As a Supervisor in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), you lead a team dedicated to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Defence and Climate Change employees across Department of National Defence (DND) operations. You are responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring occupational health and safety programs that comply with federal legislation and Treasury Board policies. Your work directly impacts the safety culture of your organization and helps prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical knowledge of OHS principles, and the ability to communicate safety requirements effectively across all organizational levels.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include conducting workplace inspections and hazard assessments, investigating incidents and near-misses, providing guidance on risk management, and ensuring compliance with the Canada Labour Code and other applicable regulations. You mentor and supervise OHS professionals and technicians, assign work, review performance, and provide coaching to develop team competencies. You also collaborate with management, workers' representatives, and joint health and safety committees to address workplace concerns and implement preventive measures. In addition, you may prepare reports, analyze safety data, and make recommendations for program improvements to senior leadership.
You work in a dynamic federal environment that spans military bases, office facilities, and operational sites. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in workplace safety while building leadership experience in the public service. Your decisions and oversight directly contribute to reducing workplace risks and creating safer working conditions for thousands of employees.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily occupational health and safety 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 supervisor position, you typically need a secondary school diploma or equivalent, combined with several years of progressive experience in occupational health and safety or a related field such as human resources, safety engineering, or industrial hygiene. Many candidates hold a post-secondary diploma or bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, environmental health and safety, or a related discipline, which can accelerate career progression.
Professional certifications strengthen your candidacy and are often expected at the supervisor level. These may include a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation, a Canadian Certified Safety Professional (CCSP) credential, or a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from a recognized Canadian institution. Transport Canada or provincial safety certifications may also be relevant depending on DND's operational needs.
Ongoing professional development is integral to this role. The Government of Canada supports learning opportunities such as advanced OHS management courses, leadership training for supervisors, incident investigation techniques, and specialized training in military occupational health considerations. You are encouraged to pursue credentials from professional bodies such as the Board of Canadian Certified Safety Professionals or similar organizations. Staying current with changes to federal labour legislation, Treasury Board directives, and emerging workplace hazards is essential to your success.
Entry Plans
Entry into this supervisor position within the federal Public Service typically occurs through one of several pathways. The most direct route is to apply for an advertised competition posted on the Government of Canada's Job Bank (jobs.gc.ca). DND regularly recruits for OHS supervisor positions; you can set up job alerts to be notified of new postings.
If you are already employed as a civilian in the federal Public Service, you may be eligible to apply for internal competitions, which sometimes offer advantages such as priority consideration. Additionally, lateral moves from related positions in human resources management, safety engineering, or risk management roles are common ways to transition into OHS supervision.
Students and recent graduates should explore the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or the Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign (PSRC) to gain initial federal experience in OHS-related roles. These programs can lead to subsequent permanent opportunities. Some candidates enter through term or casual positions within DND's OHS teams and transition to permanent supervisor roles as vacancies arise.
The Canadian Armed Forces also offers pathways for military personnel transitioning to civilian roles; if you are a veteran or releasing member with OHS experience or interest, you may be eligible for priority consideration in certain competitions. Regardless of your entry route, you will need to meet the education and experience criteria outlined in the competition posting and obtain a valid security clearance as required by DND.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work is available in some OHS supervisor positions within DND, though the availability varies depending on operational requirements and organizational needs. If part-time work is important to you, inquire about specific opportunities when reviewing job postings, as terms and conditions are normally specified in the competition announcement.
Flexible work arrangements, such as compressed work weeks or flexible start and end times, may be negotiated with your manager and are increasingly supported across the federal Public Service. However, supervisor roles often require a presence during standard business hours to oversee your team effectively and respond to workplace incidents, which may limit flexibility in some cases.
Remote or hybrid work options have expanded within the federal government following the pandemic. Depending on your duties and your organization's policy, you may have opportunities to work from home for administrative tasks such as report writing, data analysis, and planning. However, occupational health and safety supervisors must regularly conduct on-site workplace inspections and investigations, visit operational facilities, and be available for emergency response, which limits full-time remote work. Discuss specific flexibility options with your hiring manager during the recruitment process, as arrangements depend on your location, the needs of DND, and your team's structure. Work-life balance and employee well-being are values the federal government supports, and many supervisors find ways to balance operational demands with personal needs.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
