Apply By: Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Senior Writer

Job ID:

232333

Posting status:

Open

Organization:

Ministry of Transportation

Division:

Deputy Minister's Office / Communications Branch

City:

Toronto

Position(s) language:

English

Job term:

1 Temporary - up to 12 months with possibility of extension

Job code:

02705 - Information Officer 3

Salary:

$1,600.57 - $1,958.46 Per week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is seeking a skilled writer with experience in crafting high-quality responses to correspondence on tight timelines. This role requires someone who stays calm under pressure and takes pride in producing excellent work.

Senior Writers in the Editorial and Corporate Services Office work as a collaborative team to ensure the ministry's Communications Branch delivers the highest quality correspondence services for the Minister of Transportation as well as supporting the coordination of timely ministry responses to general public inquiries to the MTO information mailbox and MTO's corporate social media accounts, and other ministry editorial needs. Our work includes using the eCorrespondence system to review and action incoming letters and emails for response in an accurate and timely way. This includes drafting, editing, formatting and sending replies as well as creating and sending proactive letters, greetings and congratulatory notes. Senior Writers also work on other priority writing and editing projects for the Communications Branch, including plain language reviews and edits of reports and public website content, and the creation of articles, blogs, scripts and speeches for public and internal employee audiences.

Note: These positions are located at 777 Bay St, Toronto; however, alternate work arrangements/locations may be available.

About the job

In this role, you will:

• research, write and edit complex and detailed responses to correspondence from elected officials, the public and stakeholder groups for executive (Minister, Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister) signature and ensuring it meets the ministry's service quality standards.
• consult with ministry staff to ensure the delivery of relevant technical and legislative information that educates and informs the public, elected officials and stakeholder groups.
• initiate reports and briefing material on the trends, contentious issues and potential policy implications raised by ministry correspondence.

What you bring to the team

Research, analytical and coordination skills:

• You have strong analytical skills to research, proofread and edit correspondence material and to assess client communication requirements and objectives for initiatives, recommending writing style and tone based on nature of objectives and audience.
• You have planning and coordination skills to facilitate responses between a variety of stakeholders.
• You have research skills to research, evaluate and interpret relevant information.

Communication skills:

• You have advanced oral and written communication skills to write accurate and effective correspondence and respond to inquiries and letters from assigned clients.
• You have knowledge of communication methods/techniques, research practices, and writing techniques with an excellent grasp of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• You have knowledge of editing practices/techniques for organization of text, and knowledge of writing styles to edit copy and research and recommend writing and style guidelines, e.g., use of new terminology.

Interpersonal, relationship management and customer service skills:

• You can develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with a wide range of government officials, management staff and other internal and external stakeholders.
• You have excellent interpersonal, consultative, and customer service skills and an ability to work with a range of clients at all levels within the organization and with representatives of outside organizations.
• You have strong organizational skills to prioritize work and meet deadlines under pressure.
• You have effective leadership skills to manage, and participate in, projects.

Technical knowledge:

• You have demonstrated experience applying knowledge of current organization activities, issues and trends to research and analyze information for the preparation of correspondence and communications material, participate in projects, and provide input into policies, and procedures.
• You can learn and apply knowledge of ministry mandate, policies, procedures, regulations, services, operations and organization to identify sources of information; prepare responses to correspondence; and anticipate/assess potential reaction and controversy related to ministry issues/activities.
• You are proficient with computer software, including word processing, e.g., Word, Excel, database management and electronic mail

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

• accessibility

• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.

We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more

Additional information:

Apply by:

Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Position details:

• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region

Compensation group:

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Work hours:

Schedule 6

Category:

Communications; Marketing and Creative Services

Posted on:

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Note:

• W-MT-232333/25

How to apply:

• You must apply online.

• Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.

• Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.

• Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.

• OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.

• If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.

Strengthening Ontario, together