As a Supervisor - Psychology with the Department of National Defence, you will lead a team of psychology professionals while maintaining your own clinical and research responsibilities. You will oversee the delivery of psychological services to Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and their families, ensuring evidence-based practices and high-quality care standards. Your role bridges clinical expertise with people management, requiring you to balance direct service provision with team leadership, resource management, and strategic planning.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include supervising and mentoring psychology staff, conducting psychological assessments and treatments, managing caseloads, and contributing to departmental mental health initiatives. You will work in military health facilities, operational environments, or headquarters settings, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including physicians, social workers, and military personnel. You may also participate in program development, policy implementation, and training activities that support the mental health and operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces.
This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of military-connected individuals while developing your leadership capabilities. You will work in a unique environment where psychological expertise directly supports national defence and security objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily psychology 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 a Supervisor - Psychology position, you must hold a master's degree or doctoral degree in psychology from a recognized institution. You must be a licensed or registered psychologist in your province or territory of employment, meeting all regulatory requirements for independent practice. Current membership in your provincial or territorial psychology regulatory body is mandatory.
Professional development is ongoing in this role. DND supports pursuit of specialized certifications such as trauma-informed care credentials, operational stress injury awareness, or other clinical specializations relevant to military populations. You may have opportunities to complete leadership and management training through the Public Service Learning and Development programs. Participation in continuing education, conferences, and professional associations (such as the Canadian Psychological Association) is encouraged to maintain expertise in military psychology and clinical best practices.
Entry Plans
Entry to the Supervisor - Psychology position typically occurs through several pathways within the federal Public Service. Most candidates are recruited through Public Service Commission competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website. These competitions may be open to external candidates or restricted to current federal public servants. Some positions are filled through internal selection processes when promotions occur within DND.
If you are already employed in the Public Service as a psychologist, you may apply for supervisor positions through internal promotions or lateral moves. External candidates with psychology credentials can apply to advertised competition processes. DND occasionally recruits through targeted recruitment initiatives or priority hiring programs for specific populations. Networking with DND human resources and staying informed about opportunities through the Government of Canada Jobs portal is advisable. Some candidates may enter the Public Service first as psychology professionals and advance to supervisory roles after demonstrating leadership potential and meeting organizational needs.
Part-Time Options
Supervisor - Psychology positions are typically full-time permanent roles due to the leadership and supervisory responsibilities required. However, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of work-life balance. Depending on operational requirements and departmental policy, some flexibility may be negotiated regarding work arrangements after appointment.
Remote work options may be available for administrative and clinical documentation tasks, though direct supervision of staff and client care usually require in-person presence. Part-time or job-shared supervisory positions are uncommon but may exist in specific circumstances. If flexible or part-time arrangements are important to you, these should be discussed during the recruitment and hiring process, as availability depends on the particular workplace, team structure, and operational needs of the posting. DND encourages employees to discuss accommodation requests and flexible work options with their managers and Human Resources representatives.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
