Oversight is a growth industry for grads to explore in Ontario.
Starting Jan. 1, Ombudsman Ontario now fields complaints about the province’s 21 publicly funded universities and 444 municipalities. This expansion of power is the result of Bill 8, Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, which also extended the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to school boards on Sept. 1, 2015.
And with this expansion in oversight comes employment opportunities.
“We are basically doubling the number of bodies we oversee. So, we are going to be growing in the next year – hiring mostly operational staff like early resolution officers and investigators,” said Barbara Finlay, Acting Ombudsman of Ontario.
The current office boasts a staff of 86, but looks to expand by 50 positions.
Finlay said the provincial watchdog isn’t looking for a particular ‘type’ of employee, rather they are looking for a particular set of skills.
“There is no real mould for an ombudsman. It is really a niche area,” Finlay continued. “University grads would most certainly have the skill sets we’re looking for – strong analytical skills, good communication skills, writing is an important part of the job, exposure to the public sector, good knowledge of governance and how government works.”
Law graduates often have the inside track on some of the jobs, but Finlay warned against any applicant limiting themselves because they don’t fit that category.
“Yes, we have tended to hire law grads. They are trained to question policies and procedures. They are used to working with legislation. To get through law school, you have to have good writing skills, analytical skills. You have to be a critical thinker,” she continued. “But we are not exclusive to hiring lawyers. Those skill sets can come out of any kind of postsecondary education or even life experience.”
There is also a demand for both English and French language skills.
Interested applicants should visit the Ontario Ombudsman website and click on ‘Careers’ for details on openings.