Overview

A career in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is driven by a passion for creating a stronger Ontario. If you share this ambition, we are fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace where employees have the tools and opportunities they need to be fulfilled and inspired to move Ontario forward. We welcome new ideas and new people, encourage learning and development, and reward achievement. We also offer challenging work and competitive pay and benefits.

With government involved in so many different lines of business, working in the OPS offers a tremendous range of exciting career opportunities.

Career opportunities

We have a wide range of meaningful and rewarding career opportunities in communities across Ontario.

With government involved in many different lines of business, working in the OPS offers a tremendous range of exciting career opportunities.

For example, some of the areas we hire for include:

  • business and finance
  • customer and client services
  • environment and wildlife
  • human resources and labour relations
  • IT and information management
  • marketing and communications
  • policy and analysis
  • program delivery
  • social services
  • science and engineering, and
  • many more

Mission and values

The OPS’  mission is taking pride in strengthening Ontario, its places and its people. Our values are:

  • inclusion: respecting the dignity and human rights of every person so they feel welcomed, valued and like they belong
  • integrity: demonstrating trust, honesty, accountability and impartiality
  • excellence: delivering high quality and timely public services and programs

Our workplace

The Ontario government is divided into ministries. Each ministry has an elected minister who is accountable to the Legislative Assembly and the public. The cabinet is comprised of the Premier and the ministers.

The head of the Ontario Public Service is the Secretary of the Cabinet. The head of each ministry is the deputy minister.

In the OPS, we embrace a shared sense of purpose to serve 16 million Ontarians and provide opportunities for employees to make a meaningful impact in their communities. We provide learning and training opportunities only possible within an organization with presence in over 70 municipalities and encourage mobility between ministries and job functions.

Guided by our mission and values and governed by rules set out in the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 (PSOA), we support the government by providing honest, impartial and objective advice; carrying out its decisions and policies; and administering services to the highest professional standards.

The hiring process

We invite interested individuals of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where employees have the tools and opportunities they need to be fulfilled and inspired to move Ontario forward.

We are also committed to a hiring process that is fair for all applicants, including providing individualized accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Learn more about how to apply and our hiring process.

Leadership

A career as an Ontario Public Service leader offers:

  • innovative, complex and challenging assignments
  • opportunities for career growth and personal development
  • an enriching and fulfilling career in the field of your choice

Learn more about Ontario Public Service leadership opportunities.

Canadian Armed Forces Veterans

Canada’s former military personnel have a range of skills and experience that the Ontario Public Service values, including high-quality leadership and team-building skills. We support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veterans by making it easier for them to access OPS employment opportunities.

To improve CAF veteran access to OPS employment opportunities, veterans can apply to internal (“restricted”) competitions for non-represented (for example, non-unionized) positions in the OPS.

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). If you are a CAF veteran, you should mention this in your cover letter or resume when applying for OPS job competitions. This may be considered prior to an offer of employment in Management Compensation Plan, excluded and executive competitions. This does not apply to CAF veterans who are OPS employees, nor does this apply to active members of the Canadian Armed Forces. 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).

To learn more about how to access and apply to these jobs, please visit the OPS Veterans’ job alert subscription service. You may also receive alerts for “open” job postings on our OPS Careers website by subscribing to this service.

We appreciate the service of CAF personnel and will help ensure that veterans working in the OPS can build a successful career.

Students and new professionals

Students and new professionals can gain access to a variety of information and support programs, including:

  • work experience, internship and summer employment programs
  • career advice
  • labor market information
  • skills training

Learn more about OPS opportunities for students and new professionals.

Summer employment opportunities

The OPS offers various positions for students interested in developing new skills and gaining experience. 

Here are the top three reasons to apply for Summer Employment Opportunities:

  1. Learn: Jump start your career, whether you want to learn business skills, use your French language skills, help out in a lab or work outdoors. Put the knowledge you’ve acquired at school into action.
  2. Grow: Enhance your skills and expand your network by working on projects, leading initiatives and sharing your ideas. Transfer the skills you learn to your future school and work experiences.
  3. Contribute: In addition to advancing your professional and personal skills, you will also give back to your community. Spend your summer working to support the interests of Ontarians!

Learn more about summer employment opportunities.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the following:

  • job advertisement
  • status of a competition
  • help with an application (e.g. disability accommodation)

Contact us