Materiel Acquisition and Support Officer Development Program
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Looking to kickstart you career?
Are you looking to kickstart your career with the Government of Canada? Are you a dynamic and talented post-secondary graduate looking for a structured pathway to a successful career? Look no further! Join the elite Officer Development Program (ODP) in the Materiel Group at the Department of National Defence for a fulfilling career.
We are looking for inquisitive people ready to step outside their comfort zone. We are looking for people who don’t shy away from challenges, who have integrity and self-sufficiency with drive and personal commitment. Is that you? Then, our fast-tracked employee development program may be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!
About ADM(Materiel)
DND’s Materiel Group is the country’s largest materiel management organization. It is a central service provider and functional authority for all defence materiel and equipment programs. It ranks as one of the largest business entities in the government of Canada.
The Materiel Group serves DND and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The work that Materiel Group employees accomplish directly contributes to the success of the Canadian Armed Forces. Many pursue fulfilling careers in procurement/purchasing and supply, engineering, Life Cycle Materiel Management (LCMM) and Integrated Logistic Support (ILS), tech support and as technical inspectors. Materiel Group employees can proudly say that they play an important role in the country’s national security and safety objectives at home and abroad.
About the Officer Development Program (ODP)
The Materiel Acquisition and Support Officer Development Program (ODP) is an elite, fast-tracked, entry-level program.
It has five career streams: Procurement/Purchasing and Supply (PG), Engineering (EN-ENG), Engineering and Scientific Support (EG), Electronics (EL) or Technical Inspector (Quality Assurance Representative) (TI). Career streams are built in two or three phases. Each phase lasts 12 months.
Depending on the career stream, trainees start at the following classification groups and levels: PG-02, EN-ENG-02, EG-03, EL-03 or TI-03 level. After the successful completion of each phase, trainees are promoted to the next level or receive a pay level increment within their classification group. Upon graduation, trainees are offered career placements at the working-level classification groups and levels of PG 04, ENG 04, EG 06, EL 06 or TI 05 within the Materiel Group.
During the program, trainees are offered work placements and sent on field rotational assignments in which they are given real tasks in direct support of ongoing projects, materiel sustainment or acquisitions processes. They are expected to complete a wide variety of courses and practical tasks, and to attend specific on-the-job training events, all related to the Materiel Acquisition and Support (MA&S) process.
Right from the start, trainees are integrated into the workforce. They are set up for success on the way to a fulfilling career full of opportunities including, but not limited to, professional accreditation, project management certification or appointment, leadership roles, program management and more.
ODP career streams
The five ODP career streams are:
Purchasing and Supply (PG)
Program objectives
- To provide PG ODP trainees with the necessary skills, knowledge and work experience to plan, negotiate and administer procurements contracts.
- To provide PG ODP trainees with the necessary skills, knowledge and work experience to manage inventories.
Program details
- The PG ODP career stream provides trainees with valuable and extensive procurement and materiel management work experience. It exposes PG ODP trainees to various clients and suppliers.
- PG ODP trainees access customized and structured developmental work assignments such as:
- Repair and Overhaul (R&O)
- National Inventory Control Point (NICP)
- Procurement & Contracting of Services
- Minor Capital Acquisitions
- Major Capital Acquisitions
- In-Service Support Contract (ISSC)
- Assignments are supervised by experienced supply chain professionals. They include written performance assessments and a structured feedback session with a supervisor or the Deputy Program Manager.
- Assignments are augmented by formal classroom and online training. PG ODP trainees are required to complete several courses in project management, procurement and contracting, materiel management, and more.
- The PG career stream consists of two phases. The successful completion of each phase is based on performance, availability of training and completion of assignments. At the end of a successful phase 1, PG ODP trainees are promoted to the PG 03 level for the second and final phase of the program. Upon graduation, PG ODP trainees join ADM(Mat)’s regular workforce at the PG 04 level.
- The PG ODP stream is part of the PG Academy. The PG Academy aims to structure a PG employee’s career path, which may lead to higher-level management positions.
Engineering (EN-ENG)
Program objectives
- To provide ENG ODP trainees with the necessary skills, knowledge and work experience to plan, implement and sustain defence materiel and equipment-related projects and programs as Materiel Acquisition and Support engineers.
Program details
- The ENG ODP career stream provides trainees with valuable and extensive engineering work experiences. It exposes trainees to the various stages of equipment lifecycle management including acquisition, in-service support, and divestment.
- ENG ODP trainees access structured developmental work assignments such as:
- Systems Engineering Management (SEM)
- Integrated Logistics Support (ILS)
- Project management activities that support a large variety of equipment fleets and systems
- Assignments are supervised by experienced engineers. They include written performance assessments and structured feedback session with a supervisor or the Deputy Program Manager. Assignments are augmented by formal classroom and online training.
