Division & Section: Legal Unit
Work Location: 483 Bay St., Toronto (Hybrid work subject to operational requirements)
Job Type & Hours: Permanent, Full-time - 36.25 hours per week
Salary: $107,343 - $161,015
Union Affiliation: Excluded
Open positions: 1
Posting Period: October 8, 2024 – November 10, 2024
Work Location: 483 Bay St., Toronto (Hybrid work subject to operational requirements)
Job Type & Hours: Permanent, Full-time - 36.25 hours per week
Salary: $107,343 - $161,015
Union Affiliation: Excluded
Open positions: 1
Posting Period: October 8, 2024 – November 10, 2024
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.
The Legal Unit actively works across all departments of the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office to help improve practices, policies, and legislation within the public sector. Legal Counsel has primary responsibility for investigating complaints concerning openness and transparency within municipal government. Working within a collaborative team, each Counsel also carries their own caseload and provides legal advice and support in other areas of our mandate.
The Legal Unit actively works across all departments of the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office to help improve practices, policies, and legislation within the public sector. Legal Counsel has primary responsibility for investigating complaints concerning openness and transparency within municipal government. Working within a collaborative team, each Counsel also carries their own caseload and provides legal advice and support in other areas of our mandate.
Responsibilities
- Conducts investigations into complaints about the openness and transparency of municipal and school board meetings, including interviewing witnesses; identifying, obtaining, reviewing and analyzing relevant documentation; working to tight timelines; and producing reports on the results of investigations. Counsel may also conduct investigations involving other areas of jurisdiction.
- Manages a diverse caseload of complex complaints across our provincial, municipal, university, school board, child protection, and French language services areas of mandate.
- Works on internal policy development and contract preparation, as well as conducts staff training.
- 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.
- Participates in outreach activities such as conferences, symposia and other events relevant to the Ombudsman’s role and function.
Qualifications
- Must be currently licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, 2 to 4 years of experience as legal counsel is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in relevant areas of practice such as administrative, education, child and youth, municipal, or language-rights law and experience in conducting administrative investigations is considered an asset.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of handling emotionally charged situations and dealing with a diverse range of organizations and complainants.
- Superior research and analytical skills with 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, including 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.
Additional requirements
- Please include a cover letter with your résumé, describing your experience/achievements working in relevant areas of practice such as administrative investigations, and/or administrative, education, child and youth, municipal, or language-rights law, 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 careers@ombudsman.on.ca.
We thank you for your submission, however, only applicants selected will be contacted.
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