Current Opportunities

Reporting to the Ontario Ombudsman, the French Language Services Commissioner (Commissioner) provides leadership to the French Language Services (FLS) Unit which is responsible for promoting and protecting the French language rights of Ontario residents, including their right to receive services in French. As a member of the Executive Management Team, the Commissioner offers sound counsel on organizational priorities but especially as it relates to the FLS Unit and its operations.  The Commissioner ensures the smooth functioning of the Unit in alignment with the Office’s strategic direction.

Read the full job description and apply.

The Communications team provides a wide range of high-quality professional communications services in a busy office with a high public profile and dynamic web and social presence.
 
The Manager, Communications manages a team of communications staff across three teams – the Ombudsman Ontario generalist unit, the Children and Youth unit, and the French Language Services unit. The team is responsible for, among other things, extensive monitoring of English and French media, research, and analysis; media requests in English and French; production of bilingual communications materials (press releases, speeches, presentations, videos, brochures, newsletters); website design and maintenance; social media monitoring and content creation; and public and stakeholder engagement and outreach.
 
This opportunity will appeal to people who are highly attentive to detail, have excellent project management skills, and who are adept at juggling multiple competing priorities in a busy environment.

 

ABOUT YOU

Successful candidates will have the following:

• A post-secondary degree from a recognized institution in communications/journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• A minimum of five years’ experience providing communications support and services, including advising senior management on innovative communications tools and strategies

• Superior writing and editing skills, communicating effectively and efficiently with the public, governmental officials, stakeholders, and coworkers

• Exceptional communications skills, including a high degree of tact, professionalism and diplomacy

• Ability to draft and implement communications and outreach plans, with an eye to identifying stakeholder groups and developing material for distribution

• Experience with digital and social media, including web and social content, video, photography, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

• Proven ability to develop and manage employee skills and capabilities

• Sound judgment and discretion when making decisions

• Ability to manage demanding workload, focusing on organizational priorities, and adapting to the changing needs of the organization

• Event planning experience will be considered an asset

• Experience working in the public sector, for an Officer of the Legislature, or for another oversight body, and/or in a bilingual environment, will be considered an asset

• Preference will be given to candidates with an advanced level of written and oral French

As part of the Early Resolutions team Children and Youth Unit, you’ll be the first contact for people coming to the Ontario Ombudsman’s office with complaints about children and youth and services provided by children’s aid societies (CAS) services, residential licensees, and secure treatment programs. Early Resolution Officers (EROs), Children and Youth, triage and analyze complaints to clearly identify issues and determine how to resolve them or when to escalate them. EROs must be able to capably frame issues for escalation and for regular reporting to senior management. Each ERO manages a caseload of files, as well as assists with trend analysis to identify complaint patterns and potential systemic issues. In addition to receiving complaints by email and letter, EROs use their active listening and interviewing skills to take complaints over the phone and in person, at times dealing with complainants who may require special accommodation, or who may be frustrated and distressed by their experience.

This opportunity will appeal to people who are keen to develop innovative solutions within a structured framework and while respecting existing processes and procedures. Successful candidates are both analytical and empathetic, and enjoy working independently as well as collaboratively. Opportunities to work on complaints in French for bilingual candidates.

 

ABOUT YOU

Successful candidates will have the following:

• A minimum of two years’ experience providing intake and complaint handling services in a similar organization

• Post-secondary education in social sciences or law

• An understanding of issues that children and youth experience related to children’s aid societies, residential licensees, and secure treatment

• Demonstrated experience in analyzing and identifying issues without injecting opinion or acting as an advocate

• Ability to bring innovative thinking to an issue, while working within a prescribed framework

• Capable of multitasking, balancing the need to resolve issues quickly with an effective and thorough analysis

• Demonstrated ability to communicate with children or youth and those specifically who are distressed, emotionally distraught or who may require special accommodation

• Excellent verbal and written skills, and ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with individuals at all levels

• Self-starter with a proven ability to work independently and with a team

• Preference will be given to candidates with experience working with provincial government or broader public sector organizations responsible for the delivery of services to children and youth including relevant boards, tribunals, and agencies

• Familiarity with social media and new technology an asset

The Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the Early Resolutions Managers and their staff and, serves as back up to the Records and Archives Technician and Receptionist.  Responsibilities will include opening complaints, drafting and sending correspondence, data entry, coordinating and supporting meetings, organizing travel and/or accommodation arrangements, conference registration, maintaining supplies and equipment, and various scheduling duties.
 

About you

Successful candidates will have the following:

• A minimum of two years’ experience as an Administrative Assistant providing support at the managerial level in a similar organization

• Working knowledge of drafting and formatting correspondence in Microsoft Word, setting up, tracking data, and manipulating Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, preparing and editing presentations in Microsoft Power Point

• Attention to detail with strong editing and proof reading skills

• Experience working in and providing support within a professional environment

• Hands-on experience working with an information database

• Ability to prioritize work and multitask

• Takes pride in the efficient functioning of a team and department

• Ability to problem solve typical office environment issues

• Knowledge of government organizations and their administrative processes

• Ability to communicate orally and/or in writing in French will be an asset

 
This is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic, exciting work environment and be part of a world-renowned office with a team of top public sector professionals. You will provide support to the organizational mandate which contributes to systemic change and improved public policy and administration for Ontarians.

Investigators in the Children and Youth Unit at the Ontario Ombudsman are responsible for both leading and working as a team on various investigative files relating to services provided by children’s aid societies (CAS) and residential licensees. As an investigator, you will be accountable for investigations from inception to completion, which includes identifying issues, interviewing witnesses, and gathering and analyzing information, as well as writing clear and comprehensive reports. Your work will play a crucial role in the development of the Ombudsman’s recommendations to promote respect for the rights of children and youth and improve services in the child protection system.

This opportunity will appeal to investigators who are keen to be part of a world-class investigations team that deals with administrative fairness and maladministration issues affecting the rights of children and youth.

 

ABOUT YOU

Successful candidates will have the following:

• University degree in a field such as law, psychology, political science, public administration or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

• Preference given to those with 2 or more years experience in conducting investigations in an administrative oversight or similar field

• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing investigation plans

• Well-developed research and analytical skills

• Experience preparing well-written, detailed reports

• Working knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Ombudsman Act, Ombudsman Ontario jurisdiction, government and its structures

• Working knowledge of the child protection system in Ontario, as well as provincial government organizations, boards and agencies relevant to children and youth in Ontario

• Proven ability to interview children and youth, as well as individuals at all organizational levels, as well as strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage and defuse emotionally-charged situations

• Ability to exercise good judgement and common sense, and is accountable for decisions

• Capacity to work effectively in a team-based environment, and be open to consultation and collaboration in determining appropriate solutions for complaints and inquiries

• Demonstrated commitment to quality in service delivery and application of administrative fairness