Reasons to work at the Department of National Defence

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A career's worth of possibilities

Video / June 13 2024

Transcript

George A: For me, I think it's kind of looking at the mission and the uniqueness of what we do at National Defence. As a civilian employee, we directly impact our men and women in uniform, and we really support them.

Chelcie M: I've had some important people in my life who were service members growing up. My husband is now a service member. And now kind of being able to contribute to the well-being of the CAF members and also work alongside of them, because we also have service members working here is really a meaningful part of the job and makes it feel like we're also giving back.

Julie S: I think for people starting off their career, DND is a ideal spot because not only do you have a great work life balance, great benefits, great salary, but the work is also very, very interesting.

Austin A: In terms of working here as a Defence scientist at DRDC. You can really choose the kind of scientist that you want to be and pursue the research that you're passionate about.

Micaela T: The government has put a big push forward for positive space, for inclusivity, for anyone of any community. But for me to speak to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. We do have a public service pride network that has been a phenomenal resource for me to use. I have been supported a lot by my chain of command.

Chelcie M: If you're looking for an environment to really develop skills and a diverse set of skills, and also have some clinical flexibility and creativity in the work that you do, then looking at an environment such as the Department of National Defense might be a really cool opportunity, because it definitely fosters a lot of those things.

Why work at National Defence

Public service employees at the Department of National Defence (DND) support the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations. Whether it’s servicing cutting-edge military equipment, developing strategic defence policies, or gathering top secret defence intelligence, you will find the career that is right for you.

Work environment

National Defence employs over 20,000 public service employees in over 40 locations across Canada and abroad, making it one of the largest federal government departments in Canada. National Defence has made health and wellness a priority for both its public service and military employees and has built a diverse and inclusive workforce that is welcoming of individual differences. It is committed to providing support and tools that contribute to the physical and mental health of the Defence community.

National Defence headquarters is in Ottawa, Ontario at a secure, state-of-the-art facility combining the latest technology with green, open workspaces that promote a healthy work-life balance. The complex includes its own fitness facilities, recreational spaces, and several amenities and food concessions.

With so many locations to choose from and nearly 70 different types of career opportunities, working at National Defence means flexibility and mobility opportunities.

Balancing work and life

The success of Canada’s defence depends on our people. National Defence places a strong emphasis on work-life balance and building a healthy, respectful workplace for all. We value our employees and strive to create a high performing workforce that is representative of the population we serve. 

Canada’s defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free, outlines the commitment to support military members, their families, and all public service employees. At National Defence, we recognize that the future of work is about exploring the interconnections between people, technology, workspaces, health and safety, and organizational policy. Hybrid work allows the Defence Team to develop and implement a work environment that supports an agile, inclusive, responsive, and resilient workforce.

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