- ENG ODP trainees get a field rotational assignment. Trainees are required to travel to one of the Canadian Armed Forces bases for a period ranging between two weeks to three months depending on the individual’s working element (Air, Land or Sea).
- The ENG ODP career stream consists of three phases. The successful completion of each phase is based on performance, availability of training and completion of assignments. At the end of a successful phase 1, ENG ODP trainees are promoted to the ENG 03 level for the second and third phases of the program.
- Upon graduation, ENG ODP trainees join ADM(Mat)’s regular workforce at the ENG 04 level.
Engineering and Scientific Support (EG) and Electronics (EL)
Program objectives
- To provide EG and EL ODP trainees with the necessary skills, knowledge and work experience to plan, implement and sustain defence materiel and equipment-related projects and programs as Life Cycle material Managers or Integrated Logistic Support officers.
Program details
- The EG/EL ODP focuses on two of the three main business functions: Life Cycle Materiel Management (LCMM) and Integrated Logistic Support (ILS), excluding Technical (Tech) support for repair, testing, and specialized engineering tasks. The EG/EL ODP is offered in the National Capital Region (NCR) since jobs for LCMMs and ILS officers are centralized in the NCR.
- LCMMs manage materiel in the CAF from the day an item is delivered through to its end-of-life and divestment. These tasks include:
- in-service procurement support;
- equipment and LCMM subject matter expertise support;
- obsolescence management;
- management of spares;
- maintenance support;
- 3rd line repair and overhaul;
- project management;
- supply management;
- configuration management;
- technical documentation management;
- calibration.
- ILS officers provide subject matter expertise to major projects. They ensure that LCMM staff can maintain capital assets through their life cycle within the Materiel Group. Knowledge of the supply chain operations, procurement requirements, engineering processes, quality assurance, operators, maintainers and the LCMM function within the respective groups is key to the success of ILS practitioners.
- Assignments are augmented by formal classroom and online training. EG/EL ODP trainees are required to complete several courses in systems engineering management, Life Cycle Materiel Management, and more.
- The EG/EL ODP career streams consist of three phases. The successful completion of each phase is based on performance, availability of training and completion of assignments. At the end of a successful phase 1, EG/EL ODP trainees are promoted to the EG 04/EL 04 level and then after successfully completing phase 2, trainees are promoted to the EG 05/EL 05 level. Upon graduation, EG/EL ODP trainees join ADM(Mat)’s regular workforce as a Life Cycle Materiel Manager (LCMM) or Integrated Logistic Support Officer (ILS) at the EG 06/EL 06 level.
Technical Inspector (TI)
Program objectives
- To provide TI ODP trainees with the necessary skills, knowledge and work experience to provide quality assurance functions in support to the Materiel Acquisition and Support process.
Program details
- DND Technical Inspectors assume the role of Quality Assurance Representatives. They provide Government Quality Assurance services at assigned Defence industry contractor locations to ensure that military equipment is supplied in accordance with contract requirements. Their tasks include:
- evaluating assigned Defence contractor quality management systems against standards such as ISO 9001:2015;
- evaluating risk information and planning appropriate quality assurance surveillance;
- performing quality auditing activities and witnessing equipment testing;
- identifying and informing the contractor of non-compliance, assessing contractor responses and monitoring corrective action taken;
- reviewing Certificate of Conformance and release documents;
- providing technical, engineering, and materiel management support to National Defence Headquarters Equipment Management Program clients;
- providing support to clients for military equipment undergoing repair and overhaul at assigned contractor locations;
- arranging Government Quality Assurance for products or services contracted outside Canada.
- The TI career stream consists of two phases. The successful completion of each phase is based on performance, availability of training and completion of assignments. Trainees are required to complete several courses in environmental awareness, process audits, and more. At the end of a successful phase 1, TI ODP trainees are promoted to the TI 04 level for the second and final phase of the program. Upon graduation, TI ODP trainees join ADM(Mat)’s regular workforce at the TI 05 level.
- TI ODP positions are dispersed across Canada. The Quality Assurance Work Centres are in Lévis, Quebec City, the Greater Montreal area, the Greater Toronto area, London, the National Capital Region, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. Candidates wishing to apply to the TI Program stream must identify the work areas they are interested in at the application stage of the process.
Education and language requirements
The following are the education credentials required for each stream of the program. Given the nature of the program and its accelerated development cycle, the education criteria are higher than the regular Treasury Board Secretariat’s basic requirements for the same group classifications. Based on the positions to be filled, we may also seek specialty qualifications as requirements for selection.
Language requirements vary based on the geographical locations of the positions and their specific official language bilingual proficiency requirements. It is important to note that for geographical regions deemed “bilingual”, supervisory role positions will require a bilingual proficiency of BBB or CBC. Trainees joining the program are required to meet the second official language proficiency profile for the position for which they are selected to fill upon graduation from the program.
