FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs about jobs in the OPS. There are some additional FAQs in the Youth and New Professionals portal. If you can’t find what you are looking for, select the feedback button and send us a message. These questions and answers are organized under the following sections:
General
Q: When are new job ads posted?
A: New job advertisements are posted on the website weekly, so it is a good idea to check regularly. The job ads will usually remain on the website for at least 10 working days. If you have signed up for “Job Alert” through the online application process, you will be notified weekly for up to three months about new job postings that match the career streams that you interest you.
Q: Are all Ontario government jobs listed on this site?
A: This website includes all OPS employment job opportunities open to the public – all careers, all across Ontario. OPS jobs that are NOT advertised through this site include:
- Job competitions that are “restricted”, meaning for current OPS employees to apply only.
- Ontario Provincial Police – for information on recruitment of uniformed members of the OPP, civilian employees and instructors at the Ontario Police College. (Note: Only OPP Civilian job advertisements can be found advertised on OPS Careers)
- Physicians and Dentists – doctors and dentists who work in provincial psychiatric facilities and facilities for the developmentally disabled.
- Teachers working in province-run schools for deaf or blind elementary and secondary students and in provincial correctional institutions.
Q: How do I know if I am eligible to work for the OPS?
A: To work in the OPS, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or authorized in writing to work in Canada under the federal Immigration Act. You will only be asked for proof if an offer of employment is made to you. Anyone under the age of 16 must provide proof of participation in a prescribed program under the Supervised Alternative Learning for Excused Pupil Regulation (Education Act, Regulation 308). To work anywhere in Canada, you need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) which you get from the federal government.
Q: Is there a central place where I can send my resume to be considered for future job openings that suit my qualifications?
A: No. You must submit an application (cover letter and resume) for each position that you are interested in applying for. This website, OPS Careers, offers searches by region, city, job type, job ID #. This website also offers a Job Alert feature that allows you to receive e-mail notifications for up to three months when new jobs are posted that match the career streams you are interested in.
Q: How do I find out more about a particular ministry that I am applying to?
A: You can go to the ministry website from the home page of the provincial government at www.ontario.ca to find out more.
Q: How can I find out about student work experience, internship and summer employment programs in the OPS?
A: The Youth and New Professionals portal on this website provides convenient access to an array of OPS student work experience, internship and summer employment programs. It also provides access to many programs and supports provided by the Ontario government and its partners for youth and new professionals (for example, career advice, labour market information, skills training).
Q: Do OPS jobs change when the government changes?
A: No, the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is not political and does not change when a new government is elected. In this way, the continuity of programs and services is maintained. For more information, please visit the section “Role of the Public Service”.
Q: What is the difference between a permanent and a temporary position?
A: A permanent position is one where there is no defined employment end date and the employee receives a benefits package. A temporary position is one that has a defined duration of employment with a contract end date. Depending on the employee group, some temporary positions will come with an additional payment in lieu of certain benefits. Details will be provided under ‘more info’ within the job advertisement.
Q: The OPS Mission refers to a public service oath. What is it?
A: There are two oaths in the Public Service Act (the governing employment legislation in the OPS). Depending on your employment status, the Act sets out different requirements. Most OPS employees are required to take either or both. In taking the oath of office and secrecy, you declare that you will do your job to the best of your ability and keep the information that you come across in your work confidential. The oath of allegiance pledges loyalty to the Queen. You may either swear the oath invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing, or if you decline to swear, you may affirm.
Q: What is conflict of interest?
A: A conflict of interest is any situation where an individual’s private interests may be incompatible or in conflict with their public service responsibilities. A conflict of interest could occur when an individual/company could benefit from their relationship with a public servant. For example, an employee whose brother owns a large construction company is assigned as the lead for a project to select a company to build a courthouse. The brother is interested in the contract. In this case, the employee must report this potential conflict of interest to their manager in order for a resolution to be found. If a real or potential conflict is determined, the activity may be curtailed, modified or stopped in order to resolve the conflict.
