Current Opportunities

We're growing! Work with us!

We're proud to be an office of dedicated, hard-working professionals who are motivated by social justice and procedural fairness within the public sector.

“Without your efforts to help me, I would still be struggling to resolve my issue…. I was not aware before of the function of the Ombudsman’s Office. I now totally believe this office is indispensable to our society for restoring fairness and justice to its citizens. I am most grateful to you and your institution.”
--Complainant

About Us

The Ontario Ombudsman’s Office oversees more than 1,000 provincial ministries, boards, agencies and tribunals, taking complaints from the public and helping thousands of people cut through government bureaucracy and red tape to resolve serious problems every year. The number of organizations we oversee has more than doubled in recent years, and complaints to our office are increasing. We’re expanding to be able to help more Ontarians than ever before.

We receive 25,000 complaints every year, while conducting large-scale, systemic investigations into issues impacting people across the province. The issues we look at, from newborn screening to cancer drug funding to services for people with disabilities, are interesting and complex, affecting millions of people in Ontario. Work with us and you’ll play a role in improving how these programs are delivered.

an employee of the office of the Ontario Ombudsman

We would love to work with you! We offer:

Collaborative, exciting work with exceptional colleagues passionate about public service
Comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits
Generous paid maternity and parental leave
Hybrid working environment with an office centrally located on the subway line
A commitment to work-life balance
Defined-benefit pension plan through the Ontario Pension Board
Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

We look for people who:

Possess a strong foundation in their chosen field and are open to learning and employing new ways of working
Can think innovatively within a structured framework, respecting existing processes and procedures
Are capable of multitasking, working through the finer details while still seeing the big picture
Have excellent verbal and written skills, and the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with individuals at all levels
Have strong analytical and interpersonal skills, and enjoy working independently
Experience in the public sector, especially with school boards, municipalities and universities, is considered an asset
Ability to speak, read, and write in French is considered an asset

Legal Counsel
Legal Counsel (French Language Services)

Legal Counsel

Division & Section: Legal Unit
Work Location: 483 Bay St., Toronto (Hybrid work with 2 days in office and 3 days working from home - subject to change)
Job Type & Hours: Full-time - 36.25 hours per week
Salary: $107,343 - $161,015
Union Affiliation: Excluded
Open positions: 1
Posting Period: April 8, 2024 to May 3, 2024

About the role

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial Officer of the Legislature that resolves and investigates complaints about Ontario government organizations, broader public sector bodies (including municipalities, universities and school boards), child protection services, and compliance with the French Language Services Act. The Ombudsman recommends solutions to individual and systemic administrative problems, and promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector as well as respect for French language service rights and the rights of children and youth in care.

Legal Counsel actively work across all units of the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office. They positively impactTheir work positively impacts Ontarians as they by negotiateing changes to practices, policies and legislation within the public sector. Counsel investigate serious and complex cases, prepare investigative reports, and provide legal advice and support to the Ombudsman and his staff. Working within a collaborative team, Counsel carry their own caseloads. They may also work on internal policy development and contract preparation, as well as conduct staff training. Acting as representatives of the Office, Counsel participate in outreach activities such as conferences, symposia and other events that connect stakeholders to the important work we do.

Responsibilities

Conducts extensive legal research and provides legal advice and analysis to the Ombudsman and staff members on a variety of matters with the primary focus being, administrative law, municipal law and investigative procedure. Keeps abreast of relevant developments in the law, including legislative and regulatory amendments.
In complex, systemic and open meeting cases, as required, assists in developing investigative plans and conducts investigations, including interviewing witnesses;, identifying, obtaining, reviewing and analyzing relevant documentation;, working to tight timelines; and producing reports on the results of investigations.
Works in collaboration with Senior Counsel in the conduct of investigations and production of reports.
Represents the Office in litigation as required, including preparation of pleadings and court attendance.
Assists in the development of organizational policies to meet legal requirements and .
Participates in outreach activities, enhancing stakeholders' understanding of the Ombudsman’s role and function.

Knowledge and experience

Must be currently licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, with a minimum of 2-4 years of experience as legal counsel.
Demonstrated experience in relevant areas of practice such as administrative, education, child and youth, or municipal law and experience in conducting administrative investigations considered an asset.

Required skills and competencies

Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of handling emotionally charged situations and dealing with a diverse range of stakeholders and complainants.
Superior research and analytical skills with an excellent ability to provide legal advice and opinions, and prepare a variety of materials including memos of law and high-quality, detailed investigative reports.
Superior written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to represent the office in outreach activities and prepare detailed investigative reports. Competency in French is considered an asset.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment, managing multiple projects and priorities within established timelines.

Apply

Additional requirements

Please include a cover letter with your résumé, describing your experience/achievements working in complaint handling and why you are interested in a role with Ombudsman Ontario.
Must be eligible to work in Canada and work from the office as per work requirements.
Some travel may be required.

Our recruitment practices reflect the Ontario Ombudsman’s continuing goal of encouraging a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Accommodations in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code will be provided.

Only applicants selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.

Legal Counsel (French Language Services)

Legal Counsel actively work across all units of the Ombudsman Office. They positively impact Ontarians by negotiating changes to practices, policies and legislation within the public sector. Counsel investigate serious and complex cases, prepare investigative reports, and provide legal advice and support to the Ombudsman and his staff. Working within a collaborative team, Counsel carry their own caseload. They may also work on internal policy development and contract preparation, as well as conduct staff training. Acting as representatives of the Office, Counsel participate in outreach activities such as conferences, symposia and other events that connect stakeholders to the important work we do.

This position is within the legal services team. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing services to the Commissioner, French Language Services and the French Language Services Unit, which reviews complaints about the offering of services in French pursuant to the French Language Services Act by government agencies, institutions, ministries, boards, and corporations as well as designated agencies. The position may also be assigned work on legal issues arising in other areas of the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction, including issues involving municipalities, school boards and universities.

ABOUT YOU

Successful candidate will have the following:

A minimum of two years’ experience as legal counsel, and be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario
Significant experience researching, analyzing and applying administrative, education or municipal law, or in other relevant areas of practice
Demonstrated ability to research complex issues, use sound judgment, and provide legal advice and support
Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
Strong interpersonal skills with the capacity to coach others through complex issues
Proficient in communicating in writing and orally in the French language with an ability to work at the superior level
Ability to communicate and receive instructions in English
Knowledge of the Ombudsman Act and the French Language Services Act would be considered an asset
Knowledge of the Francophone community in Ontario and a demonstrated interest in promoting the language rights of Francophones would be considered an asset
Experience conducting administrative investigations would be considered an asset

Read full job description

Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending their application to:

The Counsel Network
Attn.: Meaghan Loughry, Recruitment Associate
mloughry@thecounselnetwork.com

Our recruitment practices reflect the Ontario Ombudsman’s continuing goal of encouraging a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Please Note: Only applicants selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted. Moving expenses will not be paid.