Purchasing and Supply (PG) stream
Education
- PG ODP trainees must hold a degree or an applied degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization relevant to the duties of the position.
Language requirement
- PG ODP applicants must obtain a BBB language profile in their second language evaluation to be enrolled into the ODP as a PG trainee. Applicants will first be asked to take the Public Service Commission’s online reading comprehension and written expression tests. If ODP applicants receive a B rating in both tests, they will then be invited to an oral assessment.
Engineering (EN-ENG) stream
Education
ENG ODP trainees must hold a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, aeronautical engineering, geological engineering, naval architecture or some other engineering specialty relevant to the duties of the position.
or
ENG ODP must hold a degreeFootnote 1 from a recognized international post-secondary institution in: mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, aeronautical engineering, geological engineering, naval architecture or some other engineering specialty relevant to the duties of the position. This degree must be recognized by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
or
- END OPD trainees must have earned a certification as a professional engineer in Canada with specialization in an engineering specialty relevant to the position.
Language requirements
- Various official language requirements apply to the ENG ODP program stream. Applicants are encouraged to pursue second language proficiency on their own time.
Engineering and Scientific Support Technologist (EG) stream
Education
EG ODP trainees must hold a three-year Technologist Diploma from a recognized college-level post-secondary institution in a technology program relevant to the position to be filled.
or
- EG ODP trainees must have an acceptable combination of post-secondary education/training coupled with a minimum of five years of technical work experience in a field of technology relevant to the position to be filled.
Language requirements
- Various official language requirements apply to the EG ODP program stream. Most positions are English essential. Applicants are encouraged to pursue second language proficiency on their own time.
Electronics Technologist (EL) stream
Education
EL ODP trainees must hold a three-year Electronics Technologist Diploma from a recognized college-level post-secondary institution or in another field of technology relevant to the position to be filled.
or
- EL ODP trainees must have an acceptable combination of post-secondary education/training coupled with a minimum of five years of technical work experience in a field of technology relevant to the position to be filled.
Language requirements
- Various official language requirements apply to the EL ODP program stream. Most positions are English essential. Applicants are encouraged to pursue second language proficiency on their own time.
Technical Inspector (TI) stream
Education
TI ODP trainees must hold a secondary school diploma.
and
TI ODP trainees must have completed an acceptable post secondary training program in chemical, electrical, electronics, aerospace, aeronautical, mechanical, maritime, software, or industrial engineering technology, or in another field of science or technology relevant to the position to be filled.
or
- TI ODP trainees must have an acceptable combination of education and a minimum of five years of training and/or working experience in a field of technology relevant to the position to be filled.
Language requirements
- Language requirements vary based on the geographical locations of the TI positions and the official language requirements of the bilingual positions.
Language of work
The government of Canada operates in both official languages: French and English. Position location, position level and responsibilities will affect position language proficiency requirements. Employees with direct reports who work in bilingual regions require a BBB language profile. Following the recommendation issued in the Clerk of Privy Council’s 2017 report on language of work, DND is currently raising the language profiles to CBC for supervisory positions located in bilingual regions.
Pay and benefits
Rates of pay vary depending on the stream and according to respective collective agreements. View the rates of pay for each career streams below:
- Purchasing and Supply (PG)
- Engineering (EN-ENG)
- Engineering and Scientific Support (EG)
- Electronics (EL)
- Technical Inspector (TI)
DND civilian employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package and pension.
ODP trainees may be eligible for relocation assistance when joining the program as a new public service employee. For more information, please refer to the Treasury Board's Initial Appointees Relocation Program. Relocation assistance for existing Public Service employees is determined in accordance with the National Joint Council Relocation Directive.
Diversity, inclusion and employment equity
The Department of National Defence (DND) is committed to fostering a public service culture grounded in diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility. DND takes employment equity seriously. DND is committed to identifying and eliminating artificial barriers in the workplace that prevent designated group members from accessing jobs, promotions, training, etc. We offer an inclusive workplace in which individual differences are recognized, respected and leveraged. We strive to ensure that each person’s talents and strengths are developed and utilized.
In the application form, there is a dedicated area for those who wish to self-identify.
How to apply
To apply to an ODP career stream, contact us by sending us an email to mat.odpinfo-infoppo@forces.gc.ca ensuring you specify which career stream you are interested in joining:
- Purchasing and Supply (PG)
- Engineering (EN-ENG)
- Engineering and Scientific Support (EG)
- Electronics (EL)
- Technical Inspector (TI)
You can also visit Canada.ca to watch for upcoming employment opportunities.
Contact us
For more information on the Materiel Acquisition and Support Officer Development Program, contact us at mat.odpinfo-infoppo@forces.gc.ca.
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