The Office of the Employer Adviser (OEA) helps employers across Ontario understand their rights and responsibilities related to workplace safety and insurance. We provide advice, education, and representation, and we are committed to fairness, access to justice, and a respectful, inclusive workplace.
We are hiring an Employer Representative to join our legal team. In this role, you will help employers with workplace reprisal cases and workplace safety and insurance appeals. You will do this by providing legal advice, representing employers in hearings, and sharing clear information to help them understand the process. This role supports fair access to representation in a changing legal environment.
About the job
As part of a professional, collaborative team, you will:
• represent and defend employers in reprisal complaints under section 50 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act before the Ontario Labour Relations Board and grievance arbitrators.
• represent employers in complex and potentially precedent-setting appeals before the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).
• prepare for and participate in mediations, and hearings, including interviewing and preparing witnesses, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and making oral and written submissions.
• conduct legal research and analysis of legislation, policies, and jurisprudence related to workplace safety, insurance, labour, and employment law.
• provide authoritative advice and interpretation on the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and other related legislation.
• develop and deliver education and training materials for employers, stakeholders, and OEA staff.
• contribute to policy analysis, guidance documents, and internal knowledge building initiatives.
• build strong, respectful working relationships with employers, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Note: This role may involve travel and occasional irregular or extended work hours to meet operational and hearing requirements.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory requirements
• the position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G driver's license or equivalent. The offer of employment is conditional on the successful candidate providing proof that they have a valid driver's license before being hired.
• you must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario and authorized to provide legal services in Ontario.
Legal and technical knowledge
You have:
• knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to advise and represent employers in health and safety reprisal complaints
• knowledge of workplace safety and insurance legislation, including the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) and applicable regulations
• knowledge of Ontario Labour Relations Board policies and procedures, WSIB and WSIAT policies and procedures, and administrative law principles.
• knowledge of medical and legal terminology regarding workplace accidents and health and safety matters
• understanding of rules of evidence and quasi-judicial hearing processes
Advocacy, analysis, and judgment
You have:
• strong advocacy skills, including examination and cross-examination of witnesses and legal argument.
• the ability to analyze complex legal and factual issues, assess merit, and develop effective representation strategies.
• sound professional judgment in advising clients and resolving disputes.
Communication and relationship-building
You have:
• clear, respectful oral and written communication skills.
• the ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language.
• experience conducting presentations, training sessions, or information briefings.
Organization and self-management
You have:
• the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in an independent, professional environment.
• strong planning, coordination, and case management skills.
Technology and digital tools
You have:
• proficiency using standard office software, legal research tools, and electronic case management systems.
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:
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
This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:
• a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
• group health, dental, life and disability benefits
• a range of vacation and leave options
• an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services