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
QUESTION: When are new job advertisements posted?
ANSWER: New job advertisements may be posted on any day, Monday through Friday,
so it is a good idea to check regularly. Go to
"How to Apply" for detailed instructions on how to search for the job you
want and information on our hiring process. If you can’t find what you are interested
in, you can ask to be notified by e-mail for up to nine months when new job advertisements
are posted that match the criteria or career stream you are interested in. See Job Alert Subscribe.
QUESTION: Are all Ontario Public Service job advertisements posted on this site?
ANSWER: This website includes most Ontario Public Service employment job advertisements
open to the public.
Some job advertisements are posted on targeted websites to attract the most highly
qualified applicants. These advertisements are referred to as “open-targeted” and
are often used to attract unique or hard-to-fill skill sets such as nursing and
engineering positions. Any person can apply to these advertisements.
Where there is a strong internal Ontario Public Service candidate pool, a manager
may decide to restrict the advertisement to current staff. These advertisements
are not posted on the website.
QUESTION: How do I know if I am eligible to work for the Ontario Public Service?
ANSWER: To work in the Ontario Public Service, you must be a Canadian citizen, 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 374/10). To work anywhere in Canada, you need a social insurance
number (SIN) which you get from the
Government of Canada – Social Insurance Number website.
QUESTION: What is a ‘Commission public body’?
ANSWER: According to the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 (S.O. 2006, c. 35,
Sched. A), a “commission public body” is a public body that is prescribed as a Commission
public body under clause 8 (1.1) (b). A
list of Commission public bodies can be found on e-laws.
QUESTION: Is there a central place where I can send my resume to be considered
for future job openings that suit my qualifications?
ANSWER: No. You must submit an application (cover letter and resume) for each position
that you are interested in applying for. This website offers searches by region,
city, job category, salary range, bargaining group and job ID number. If you can’t
find what you are interested in, you can ask to be notified by e-mail for up to
nine months when new jobs are posted that match the criteria or career streams
you are interested in. See
Job Alert Subscribe .
QUESTION: How do I find out more about a particular ministry that I am applying
to?
ANSWER: The following website provides a list of all
ministry websites.
QUESTION: How can I find out about student work experience, internship and summer
employment programs in the Ontario Public Service?
ANSWER: The Youth
and New Professionals portal on this website provides convenient access
to an array of
Ontario Public Service 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).
QUESTION: Do Ontario Public Service jobs change when the government changes?
ANSWER: No, the Ontario Public Service 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, visit the section Role of the Public Service.
QUESTION: What is the difference between a permanent and a temporary position?
ANSWER: A permanent position is one where there is no defined employment end date
and the employee is entitled to a benefits package. A temporary position is one
that has a contract start and 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.
QUESTION: The Ontario Public Service mission refers to a public service oath.
What is the public service oath?
ANSWER: There are two oaths in the
Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 (the governing employment legislation
of the Ontario Public Service). The Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance. All
public servants have to make or affirm the oaths as required by the Act.
Ontario Regulation 373/07 describes the rules and administrative processes
for the Oaths and Affirmations.
QUESTION: Is being represented by a union a requirement for all Ontario Public
Service positions?
ANSWER: Not all positions are represented by a collective bargaining agent (union).
The job advertisement will indicate if a position is represented by a bargaining
agent. For a brief description of Ontario Public Service employee groups (bargaining
and non-bargaining), select
Understanding the Job Advertisement Definitions.
QUESTION: May I meet with a Talent Specialist to refine my resume and improve
my chances of being offered a position?
ANSWER: Units in the Ontario Public Service support hiring managers in the recruitment
process. They are not designed to provide employment advice or consultation to the
public.
You may find helpful information on the
hiring Process section of this website, which includes a resume writing
guide for Ontario Public Service positions.
Applying for a Job
QUESTION: How can I apply to a job advertisement?
ANSWER: You will find job advertisements on the Ontario Public Service Careers website. New advertisements are added daily.
The site contains information about the Ontario Public Service recruitment process
and tips for applying.
Job descriptions are often attached to the job advertisement and can be accessed
by clicking on the “view job description” icon.
It is recommended that you:
- Highlight the qualifications of the job advertisement in your resume and cover letter.
- Provide details about your skills and qualifications directly linked to the qualifications
in the job advertisement, and provide information to show how you have demonstrated
or applied these skills.
- Review and update your resume and cover letter for every advertisement.
- For more tips and tools on resume writing go to our
Ontario Public Service Careers website. From the main page, click on Hiring
Process (found on the left side of the screen).