Q: How do I know if I am in a conflict of interest situation when applying?
A: You will likely not know if you are in conflict of interest for the position until you discuss your concerns with the hiring manager when you receive an offer of employment. Upon acceptance of a job offer and your role as an Ontario public servant, you will be required to follow the conflict of interest provisions to ensure that your work and relationships are managed openly, fairly and transparently. For more information review the Conflict of Interest and Post-service Directive.
Q: Is joining a union a requirement for all OPS positions?
A: No, not all positions belong to an employee bargaining group. The job ad will indicate, if applicable, which bargaining group the position belongs to. Look under “Bargaining unit” in the job ad. For a brief description of OPS employee groups (bargaining and non-bargaining) select Job Ad Definitions.
Applying for a Job
Q: Can I apply online to any job ad?
A: Not yet. You may apply online if the job ad has an apply online icon. We are currently in a transition period so not every job ad allows you to apply online at this time. The other options are to send hard copy by mail or fax to the location or fax number in the job ad or to e-mail your job application to the e-mail address in the ad. Choose only one option for making your application. Don’t forget to quote the Job ID number in your application. Once we are through this transition period, all jobs will have the apply online icon.
Q: What is the best format to use for my online application?
A: When applying online, you must upload your cover letter and resume as one file in any one of the following formats: PDF, Word, plain or rich-text format (.pdf, .doc, .txt, .rtf).
Q: How will I know that you have received my online application?
A: After you submit your application online, you will receive an e-mail acknowledgement that will be sent to the e-mail address you provided as part of the online application process.
Q: Will I receive an acknowledgement if I apply through e-mail/fax/mail?
A: Due to the volume of applications that are received, we are only able to acknowledge applications received through our ‘Apply online’ system. Only those candidates invited to continue in the evaluation process will be contacted for an interview.
Q: Should I customize my cover letter and resume to each job posting?
A: Yes. Your application will be assessed based on how strong your outlined qualifications meet the ones outlined in the job posting. Only the top candidates will be contacted to participate in the evaluation process. You should customize your application to ensure that it clearly demonstrates how you are the best candidate for the job and meet the qualifications advertised.
Q: Can I check on the status of my application?
A: As part of the benefits to applying online, you may track which step we are in the hiring process. You must use the link provided in the acknowledgement e-mail that you received when you submitted your online application. If you applied for a position not using apply online, use the contact information that you applied with to find out the status of the job competition – be sure to reference the job ID #. If you have a contact name, you can look the person up in the government directory.
Q: Can I apply to a job posting by sending in a hard copy of my cover letter and resume?
A: Yes, you may send your hard-copy cover letter and resume quoting the job ID number by mail to the address given in the job ad or if available, by faxing it to the number in the job ad. However, if the option of online application is available, there are many advantages to applying online, such as an acknowledgement e-mail that we have received your application, along with a link you can access at anytime to see the status of the competition you applied for. You must use only one method to apply.
Q: Can I ask for feedback if I don’t win a job competition?
A: If you are interviewed for a job, you are encouraged to ask for feedback from the contact person who invited you for an interview. This feedback should be helpful if you are interviewed for another job opportunity in the OPS. Because of the volume of applications in an organization the size of the OPS, we do not routinely provide feedback for candidates who are not selected for an interview.
Q: I have a disability and require accommodation in the workplace. Do I have to indicate this on my application?
A: No, disabilities are not mentioned in applications or discussed during the evaluation process. We are an equal opportunity employer and this means that we will provide accommodation to people with disabilities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. For example, providing alternate formats for written materials, physical adjustments (chairs, workstations, keyboards, etc.) or technical aids/assistive devices. If you are chosen to participate in the evaluation process and require employment accommodation, tell the contact person what arrangements you need and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Q: Do any positions require use of the French language?
A: Yes, some positions require fluency in both French and English. The requirement for “proficiency in English and French” will be stated in the job ad. You must have this skill to be interviewed for the position, and in most cases, you will be tested for your level of proficiency.
