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.

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

French Language Services Commissioner - Ontario Ombudsman
Legal Counsel (French Language Services)

French Language Services Commissioner - Ontario Ombudsman

Location: Toronto, Ontario

The French Language Services Commissioner (Commissioner) plays an important role in supporting Ontario’s francophone community. Reporting to the Ontario Ombudsman, the Commissioner is responsible for monitoring compliance with the French Language Services Act (FLSA) and recommending ways to improve the delivery of government services in French. The Commissioner provides leadership and direction to the French Language Services Unit (FLSU) within the Ombudsman’s Office. Specifically, the Commissioner and the FLSU proactively promote French language rights in Ontario, engage in outreach to the Francophone community, review and analyse complaints and trends, conduct investigations related to compliance with the Act, prepare reports which include recommendations, and monitor implementation of the recommendations.

As well as providing leadership to the FLSU, the Commissioner will play a key advisory role within the Ombudsman’s Office as a member of the Ombudsman’s Executive Management Team (EMT). The Commissioner, under the direction of and on behalf of the Ombudsman, will be responsible for proactive engagement throughout Ontario in order to promote and protect French language rights and the provision of French language services, as prescribed in the French Language Services Act. The Commissioner will be responsible for the French Language Services Unit’s operations and activities and is accountable for conceptualizing and articulating the strategies and directional frameworks underpinning the Ombudsman’s vision and objectives for the Unit. The Commissioner ensures that the Unit’s plans and priorities and management of resources within the Unit are aligned with the Office’s mandate under the Ombudsman Act, the French Language Services Act, and the objectives established by the Ombudsman and the EMT.

As a member of the Ombudsman’s EMT, the Commissioner advises the Ombudsman on all issues of importance to the French Language Services Unit and its operations and provides ongoing direction and support to ensure the smooth functioning and effective operation of the Unit in alignment with the functioning of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The successful candidate is recognized as a leader in the promotion of language rights within the Francophone community. Experience in assessing administrative fairness and knowledge of the machinery of government would be considered assets. The candidate utilizes strong interpersonal skills to build effective working relationships with individuals with disparate interests and agendas within specific communities, government, and internal to the Ombudsman’s Office.

Superior analytical skills serve as the foundation for the candidate to formulate creative and innovative solutions to complex complaints and problems. Experience and knowledge of the provincial government, the role of the Ombudsman and the theories and principles of complaints investigation and resolution are key elements of the candidate’s background. Experience in an oversight role will be an asset.

As required by the French Language Services Act, the candidate must be proficient in French. The ideal candidate will be fully bilingual in both French and English.

To apply for this position, please submit your application and related materials by Monday, October 11th, 2023 to mgaudreault@boyden.com and state the title of the position in the subject line of your e-mail.

The Office of the Ombudsman is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. In keeping with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements, all qualified persons are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Boyden and The Office of the Ombudsman will provide accommodations upon request during the recruitment, selection, and assessment process for candidates with a disability.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those under consideration for the role 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.