Senior Counsel
Top Benefits
About the role
Division: Legal Unit
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: Permanent Full-time - 36.25 hours per week
Hiring Range: $131,962 - $164,953
Posting Period: Position will be posted until filled
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. The work of the Office involves investigating serious and complex cases, preparing investigative reports, negotiating changes to practices, policies and legislation, and providing legal advice and support to the Ombudsman’s operations. Reporting to General Counsel, Senior Counsel is responsible for managing a team and supporting General Counsel to carry out the strategic direction of the legal team through mentoring and leadership. The role also includes responsibilities for leading project work and oversight of the legal student program.
Key Responsibilities Include But Not Limited To Leadership and Mentoring: Guide and support legal staff by fostering professional growth and maintaining a high-performance culture. Set clear expectations and provide constructive feedback to enhance team effectiveness.
Strategic Alignment: Align team activities with the Ombudsman’s strategic plan, ensuring effective resource utilization while addressing risks and achieving organizational objectives.
Program Management: Oversee the legal student program, creating robust learning opportunities and fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing to build organizational capacity.
Operational Support: Collaborate with operations teams to address systemic issues, conduct training sessions to enhance organizational knowledge, and ensure operational goals are met.
Case Management: Manages team members’ handling of complex cases and projects involving legal issues. Provides legal and strategic advice and guidance to operational units on the handling of complex, technical and sensitive matters. Applies sound judgment and upholds ethical standards in all actions, ensuring adherence to principles of fairness and independence. Directly manages a caseload of complex cases, issues and projects as required.
Complaints Resolution and Investigations: Provides support for the investigation and review of individual and systemic complaints, including the production of reports, formulation of recommendations and identification of best practices. Engages with public sector officials to resolve complaints effectively and improve service delivery through consensus-building and best practices adoption.
Legal support and representation: Provides legal advice and support to corporate functions of the office, including in the review of contracts and service agreements, resolution of disputes and advising on legislative compliance matters. Represents the Office in responding to complaints and litigation in selected matters.
Qualifications
- A license in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Minimum of 5 years experience in administrative or public law, with a minimum 2 years additional experience in a leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated experience in administrative investigations and strategic problem-solving.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Leadership and decision-making capabilities, with a focus on achieving results.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to support, coach and mentor others.
- Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Deep understanding of the Ontario public sector and the role of the Ombudsman.
- Experience in child protection law, education law, municipal law, or French language rights would be considered an asset.
- An ability to work in French would be considered an asset.
Additional Requirements
- Please include a cover letter with your résumé, describing your relevant experience/achievements 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.
We thank you for your submission, however, only applicants selected will be contacted.
About Ontario Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial office of the Legislature that resolves and investigates public complaints about Ontario government organizations and municipalities, universities, school boards, child protection services, and French language services. The Ombudsman recommends solutions to individual and systemic administrative problems, and promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector.
Be part of a team that values your energy, problem-solving skills, and out-of-the-box thinking. We look for people who are empathetic and analytical, who think on their feet, and who are keen to innovate. Our team members are flexible and adaptable, efficient and innovative. If you’re smart, resourceful, and interested in making a real difference in the lives of people in Ontario, you should work here.
L’Ombudsman est un bureau indépendant et impartial de l’Assemblée législative que examine et règle les plaintes du public à propos des organismes du gouvernement de l’Ontario ainsi que des municipalités, des universités, des conseils scolaires, des services en français et des services de protection de l’enfance. L’Ombudsman recommande des solutions aux problèmes administratifs individuels et systémiques, et promeut l’équité, la responsabilisation et la transparence du secteur public.
Entrez dans une équipe qui apprécie votre énergie, vos aptitudes à la résolution des problèmes, vos capacités de pensée originale. Nous cherchons des gens capables d’empathie et d’analyse, aptes à penser de façon autonome et désireux d’innover. Les membres de notre équipe font preuve de souplesse, d’adaptabilité, d’efficacité et d’innovation. Si vous êtes intelligents, pleins de ressources, et souhaitez faire une vraie différence dans la vie des Ontariens, venez travailler avec nous.
ombudsman.on.ca Facebook: Ontario Ombudsman Twitter: @ont_ombudsman | @ont_ombudsmanfr YouTube: OntarioOmbudsman
Senior Counsel
Top Benefits
About the role
Division: Legal Unit
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: Permanent Full-time - 36.25 hours per week
Hiring Range: $131,962 - $164,953
Posting Period: Position will be posted until filled
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. The work of the Office involves investigating serious and complex cases, preparing investigative reports, negotiating changes to practices, policies and legislation, and providing legal advice and support to the Ombudsman’s operations. Reporting to General Counsel, Senior Counsel is responsible for managing a team and supporting General Counsel to carry out the strategic direction of the legal team through mentoring and leadership. The role also includes responsibilities for leading project work and oversight of the legal student program.