Resumes must be submitted on or before the posted closing date (only until 11:59
PM). Resumes received after the closing date are not usually accepted.
Resumes for most positions must be submitted online. If you are unable to submit
online, alternate arrangements can be made in advance of the closing date through the Contact Us form.
When applying online you must upload your cover letter and resume in one file in
one of these formats: Portable Document Format (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc, docx),
plain text (.txt) or rich-text format (.rtf).
Limit your resume and cover letter to no more than five pages. Remember to always
quote the Job ID number in your application.
QUESTION: What formats are accepted when submitting an application online?
ANSWER: When applying online you must upload your cover letter and resume in one
file in one of these formats: Portable Document Format (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc,
docx), plain text (.txt) or rich-text format (.rtf).
Bullet points, boarders and electronic signatures are acceptable on a resume as
long as the file is less than 1MB in size and provided in the appropriate formats
as indicated above.
We recommend using Internet Explorer when browsing or applying.
Your combined cover letter and resume should not exceed five pages unless otherwise
stated.
QUESTION: How will I know that you have received my online application?
ANSWER: When you apply online and provide an e-mail address at the time of application,
you will receive an e-mail that you have successfully applied online. Only those
candidates invited to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted.
QUESTION: Will I receive confirmation of receipt of my resume if I apply through
e-mail/fax/mail?
ANSWER: Applications received via e-mail/fax/mail (where available) will not receive
confirmation. Only those candidates invited to continue in the evaluation process
will be contacted.
QUESTION: Should I customize my cover letter and resume to each job advertisement?
ANSWER: Yes. Your application will be assessed based on how strong your outlined
qualifications meet the ones outlined in the job advertisement. 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.
Your combined cover letter and resume should not exceed five pages unless otherwise
stated.
QUESTION: Can I check on the status of my application?
ANSWER: There are two ways to check the competition status:
(1) When you apply online and provide an e-mail address at the time of application,
you will receive an e-mail. It will contain a link that you can access to view where
we are in the hiring process for that position. Go to the
hiring steps section for a brief overview of what you can expect.
(2) If you do not have an acknowledgement e-mail, you can enter the Job ID number
into the search field on the main
Ontario Public Service Careers page. You will be directed to a copy of the
advertisement and the competition status. If the competition status is not available,
(e.g. you only see a copy of the job advertisement) the competition has yet to move
forward to the screening stage of the recruitment process.
QUESTION: Why can’t I find my city/town on the drop down menu of job locations?
I know there are Ontario Public Service jobs in my area.
ANSWER: The location drop down menu shows cities, towns and/or regions where there
is an active job advertisement. If there are Ontario government offices in your
location, it will display on the drop down list when a manager is actively recruiting
for a position. Check back regularly as job advertisements are updated on a daily
basis on the Ontario Public
Service Careers website.
QUESTION: I missed the deadline to apply, but I would still like to have my
application included. Is there anything I can do?
ANSWER: Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on the closing date. Job advertisements
are posted for ten working days and late applications are not usually accepted.
If there is a reason that you could not get the application in on time, Contact Us.
QUESTION: Can I ask for feedback if I don’t win a job competition?
ANSWER: 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 Ontario Public
Service.
QUESTION: I have a disability and require accommodation. Do I have to indicate
this on my application?
ANSWER: No. Disabilities are not mentioned in applications or discussed during the
evaluation process. 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.
QUESTION: Do any positions require use of the French language?
ANSWER: Yes, some positions require fluency in both French and English. The requirement
for “proficiency in English and French” will be stated in the job description and
the job advertisement. You must have this skill to be interviewed for the position,
and in most cases, you will be tested for your level of proficiency.
QUESTION: I am from another country. Am I eligible to apply to an Ontario Public
Service competition?
ANSWER: You may apply for a position within the Ontario Public Service before being
entitled to work in Canada. However, prior to accepting an offer of employment,
you must provide documents showing that you are legally allowed to work in Canada.
Information regarding Canadian immigration rules and processes can be found at the
Government of Canada website.
QUESTION: I saw an Ontario Public Service job advertisement on another website.
How do I find it on your careers website?
ANSWER: To apply for an advertisement for a position with the Ontario Public Service,
visit the Ontario Public
Service Careers website and enter the job ID number in the Job ID search
field.
QUESTION: Do I need to show proof of required employment security screening check in order to apply
to a competition?
ANSWER: No, you do not need an employment security screening check to apply to a competition. Where required,
an employment security clearance must be obtained before the start of employment in a position
requiring a check. A conditional job offer can be made, but the individual cannot
start employment until clearance is issued.
