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

Articling Student (2025-2026)
Early Resolution Officer - General Unit (12 month Contract)

Articling Student (2025-2026)

Division & Section: Legal Services
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 Temporary
Salary: $1,608.23 per week
Open positions: 1
Posting Period: February 21 to March 23, 2025

DESCRIPTION

The Ombudsman is an independent, non-partisan Officer of the Ontario Legislature, appointed by all parties, whose role is to ensure that the provincial government and public sector serve people in a way that is fair, accountable, transparent and respectful of their rights. The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman takes complaints about the administrative decisions and actions of more than 1,000 public sector and government bodies in Ontario, as well as French language services and services provided in the child protection sector.

Under the direction of the Articling Principal, the Articling Student will provide legal support across the Office and manage a caseload of files involving legal issues. During your employment at our Office, you will be involved in all facets of our work and will provide a range of legal services, including legal advice and research, supporting the investigation of complaints, legal representation, policy development, and outreach under the supervision of the Articling Principal.

ABOUT YOU

Successful candidates will have the following:

Completion of the prerequisites required to participate in the Law Society of Ontario Articling Program
Demonstrated interest in administrative, public, municipal, education, child and youth, and/or language rights law
Superior written and oral communication skills in English are required
Competency in written and oral French at the advanced level is an asset
Balanced legal background including education and hands-on experience, paid or volunteer, which includes working with clients and researching legislation and issues
Superior interpersonal, analytical, organizational and writing skills
Self-starter with a proven ability to work independently and within a team

Apply

All applications should include:

Cover letter detailing your interest in our Office and your related experience
Detailed resume
Writing sample
Law school transcripts

This is a unique opportunity to develop your hands-on legal skills by working with a team of legal professionals dedicated to administrative fairness.

The successful candidate will be paid at the rate of $1,608.23 per week.

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.

All applications must be received by March 23, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Please note: Moving expenses will not be paid.

Early Resolution Officer - General Unit (12 month Contract)

Division & Section: General Unit
Work Location: 483 Bay St., Toronto (Hybrid work subject to operational requirements)
Job Type & Hours: Temporary (12-month contract), full-time, 36.25 hours per week
Salary: $82,839 - $103,550
Union Affiliation: COPE
Open positions: 1
Posting Period: March 7 to April 13, 2025

About the role

The Ombudsman is an independent, non-partisan Officer of the Ontario Legislature, appointed by all parties, whose role is to ensure that the provincial government and public sector serve people in a way that is fair, accountable, transparent and respectful of their rights.

The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman takes complaints about the administrative decisions and actions of more than 1,000 public sector and government bodies in Ontario, as well as French language services and services provided in the child protection sector.

As an Early Resolution Officer (ERO), you will be the first point of contact for receiving and addressing complaints. EROs triage and analyze complex cases to identify issues clearly, determine how to resolve complaints, frame issues for escalation, and provide regular reports to senior management.

Each ERO manages a caseload of files, conducts research, makes inquiries, and assists with trend analysis to identify complaint patterns and potential systemic issues. In addition to receiving complaints by email and letter, EROs take complaints over the phone and in person, sometimes dealing with complainants who may require unique accommodation or may be frustrated and distressed by their experience with different government organizations.

Responsibilities

Receive and assess complaints for early resolution of cases; take appropriate steps to facilitate resolution and/or obtain relevant information/documentation for review
Assess complaints to determine whether issues can be dealt with within the Ombudsman’s mandate; clearly and effectively communicate the rationale verbally and in writing
Triage complaints, prioritize and identify next steps for resolution or investigation
Draft interview plans and case assessments involving both individual and systemic issues with a focus on detailed fact-finding, fairness, timelines, and attention to detail
Write and/or assist in the preparation of high-profile special investigation reports including findings, analysis and recommendations.
Other duties as required.

Knowledge and experience

University or post-secondary degree in a field such as law, psychology, political science, public administration, social work, criminal justice
Minimum two years’ experience providing intake and complaint-handling services in provincial government organizations, including boards, tribunals and agencies, or in the municipal, university or school board sectors
Experience providing service to members of the public, including underserved and marginalized populations
Proven ability to interview members of the public and public sector officials at all organizational levels
Working knowledge of provincial government organizations, municipalities, universities, or school boards, as well as knowledge of the Ombudsman Act, Ombudsman Ontario jurisdiction, the government and its structures
Demonstrated experience preparing reports dealing with individual and systemic issues
Experience generating evidence-based and practical solutions to address complaints and persuading parties to adopt a course of action
Proficiency in oral and written communication in English and is required; proficiency in oral and written communication in French is an asset.

Required skills and competencies

Strong analytical skills and the ability to impartially and objectively assess relevant evidence
Ability to research, review and apply relevant legislation, regulations and policy
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal with emotionally charged situations and vulnerable complainants
Excellent organizational, caseload and time management skills to resolve issues quickly with an effective and thorough analysis
Ability to work to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to work effectively in a team-based environment, and be open to consultation and collaboration in determining appropriate strategies for complaints and inquiries
Proactive and innovative, with an ability to find creative solutions to improve quality of service
Capable of handling confidential, sensitive and personal information using good judgement and discretion.

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.

In addition to being dedicated to building a workforce that reflects diverse talent, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible experience. If you require an accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].

We thank you for your submission, however, only applicants selected will be contacted.