As a Director General - Fire Prevention, you lead a strategic function that protects Department of National Defence (DND) personnel, assets, and infrastructure from fire hazards. In this senior executive role, you direct comprehensive fire prevention programs across multiple DND facilities and operations, ensuring compliance with federal fire codes, safety regulations, and departmental standards. You provide expert guidance on fire prevention policies, risk assessment methodologies, and emergency preparedness initiatives that safeguard Canada's defence capabilities.
Your responsibilities include overseeing fire prevention teams, managing budgets and resources, developing and implementing fire safety strategies, and liaising with other government departments, provincial authorities, and external fire services. You analyze emerging fire risks, recommend prevention measures, and ensure all DND locations maintain the highest fire safety standards. You also champion a culture of fire safety awareness across the organization through training programs, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.
You will work in a dynamic environment where your decisions directly impact operational readiness and personnel safety. This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex, multi-site programs while maintaining detailed compliance documentation. You'll collaborate with military commanders, civilian managers, and external safety partners to integrate fire prevention into all DND activities.
Key Responsibilities
Perform fire prevention duties supporting public safety and security, Conduct assessments, investigations, and monitoring activities, Enforce regulations and respond to incidents, Prepare reports and maintain operational records
Education and experience commensurate with the role requirements
Training
To qualify for this Director General position, you typically need a university degree in fire science, engineering, public safety management, or a related field. Many successful candidates hold professional certifications such as Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation, or equivalent credentials recognized by fire safety professional bodies. You should have demonstrated expertise in fire codes, building standards, risk assessment, and emergency management.
Professional development is ongoing throughout your career. DND supports attendance at advanced fire prevention conferences, participation in inter-agency working groups, and completion of executive leadership programs through the Canada School of Public Service. Many Director Generals pursue additional qualifications in strategic management, change leadership, or specialized areas such as hazardous materials handling or industrial fire protection. Membership in professional associations like the Fire Protection Association of Canada helps you stay current with evolving standards and best practices.
Entry Plans
Entry to this Director General level typically occurs through competitive recruitment processes posted on the Public Service Commission (PSC) website and the Government of Canada Jobs portal. Candidates usually progress through the fire prevention career stream, starting at lower classification levels (such as Fire Prevention Officer or Senior Fire Prevention Officer) and advancing through demonstrated performance and expanded responsibilities.
You may enter as a lateral move from other federal departments, provincial fire services, or the Canadian Armed Forces if you have equivalent senior management experience and fire safety expertise. Some candidates advance internally after several years managing fire prevention programs at DND facilities. The PSC may also establish recruitment pools for senior executive positions to streamline hiring for multiple vacancies across the Public Service. Student or early-career recruitment programs are typically entry points for the fire prevention profession itself; progression to Director General level requires 10-15+ years of progressive experience in fire safety and management roles.
Part-Time Options
Director General positions are primarily full-time, permanent roles given the strategic and continuous nature of fire safety oversight. However, the Government of Canada recognizes work-life balance needs, and flexible arrangements may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis depending on operational requirements and collective agreement provisions.
Remote work options are limited due to the need for on-site presence during facility inspections, emergency response coordination, and stakeholder meetings at DND locations. However, some administrative and planning work may be completed remotely. Part-time work at the Director General level is uncommon but not impossible; any such arrangement would require departmental approval and would adjust salary and benefits proportionally. We encourage candidates to discuss specific work arrangements during the recruitment process or after hiring with their manager and Human Resources advisor.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
