As a Manager - Plumbing with the Department of National Defence, you will provide leadership and technical oversight to plumbing teams responsible for maintaining and upgrading water systems, drainage infrastructure, and related mechanical systems across DND facilities. You will supervise skilled trades workers, coordinate plumbing projects of varying complexity, ensure compliance with national building codes and safety standards, and manage budgets and timelines. Your work directly supports operational readiness by ensuring reliable building infrastructure at military installations and Defence facilities across Canada.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include scheduling preventative maintenance, troubleshooting system failures, directing repairs and installations, conducting inspections, and ensuring your team works safely and efficiently. You will also prepare work estimates, manage inventory and materials, coordinate with other trades and departments, and maintain detailed records of all plumbing work performed. This is a hands-on leadership role where technical knowledge of plumbing systems is essential, and you will be expected to demonstrate both problem-solving abilities and people management skills.
You will work in diverse environments including military bases, barracks, administrative buildings, technical facilities, and specialized infrastructures. The work can involve emergency repairs requiring rapid response, planned maintenance projects, and capital renovations. You may work standard hours or be on-call for urgent situations. This career offers the opportunity to lead a skilled team while maintaining the essential systems that keep Defence facilities operational.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of plumbing services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the plumbing 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 qualify for a Manager - Plumbing position, you must hold a valid interprovincial plumber's certification or equivalent provincial certification recognized in Canada, along with several years of hands-on plumbing experience. Most candidates possess a plumbing apprenticeship completion and provincial licensing as a Journeyperson Plumber. You will need to demonstrate supervisory experience or show readiness to transition into a management role through proven leadership capabilities.
The Department of National Defence provides comprehensive training to develop your management skills, including courses in DND policies, budget management, occupational health and safety requirements specific to federal facilities, and military culture and operations. You may access professional development through the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating or equivalent trades associations to maintain your certifications and stay current with evolving codes and technologies. DND also offers training in project management, team leadership, and emergency response procedures relevant to managing critical infrastructure.
Entry Plans
You can enter the DND civilian workforce as a Manager - Plumbing through several pathways. The primary route is through open public competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Job Bank and the DND careers website, where you will be assessed on your plumbing qualifications, supervisory experience, and management readiness. If you are already a federal public servant in a plumbing or trades position, you may apply for internal competitions or be considered through lateral movement within your department or other federal agencies.
If you are transitioning from the Canadian Armed Forces, DND prioritizes consideration for positions through the Veterans' preference policy and transition programs designed to support your move to civilian employment. Some positions may be filled through targeted recruitment pools for candidates with specific trades certifications. We also encourage applications from candidates with equivalent experience outside the federal government who hold valid plumbing credentials and demonstrated supervisory capability. The specific entry method depends on the staffing approach for the available position at your local DND installation.
Part-Time Options
Manager - Plumbing positions at DND are typically full-time, permanent roles due to the supervisory responsibilities and need for consistent facility oversight. However, the Department of National Defence recognizes the importance of work-life balance and may offer flexible scheduling arrangements on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and the needs of your team.
Remote work is generally not applicable to this role, as hands-on facility management, team supervision, and emergency response require your presence at the work site. However, some administrative and planning duties may be performed remotely. DND continues to explore flexible work options across the civilian workforce, so inquire about possibilities during your application or onboarding. Part-time or casual plumbing positions may be available separately as Plumber positions (non-supervisory) if you are seeking reduced-hours work in the trades.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
