As a Supervisor - Real Property Design, you will lead a team of professionals responsible for planning, designing, and managing real property projects for the Department of National Defence. You will oversee the development of design solutions that meet operational requirements while ensuring compliance with federal standards, building codes, and sustainability objectives. Your team will work on a diverse portfolio of projects ranging from infrastructure upgrades to new facility construction at military bases and defence establishments across Canada.
Your key responsibilities include supervising and mentoring design staff, coordinating project timelines and budgets, liaising with stakeholders including military personnel and external contractors, and ensuring quality standards in all design deliverables. You will manage the technical aspects of real property design while also handling administrative duties such as performance reviews, workload allocation, and professional development of your team members. This role requires balancing operational demands with strategic planning to support DND's defence and security mission.
You will work in a collaborative environment within Defence Infrastructure and Services or similar DND branches, interacting regularly with project managers, engineers, architects, and senior leadership. The work combines technical expertise with people management, offering opportunities to influence how defence facilities are designed and developed across the country.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily real property design 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
Property management, Building systems knowledge, Contract administration, Project coordination, 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 post-secondary diploma or degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field such as real property management or environmental design. Many successful candidates hold bachelor's degrees in civil engineering, architectural technology, or construction administration. Professional certifications are beneficial and may include credentials from Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), Architects Licensing Authorities, or the Real Property Institute of Canada.
Once hired, you will have access to Government of Canada professional development programs including formal training in project management, leadership and supervision, federal procurement processes, and real property management frameworks. DND supports ongoing education to maintain professional certifications and offers internal courses on defence infrastructure priorities, sustainability standards, and emerging design technologies. Mentorship from senior leaders and participation in professional associations related to architecture and real property management are encouraged to maintain current knowledge in industry best practices.
Entry Plans
Entry to this supervisor-level position typically occurs through several pathways within the federal Public Service. The most common route is internal promotion or lateral movement from a related Real Property Design or similar technical role (such as Designer - Real Property or Technical Officer - Real Property) after demonstrating supervisory potential and meeting the required qualifications. DND regularly conducts competitions for supervisor positions when vacancies arise, and these are advertised on the Government of Canada's official jobs website (jobs.gc.ca).
If you are new to the federal Public Service, you may enter at a junior technical level through competitions for positions such as Designer - Real Property, and advance to the supervisor level after gaining experience and demonstrating leadership capability. Some candidates enter through student recruitment programs or post-secondary institution partnerships if they hold relevant credentials. Lateral transfers from other federal departments with equivalent experience in real property, infrastructure management, or related technical fields are also considered. Eligibility requires Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, a valid security clearance (often SECRET level for this role), and the ability to meet the stated education and experience requirements outlined in each specific competition notice.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work arrangements for the Supervisor - Real Property Design role are limited due to the supervisory and leadership responsibilities involved. However, some flexibility may be negotiable depending on operational needs and collective agreement provisions. Most positions are full-time, as supervisor roles require consistent presence for team management, stakeholder coordination, and project oversight.
Remote and flexible work options have expanded across the federal Public Service in recent years. Depending on the specific work location and management approval, you may have opportunities for hybrid arrangements where some administrative tasks, planning work, and virtual meetings can be performed from home, while site visits, team meetings, and client consultations typically require in-person attendance. The extent of flexibility will depend on your DND work location, project phase requirements, and departmental priorities. It is recommended to discuss flexible work options during the recruitment process or with your manager once hired, as arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis within Treasury Board guidelines.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
