As a Supervisor in Geology with the Department of National Defence, you will lead a team of geoscientists and geology technicians while contributing directly to defence and security operations. You'll be responsible for managing geological investigations, research projects, and technical assessments that support military infrastructure, environmental management, and operational planning. Your expertise in geology will be applied to real-world challenges including site assessments, geological hazard analysis, and resource evaluation across Canadian Defence establishments and operations. In this supervisory role, you'll combine technical geology knowledge with people management, ensuring your team delivers high-quality geological services that meet Defence objectives. You'll work in a dynamic environment where your decisions directly impact operational readiness and infrastructure sustainability. Your work environment may include office-based research and analysis, field work at Defence sites across Canada and potentially internationally, and collaboration with military planners, engineers, and external government agencies.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily geology 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
Research design, Statistical analysis, Laboratory techniques, Scientific writing, Data interpretation, 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 bachelor's degree in geology, geoscience, or a closely related earth science discipline from a Canadian university or equivalent. Many successful candidates hold a master's degree in geology or specialized fields such as engineering geology, hydrogeology, or environmental geoscience. Professional certification as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) through Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) or equivalent provincial bodies is highly valued and may be required depending on the specific position. You should have demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience, either in geology-related work or through progressive responsibility in technical roles. The Department provides ongoing professional development opportunities, including access to specialized training in Defence-specific geology applications, security protocols, and advanced supervisory skills. You're encouraged to maintain your professional credentials and pursue continuing education through professional associations such as the Geological Association of Canada.
Entry Plans
Entry to this supervisor-level position in the DND civilian workforce typically occurs through public competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website. Candidates may apply directly if they have the required education, geology experience, and demonstrated supervisory capabilities. Lateral movement from geology technician, geoscientist, or related technical positions within the Defence organization is a common pathway, particularly for those who have developed strong technical expertise and shown leadership potential. Some positions may be filled through priority consideration for current federal public service employees. Student and early-career geoscientists can enter the Defence workforce at lower classification levels (such as Geology Technician or Junior Geoscientist) through student work programs or entry-level competitions, positioning themselves for advancement to supervisory roles. Bridging programs and internal development initiatives may also be available for promising technical staff. The specific entry mechanism depends on the position classification, organizational needs, and competition results.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are available for supervisor-level positions in geology, though availability depends on operational requirements and team structure. Many geology supervisors work full-time to effectively manage their teams and coordinate complex projects, but flexible scheduling options such as compressed work weeks or adjusted start times may be negotiated based on Defence priorities and team needs. Remote work is possible for certain aspects of the role, particularly office-based research, analysis, report writing, and administrative supervision. However, field work at Defence sites and in-person team management typically require on-site presence. The extent of remote work flexibility varies by location and specific assignment within DND. Job sharing arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Interested candidates should discuss specific work arrangement options during the recruitment process, as supervisory responsibilities and operational demands will ultimately determine what flexibility is sustainable in any given position.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
