As a Supervisor in Environmental Science at the Department of National Defence, you will lead a team of environmental science professionals while contributing to the department's environmental stewardship and compliance objectives. You are responsible for overseeing scientific work related to environmental assessment, monitoring, contamination management, and regulatory compliance across DND facilities and operations. This role combines hands-on scientific expertise with people management, requiring you to balance project delivery, team development, and strategic environmental priorities.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include supervising and mentoring environmental science staff, assigning and reviewing scientific work, ensuring quality standards are met, and communicating findings to senior management and external stakeholders. You will coordinate with multiple departments, environmental agencies, and contractors to address environmental issues at military installations. You may also contribute directly to complex environmental assessments, site remediation projects, or policy development initiatives.
The work environment is dynamic and collaborative. You will work in office settings at National Defence headquarters or regional environmental offices, with occasional site visits to assess environmental conditions at military properties. You'll interact regularly with scientists, engineers, project managers, and government partners while meeting federal environmental regulations and DND standards.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily environmental science 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
Research design, Statistical analysis, Laboratory techniques, Scientific writing, Data interpretation, 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 succeed in this role, you typically need a university degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, chemistry, biology, or a related natural science discipline. Many supervisors hold a master's degree or have completed specialized environmental certifications such as Professional Geoscientist (PGeo), Professional Engineer (P.Eng), or Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) credentials.
Professional development is ongoing in this career. DND supports supervisors in pursuing advanced certifications, specialized training in emerging environmental technologies, and management courses to strengthen leadership capabilities. You may pursue training in contaminated site remediation, environmental compliance, climate change adaptation, or environmental management systems. Government of Canada learning platforms provide courses in people management, project management, and policy development. Many environmental science supervisors maintain active memberships in professional organizations such as the Canadian Environmental Law Association or Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
Entry Plans
Entry to this supervisory role typically occurs through internal competition within the Public Service. Most candidates have worked as Environmental Science professionals (non-supervisory) within DND or other federal departments and have demonstrated strong technical expertise and leadership potential. The Public Service Commission conducts formal competitions based on merit, evaluating candidates on scientific knowledge, management experience, and competencies in areas such as decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
Alternatively, experienced environmental professionals from outside government may enter through open competitions, though supervisory positions are more commonly filled by promoting internal candidates with established federal government experience. Some candidates transition to this role from related fields such as environmental consulting, provincial environmental agencies, or university research positions. Student recruitment programs and co-op placements can provide pathways into entry-level environmental science positions, from which you can advance to supervisory roles over time. Lateral moves from other science and math job families are possible if you can demonstrate equivalent experience and meet the specific environmental science requirements.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work options are available for this supervisory role, though the extent depends on operational needs and departmental approval. Many supervisors work full-time (37.5 hours per week), as team management and project oversight typically require consistent presence and availability. However, DND supports flexible work arrangements where feasible, including compressed work weeks or adjusted schedules in some cases.
Remote work has become more common in this role since 2020, particularly for office-based duties such as report writing, data analysis, team meetings, and administrative tasks. However, on-site presence is necessary for team supervision, facility site visits, and collaborative work with colleagues and external partners. Most supervisors work a hybrid arrangement, splitting time between the office and remote locations. Telework eligibility depends on your specific work location and operational requirements. Part-time and flexible options require discussion with your manager and must align with collective agreement provisions for your classification level.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
