The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) is an independent office of the Ontario Legislature and provides oversight of Ontario's access and privacy laws (the Acts). These laws establish the rules for how Ontario's public institutions, health care providers, children's aid societies and other child and family service providers may collect, use, and disclose personal information. They also provide the public with a right of access to government-held information and access to their own personal information while ensuring that any personal information held by public institutions, health care providers and child and family service providers remains private and secure.
As part of its mandate, the IPC contains an administrative tribunal within its Tribunal and Dispute Resolution Division (TDRD). Among its important functions, TDRD:
• Resolves access to information appeals and complaints when government, health care practitioners and the child welfare sector refuse to grant requests for access or correction; and
• Investigates privacy complaints and reported breaches with respect to personal and/or personal health information held by government institutions, health information custodians and the child welfare sector.
TDRD's Early Resolution Department is comprised of Early Resolution Analysts who are dedicated to upholding the access and privacy rights of the people of Ontario. The IPC has a robust Early Resolution stage, where approximately 50% of all cases submitted to the Tribunal are either resolved or dismissed.
About the job
You will process access and privacy complaints and investigate privacy breaches (including cybersecurity incidents) reported to the IPC by government institutions, heath information custodians and the child welfare sector, by:
• Communicating the objectives and procedures of the Acts and tribunal procedures to stakeholders.
• Investigating the circumstances and gathering facts surrounding access and privacy complaints and self-reported breaches.
• Utilizing early resolution strategies, such as alternative dispute resolution methods, to seek resolutions for access and privacy complaints.
• Interpreting a broad range of legislation to analyze and determine their applicability to access and privacy rights under the Acts.
• Conducting research, analyzing past precedents, and where possible, providing parties with advisory opinions on the likely outcome of the access or privacy complaint.
• Acting as a delegated decision maker under the Acts by:
o Dismissing cases that should not proceed further through the Tribunal processes,
o Soliciting written representations from the parties, conducting research, analyzing past precedents, and issuing final written decisions with reasons including certain types of orders.
o on occasion, provide and organize peer training, knowledge transfer, and may be asked to act as a mentor to new analysts.
What you bring to the team
Knowledge:
• Post-secondary education in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience processing a caseload in a public sector administrative tribunal and/or health sector regulatory body, and/or similar organization.
• Understanding of administrative law concepts.
• Understanding of the provisions and the operation of FIPPA, MFIPPA, PHIPA, and CYFSA.
Interpersonal and Relationship Management Skills:
• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of citizens including those individuals who exhibit adverse and/or demanding behavior.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, management and with stakeholders.
• Experience with alternative dispute resolution.
• Ability to work both independently as well as act as an effective team member.
Analytical, Research and Project Management Experience:
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, able to manage a large caseload.
• Well-developed analytical/problem solving skills.
• Ability to plan and conduct extensive research and prepare written reports and recommendations.
• Experience conducting investigatory interviews.
Communication and Presentation Skills:
• Excellent oral communication skills to respond to issues and provide recommendations.
• Strong written communication skills to prepare reports and promote initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience using standard computer software applications (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, Microsoft 365) to research and prepare materials.
Asset Qualifications:
• Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) in French.
• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CIPP, CIPT, CISSP) are not required but are considered an asset.
• Law degree/legal training.
• Experience in conducting:
o Security vulnerability assessments and/or penetration testing,
o Conducting data breach investigations and recovery/mitigation activities; and
o Conducting security and/or privacy audits.
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, Comprehensive Health Plan, and Life and Disability Insurance. (optional for temporary employees)
Application Process:
Please apply through our website: IPCOntarioWe thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening, or an interview, will be contacted.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
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.
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. 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.
Traditional schooling is only one of many paths to knowledge and experience. If you're interested and feel you're a good fit for the role, apply.
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.