Key Responsibilities Include But Not Limited To Leadership and Mentoring: Guide and support legal staff by fostering professional growth and maintaining a high-performance culture. Set clear expectations and provide constructive feedback to enhance team effectiveness.
Strategic Alignment: Align team activities with the Ombudsman’s strategic plan, ensuring effective resource utilization while addressing risks and achieving organizational objectives.
Program Management: Oversee the legal student program, creating robust learning opportunities and fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing to build organizational capacity.
Operational Support: Collaborate with operations teams to address systemic issues, conduct training sessions to enhance organizational knowledge, and ensure operational goals are met.
Case Management: Manages team members’ handling of complex cases and projects involving legal issues. Provides legal and strategic advice and guidance to operational units on the handling of complex, technical and sensitive matters. Applies sound judgment and upholds ethical standards in all actions, ensuring adherence to principles of fairness and independence. Directly manages a caseload of complex cases, issues and projects as required.
Complaints Resolution and Investigations: Provides support for the investigation and review of individual and systemic complaints, including the production of reports, formulation of recommendations and identification of best practices. Engages with public sector officials to resolve complaints effectively and improve service delivery through consensus-building and best practices adoption.
Legal support and representation: Provides legal advice and support to corporate functions of the office, including in the review of contracts and service agreements, resolution of disputes and advising on legislative compliance matters. Represents the Office in responding to complaints and litigation in selected matters.
Qualifications
- A license in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Minimum of 5 years experience in administrative or public law, with a minimum 2 years additional experience in a leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated experience in administrative investigations and strategic problem-solving.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Leadership and decision-making capabilities, with a focus on achieving results.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to support, coach and mentor others.
- Proven ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Deep understanding of the Ontario public sector and the role of the Ombudsman.
- Experience in child protection law, education law, municipal law, or French language rights would be considered an asset.
- An ability to work in French would be considered an asset.
Additional Requirements
- Please include a cover letter with your résumé, describing your relevant experience/achievements 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.
We thank you for your submission, however, only applicants selected will be contacted.
About Ontario Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial office of the Legislature that resolves and investigates public complaints about Ontario government organizations and municipalities, universities, school boards, child protection services, and French language services. The Ombudsman recommends solutions to individual and systemic administrative problems, and promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector.
Be part of a team that values your energy, problem-solving skills, and out-of-the-box thinking. We look for people who are empathetic and analytical, who think on their feet, and who are keen to innovate. Our team members are flexible and adaptable, efficient and innovative. If you’re smart, resourceful, and interested in making a real difference in the lives of people in Ontario, you should work here.
L’Ombudsman est un bureau indépendant et impartial de l’Assemblée législative que examine et règle les plaintes du public à propos des organismes du gouvernement de l’Ontario ainsi que des municipalités, des universités, des conseils scolaires, des services en français et des services de protection de l’enfance. L’Ombudsman recommande des solutions aux problèmes administratifs individuels et systémiques, et promeut l’équité, la responsabilisation et la transparence du secteur public.
Entrez dans une équipe qui apprécie votre énergie, vos aptitudes à la résolution des problèmes, vos capacités de pensée originale. Nous cherchons des gens capables d’empathie et d’analyse, aptes à penser de façon autonome et désireux d’innover. Les membres de notre équipe font preuve de souplesse, d’adaptabilité, d’efficacité et d’innovation. Si vous êtes intelligents, pleins de ressources, et souhaitez faire une vraie différence dans la vie des Ontariens, venez travailler avec nous.
ombudsman.on.ca Facebook: Ontario Ombudsman Twitter: @ont_ombudsman | @ont_ombudsmanfr YouTube: OntarioOmbudsman