As a Supervisor in Human Resources Policy within the Department of National Defence, you will lead a team of HR professionals responsible for developing, implementing, and managing human resources policies and programs. You will play a critical role in shaping HR strategy, ensuring compliance with Treasury Board directives, and supporting organizational objectives across DND and the Canadian Armed Forces. This position bridges operational HR delivery and strategic policy development, requiring both management expertise and deep knowledge of federal human resources frameworks.
Your responsibilities will include supervising and mentoring HR staff, overseeing policy development and review cycles, ensuring policies align with Treasury Board standards and Canadian labour law, and providing expert advice to senior management on HR matters. You will manage timelines, budgets, and resources for your team while maintaining high-quality outputs that support decision-making at multiple organizational levels. You will also coordinate with other government departments and Treasury Board to stay current on evolving HR policy landscapes.
You will work in a professional office environment, typically at a DND headquarters location or regional office. This role requires strong communication skills, the ability to manage competing priorities, and comfort working with senior leadership. You will contribute to an organization with over 100,000 employees—military and civilian—making your policy work directly impactful to the workplace experiences of thousands.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily general human resources 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
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, 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 human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field. Many successful candidates hold a master's degree in human resources management, business administration, or public sector management. While not always mandatory, professional certifications such as Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) or membership in professional HR associations (such as the Canadian HR Professionals Association) are highly valued and demonstrate commitment to the field.
Once hired, you will participate in Treasury Board HR policy training, DND-specific orientation programs, and ongoing professional development through courses offered by the Canadian Public Service University, the Public Service School, and external institutions. The federal government supports continuing education and professional development, and many supervisors pursue advanced certifications or specialized training in areas like labour relations, compensation, or organizational design. You will also receive management and leadership training to develop supervisory skills, including team development, performance management, and conflict resolution.
Entry Plans
Entry to this position typically occurs through Public Service Commission (PSC) competitions open to Canadian citizens. Most competitions are advertised on the Government of Canada's job site (jobs.gc.ca) and are open to internal applicants (current federal public servants) and external applicants. Some competitions may be restricted to internal candidates if Treasury Board has approved internal-only recruitment.
Common pathways include: (1) External entry with relevant HR experience and education, competing in an open competition; (2) Promotion from an HR Advisor or HR Specialist role within DND or another federal department after gaining supervisory readiness; (3) Lateral movement from another federal department's HR function; (4) Graduate recruitment programs or development programs for those with master's degrees in HR-related fields. The PSC may also maintain inventories of qualified candidates from previous competitions to fill similar positions more quickly. If you are interested in this career path, gaining experience in HR policy, compliance, or advisory roles—either in government or the private sector—significantly strengthens your candidacy.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are available for this role, subject to operational requirements and approval by management. Many DND HR offices offer flexible hours, compressed work weeks, and remote work options, particularly for policy development and administrative work. However, because this is a supervisory position, some on-site presence is typically required for team management, meetings, and collaboration with colleagues.
Full remote work may be possible for portions of your week, depending on your team's location and DND's operational needs. The federal government is increasingly supportive of work-life balance, and arrangements are negotiated between you and your manager based on business requirements. Part-time permanent positions (typically 50% to 90% of full-time hours) may be available during recruitment, though many supervisory roles are posted as full-time. If part-time or flexible arrangements are important to you, these can be discussed during the hiring process or negotiated after appointment, within collective agreement provisions and operational constraints.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