QUESTION: Where an employment security screening check is required for a position, where
do I go to obtain a screening check?
ANSWER: You are required to obtain a police record check from a local police service, the Ontario Provincial Police or a Royal Canadian Mounted Police accredited agency.
QUESTION: Do I need to disclose if I have previously worked for the OPS?
ANSWER: Yes. In accordance with the Ontario Pubic Service Employment Policy, all
external candidates (including former OPS employees) applying to a competition in
a ministry or a Commission public body must identify (either in the cover letter
or resume) prior OPS employment. This information must include the positions held,
dates of employment, and if applicable, any active restrictions on being re-employed
in the OPS. The circumstances of your exit will be considered prior to an offer
of employment.
QUESTION: What are active restrictions?
ANSWER: Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions.
For example, an active restriction may preclude a former employee from being offered
a position with the OPS for a pre-determined time period (e.g. one year), or from
being offered a position with a particular ministry (either for a specific time
period or indefinitely).
QUESTION: For applicants who exited the OPS from an OPSEU-represented position
prior to July 14, 2014, what is required if a re-employment restriction was established?
ANSWER: Disclosure of only active restrictions that are related to both the Ministry
and the position being applied for.
QUESTION: For applicants who exited the OPS from an OPSEU-represented position
on or after July 14, 2014, what is required if a re-employment restriction was established?
ANSWER: Disclosure of any active restriction is required as per s. 8.34 of the OPS
Employment Policy if the restriction was established on or after July 14, 2014.
Evaluation Process
QUESTION: What is the evaluation process?
ANSWER: The evaluation process consists of a variety of assessments and usually
includes an interview. This is the step in our hiring where we evaluate candidates
selected from all applications received during the job advertising period. Applicants
whose resume and cover letter best demonstrate how they meet the job qualifications
listed in the job advertisement 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, "Top Ten Interview Tips
for Preparing for an Ontario Public Service Job Interview".
QUESTION: How are people chosen for Ontario Public Service jobs?
ANSWER: We review all applications against predetermined selection criteria 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 section for additional details.
QUESTION: What can I expect from the interview?
ANSWER: 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 Ontario Public Service Job Interview".
QUESTION: Besides the interview, what other types of assessment are there in
the evaluation process?
ANSWER: We develop assessments based on the qualifications for 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.
QUESTION: If I am required to travel to participate in a selection process,
will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses?
ANSWER: The hiring manager will determine whether candidates would be reimbursed
for expenses. These decisions are made on a case by case basis. The hiring manager
must balance the need to hire the best candidate with the need to make sound financial
decisions. If you are contacted to participate in the selection process you can
clarify your eligibility for reimbursement for travel expenses with the hiring manager.
QUESTION: I have applied to several job advertisements and have not been invited
for an interview. What should I do?
ANSWER: One reason may be that we are still in the hiring process. We review 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” on the
"How to Apply" web page.
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 advertisement, you can look the person up
in the Info-Go
government directory. If you have applied to many job advertisements and
are not getting invited to interviews, it may indicate that your resume is not expressing
your skills and knowledge well. See "Top
Ten Interview Tips for Preparing for an Ontario Public Service Job Interview".
Navigating My Career
QUESTION: What types of careers can I find in the Ontario Public Service?
ANSWER: Running a province requires the dedication of professionals from all fields.
The Ontario Public Service 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.
QUESTION: If I begin my career in one ministry, am I locked in to work only
for that ministry?
ANSWER: Absolutely not. One of the advantages of working for the Ontario Public
Service 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.
QUESTION: Can I change my career path while I am employed in the Ontario Public
Service?
ANSWER: Yes. The Ontario Public Service 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.
Veterans
QUESTION: Who is considered a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran?
ANSWER: A CAF Veteran is any former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who successfully underwent basic training and is honourably discharged (definition from Veterans Affairs Canada).
QUESTION: I am a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran. Should I mention my status in my application?
ANSWER: If you are a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, you should mention this in your cover letter or resume when applying for Ontario Public Service (OPS) job advertisements. This may be considered prior to an offer of employment in Management Compensation Plan (MCP), excluded and executive competitions. This does not apply to Veterans who are currently OPS employees. If you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to bring an original copy of your proof of status (Veteran’s ID Card or Certificate of Service).
QUESTION: I am a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran. How do I get access to Ontario Public Service (OPS) restricted job postings for non-unionized positions?
ANSWER: If you are a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran, you can get access to OPS restricted job postings for non-unionized positions by visiting our OPS Veterans’ Job Alert Subscription Service webpage to learn more and sign up to receive job alerts for eligible positions of interest.
