typically require full-time commitment to effectively manage teams and ensure continuity of environmental compliance and operations. However, flexible work arrangements may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis depending on operational needs and departmental policy.
Remote work options are typically restricted for this position due to the need for on-site supervision and regular facility inspections. While some administrative and planning aspects of the role may be completed remotely, supervisors are generally expected to maintain a regular presence at their assigned location to oversee staff, respond to environmental incidents, and conduct site assessments.
Work schedules may include some flexibility in daily hours to accommodate operational requirements, and DND is increasingly supportive of work-life balance initiatives. Some supervisors may have access to compressed work weeks or flexible scheduling within the constraints of their operational responsibilities. Specific arrangements depend on the particular work location, team needs, and current collective agreement provisions. We recommend discussing accommodation options with the hiring manager during the recruitment process or with your manager once employed.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