Q: The Job Posting that I am looking to apply to says "candidates from this job posting may be used to fill similar positions with the same core functions within the region and within 125 km of the work location". What does this mean?
A: This means that applicants who progress through the selection process for this position, may also be eligible for the next 12 months for future positions, in the same ministry or other ministries, that are similar in nature and within 125 km from this position's work location.
Evaluation Process
Q: What is the Evaluation Process?
A: The evaluation process consists of a variety of assessments, usually including an interview. This is the step in our hiring where we evaluate the candidates selected from all the applications received during the job advertising. Applicants whose resume and cover letter best demonstrated how they met the job qualifications listed in the job ad will be invited to participate in this step. The evaluation process gives you the opportunity to show why you are the best person for the job. To learn more, see an overview of our hiring steps. See “Top Ten Interview Tips for Preparing for an OPS Job Interview.”
Q: How are people chosen for OPS jobs?
A: We screen all applications and choose the most qualified applicants to participate in the evaluation process. The evaluation process consists of a variety of assessments, usually including an interview. This gives you the opportunity to show why you are the best person for the job. We then offer the job to the best-qualified candidate. Also visit our Recruitment Philosophy.
Q: What can I expect from the interview?
A: You will be interviewed by a panel of people. Panel interviews are efficient, and support a fair and transparent recruitment process. Conducting one interview allows the candidate to be assessed for the position by more than one person at a time and requires the candidate to answer one set of questions. Panel interviews also allow for all candidates to be given the same time and respect by the same interviewers. The interviewers usually include the manager who has a job opening in his or her branch or office, a human resources representative and one other person. See “Top Ten Interview Tips for Preparing for an OPS Job Interview.”
Q: Besides the interview, what other types of assessment are there in the evaluation process?
A: We develop assessment based on the qualifications of the job. Assessments could include a written test, a presentation or other methods to identify the best qualified candidate for the job. For example, some positions may require good written, communication and analytical skills in an environment where there are tight time pressures. Candidates for this job will most likely be given a written test.
Q: I am living/studying outside Ontario. What will happen if I am invited to an interview for an OPS job?
A: It is common for out-of-province applicants to be interviewed by telephone. Decisions about paying for travel expenses for an in-person interview are made on a case-by-case basis.
Q: I have applied to several job advertisements and have not been invited for an interview. What should I do?
A: One reason may be that we are still in the hiring process. We review and screen every application that we receive which takes time. One of the advantages of applying online is that you can access the status of the job that you applied for at any time to see which step we are at in the hiring process. See “Check Your Application Status”. If your contact information has changed since sending your resume, and the hiring process has not reached the evaluation step be sure to provide the necessary updated information to the location where you submitted your application. If you have a contact name for the job competition, you can look the person up in the government directory. If you have applied to many job postings and are not getting invited to interviews, it may indicate that your resume is not expressing your skills and knowledge very well. See “Top Ten Interview Tips for Preparing for an OPS Job Interview.”
Navigating My Career
Q: What kinds of careers can I find in the Ontario Public Service?
A: Running a province requires the dedication of career professionals from all fields. The OPS offers a myriad of career opportunities in fields you may not have thought of – finance, transportation, education, even radio and TV. Imagine working for one employer with the opportunity to grow in the diverse array of careers that we offer. Learn more by checking out a sample from our 18 different career streams and browsing through available jobs by searching a category.
Q: If I begin my career in one ministry, am I locked in to work only for that ministry?
A: Absolutely not. One of the advantages of working for the OPS is that we are a large organization where employees can move and develop their careers across many ministries. For example, you may begin a career in communications in one ministry and later work for another ministry in a different operational role, such as managing a government program. People who are interested in career mobility can move within and between career fields.
Q: Can I change my career path while I am employed in the OPS?
A: Yes. The OPS is committed to fostering a climate of continuous learning where staff have access to a variety of learning opportunities and supports for career advancement. If you want to change your career path, learning opportunities are widely available to support your career transition. For more information, see Developing Your Potential.
