As a Manager - Heat Plant, you play a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable heating operations across Department of National Defence facilities. You oversee the day-to-day management of heat plant operations, supervising technicians and trades personnel while maintaining compliance with safety regulations, environmental standards, and operational protocols. Your leadership ensures that heating systems serving military bases, offices, and infrastructure operate at peak performance, supporting the mission-critical work of the Canadian Armed Forces and DND civilian staff.
In this role, you are responsible for planning and scheduling maintenance activities, managing budgets, monitoring equipment performance, and implementing improvements to operational efficiency. You work closely with facility managers, engineering teams, and external contractors to troubleshoot problems, coordinate repairs, and optimize energy consumption. Your technical knowledge combined with strong management skills enables you to mentor your team, ensure workplace safety, and drive continuous operational improvement.
You work in a dynamic facility environment that may include shift work, on-call responsibilities, and exposure to mechanical equipment and industrial processes. This is a hands-on leadership position where you balance administrative duties with technical oversight, requiring both office time and time spent on the plant floor.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of heat plant services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the heat plant team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To succeed as a Manager - Heat Plant, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with several years of hands-on experience in heat plant operations or a related mechanical trade. Many candidates hold trade certifications such as Stationary Engineer, Boiler Operator, or HVAC Technician credentials from a provincial trades authority.
Professional development is ongoing throughout your career. The Government of Canada provides training in leadership and management practices, safety protocols, and equipment-specific certifications. You may pursue advanced certifications in boiler operation, energy management systems, or facility management depending on your career goals. Many managers also complete courses in budget management, supervisory skills, and environmental compliance standards specific to federal operations.
Entry Plans
Entry into the Manager - Heat Plant position typically occurs through:
• Internal Competitions: Current DND employees in heat plant operations or related trades can apply for manager positions when competitions are posted. This is a common pathway for experienced technicians seeking advancement.
• Public Service Staffing: External candidates with relevant experience may apply through open competitions posted on the Government of Canada Jobs website. These competitions are held when positions become available across DND facilities.
• Lateral Moves: Experienced facility or plant managers from other federal departments may transition into this role, bringing transferable management and technical expertise.
• Apprenticeship Progression: Individuals completing a formal apprenticeship in a related trade (such as boiler operation or HVAC) may enter as technicians first, then advance to management roles with additional experience and training.
Successful candidates typically demonstrate several years of progressive experience in plant operations, proven technical knowledge of heating systems, and evidence of supervisory or leadership capability.
Part-Time Options
The Manager - Heat Plant position is typically a full-time, permanent role. However, the federal Public Service does offer flexibility options that may be available depending on operational needs and management approval.
Given the nature of heat plant operations, shift work is common, including evenings, nights, and weekends, particularly for on-call responsibilities during emergency situations or critical maintenance periods. Some facilities operate 24/7, requiring coordinated shift coverage among management and technical teams.
Remote work arrangements are limited for this role due to the requirement for on-site presence to oversee operations, troubleshoot issues, and ensure facility safety. However, some administrative and planning duties may be performed off-site. Flexible work schedules, compressed work weeks, or part-time arrangements may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and management approval. We encourage you to discuss specific flexibility options with the hiring manager during the recruitment process.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
