As an Official Languages Assistant, you play a vital role in supporting the Department of National Defence's commitment to official bilingualism. You will assist in implementing, coordinating, and promoting official languages policies and programs across DND and Canadian Armed Forces units. Your work directly contributes to creating a workplace where both English and French are valued, accessible, and actively used.
Your responsibilities include supporting official languages training initiatives, maintaining language records and documentation, coordinating language testing and certification programs, and providing administrative support to official languages committees and working groups. You will also help develop resources, manage correspondence in both official languages, and ensure compliance with Treasury Board and Canadian Human Rights Act requirements regarding official languages.
You will work in a collaborative, diverse environment within Human Resources Management teams at National Defence Headquarters, regional offices, or military bases. Your position is essential to supporting leaders and employees in meeting their official languages obligations and advancing inclusive workplace practices across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver official languages services to managers and employees, Advise on HR policies, procedures, and best practices, Process HR transactions and maintain accurate records, Support organizational HR initiatives and programs
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, Technical proficiency, Attention to detail, Collaboration, Continuous learning
Typical Education
Post-secondary education or equivalent experience relevant to the position
Training
To succeed in this role, you should have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some positions may require or prefer post-secondary education in human resources, public administration, or a related field. You must have strong written and oral communication skills in both English and French, with the ability to work effectively across language communities.
Professional development opportunities include Treasury Board's official languages training programs, human resources management courses, and certifications through recognized institutions. DND offers continuous learning in workplace accommodation, cultural competency, and government policy frameworks. Many employees pursue further qualifications in human resources or public administration while employed, with support from departmental learning and development programs.
Entry Plans
Most Official Languages Assistant positions in the federal Public Service are staffed through public competitions managed by the Public Service Commission (PSC). You can monitor opportunities on the Government of Canada job portal (jobs.gc.ca). Some positions may be filled through the Public Service Priority System if you are a laid-off federal public servant with reinstatement eligibility.
You may also enter through lateral moves or deployments if you are already employed in the federal Public Service. The Intermediate Group and Administration (IM) and Administrative Services (AS) groups typically recruit for these roles. Student program participants, including those in the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign (PSRC), may also transition to permanent positions. Keep in mind that a valid security clearance, often at the Reliability level or higher, is required for DND positions.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are often available for Official Languages Assistant positions, depending on operational needs and departmental policy at your specific location. Many positions offer flexible hours or compressed work weeks to support work-life balance. Remote work options have expanded across DND, and hybrid arrangements (combining office and remote work) are increasingly common for administrative roles, particularly those focused on coordination and document management.
The extent of part-time and flexible options varies by unit and manager. We encourage you to discuss these possibilities during the recruitment process or upon appointment. DND is committed to supporting employees' diverse needs while maintaining service delivery to the Canadian Armed Forces and defence operations.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
