Case Lead, Expedited Appeals

Are you a hard-working individual with a keen interest in access to information, who approaches issues with a creative and innovative lens and explores the most expeditious way to resolve them?

We have an exciting opportunity to join the newly created Expedited Appeals Team in our Tribunal and Dispute Resolution Division. The Expedited Appeals Team will play a critical role within the IPC in finding creative and innovative procedures and processes to expeditiously resolve appeals and complaints with straight forward issues as part of a two-year pilot project.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) is an administrative tribunal responsible for the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and Part X of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) (collectively, the Acts).

Under the Acts, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Tribunal and Dispute Resolution Division (TDRD):

• Resolves access to information appeals and complaints when government or health care practitioners and organizations refuse to grant requests for access or correction;
  
• Investigates privacy complaints with respect to personal information held by government institutions or personal health information held by health care practitioners and other organizations;
  
• Conducts research into access and privacy issues;
  
• Comments on proposed government legislation and programs; and
  
• Educates the public about Ontario's access and privacy laws and current issues affecting access and privacy.

What can I expect to do in this role?

As a Case Lead, Expedited Appeals, you will:

• Respond to, monitor, resolve and decide cases using the established Expedited Appeals policies and procedures for cases selected and assigned for expedited inquiry/review under the Acts.
  
• Manage a caseload of cases, working within established timelines in a procedurally fair and expeditious manner.
  
• Interpret a broad range of legislation and relevant case law to analyze and determine their applicability to access rights under the Acts.
  
• Communicate the workings of the Acts to appellants and complainants, outlining the objectives and procedures within the TDRD.
  
• Conduct research, analyze past precedents, and where possible, provide parties with a preliminary view on the issues of the cases and on the likely outcome of the cases.
  
• Efficiently review and assess cases and conduct further investigation and analysis as required, including guiding the possible settlement of matters in dispute, and preparing a final written report or order/decision where required.
  
• Assist with the creation of templates for use in Expedited Appeals and ensure their upload to the IPC's case management database (CRIS).
  
• Use CRIS to accurately input all case details, actions taken and next steps.
  
• Assist the Manager, EAT in assessing the Expedited Appeal Team's handling of cases and its operations on the overall performance and timeliness of TDRD.
  
• Assist with the preparation of presentations and reports regarding the effectiveness, positives and areas for improvement based on the EAT project goals.
  Assist with bringing to the attention of the Manager, EAT the data required to monitor and direct the casework of the Expedited Appeals Team to ensure responsive results.
  
• Work with the Manager, EAT to identify appropriate cases and produce regular updates to ensure matters stay on track within specified service standards.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for this position by demonstrating:

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary education/degree in a discipline pertinent to the position, or an equivalent combination of education and experience working with the Acts.
  
• Experience communicating clearly and effectively with people, including those individuals who exhibit adverse and/or demanding behavior.
  
• Experience in FIPPA, MFIPPA, PHIPA and CYFSA and in the interpretation and application of complex legislation.
  
• Experience performing in a time-sensitive, caseload-driven environment that is subject to a high degree of scrutiny from the media and the public.
  
• Several years of experience in, and a superior ability:
  • resolving matters through the use of dispute resolution tactics;
  • interpreting the Acts to analyze and determine their applicability to access rights under the Acts; conducting research, analyzing past precedents, and where possible, providing parties with a preliminary view on the issues of a matter and on the likely outcome of the matter;
  • reviewing and assessing matters and conducting further investigation and analysis, as required, including guiding the possible settlement of matters in dispute; and
  • drafting high quality and timely final reports/letters/orders that clearly and succinctly explain the reasoning for decisions to dispose of a matter.

Knowledge Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of access and open/transparent government issues, including a sound understanding of the principles underlying Ontario's access to information laws.
  
• A solid understanding of administrative law concepts and access to information jurisprudence in Ontario.

Skills and Abilities

• Well-developed oral and written communication/interpersonal skills.
  
• Proven experience resolving files using dispute resolution techniques, and a strong customer service and resolution-oriented approach to conflict situations.
  
• Ability to demonstrate a strong positive, supportive, and results-oriented attitude.
  
• Well-developed organizational and time management skills to handle a high volume of files and expeditiously resolve files within established timelines, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, case-driven environment.
  
• Ability to apply appropriate judgement and knowledge according to the varying circumstances of individual files and situations.
  
• Well-developed information-seeking, research, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Experience using standard computer software applications (e.g., word processing spreadsheet, Microsoft 365) to research and prepare materials.

Asset

While not a requirement for this role, it will be considered an asset if a candidate has one or more of the following:

• Law degree
  
• Experience writing orders/decisions in an administrative tribunal setting.
  
• Plain language writing proficiency.
  
• Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) in French.

What's in it for you?

• A modern organization with a flexible hybrid work model with in-office attendance at a minimum of 5-10 days per month.
  
• Commitment to continuous learning and developmental opportunities for all its employees.
  
• Work with an innovative and high performing organization committed to creating a positive organizational culture and highly dedicated to its mission of advancing the privacy and access rights of Ontarians.
  
• A defined benefit pension plan (optional)

Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism:

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and promoting a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful, and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. We also believe in the importance of providing services to Ontarians in both official languages and encourage interested bilingual candidates to apply particularly for public facing positions.

Notes:

• OPS & IPC Reciprocal Staffing Agreement: The IPC has a Reciprocal Staffing Agreement with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) that enables IPC employees to apply to positions with the OPS.
  
• Qualified List Information: A list of qualified candidates will be established for the Human Resources Consultant position in the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and will be in effect for twelve (12) months from the date the list is created. Qualified candidates on the list may be considered when filling future permanent and/or temporary vacancies in this position.

Collection of Information

Your personal information is being collected and will be used to determine your qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for recruitment modernization initiatives. OPS Careers is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25 and this collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers.

Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.

If you have any questions about the collection, use, disclosure, or retention of your personal information, please contact us.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Tuesday, February 27, 2024 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.