Focus Area Information

Human Resources

Human Resources in the Ontario Public Service

The Ontario Public Service is modernizing its human resources (HR) to deliver services that are strategic, process-smart, integrated, customer focused and cost effective.

HR professionals provide key strategic and operational support to clients in planning for and delivering on business priorities, and in developing and delivering modern enterprise human resource strategies, policies, programs and services that support the OPS as an employer of choice.

Skills and Abilities

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate a variety of skills and abilities including:

  • Customer service, to anticipate and identify the needs of the clients in order to provide better or more convenient services, while supporting the organization’s goals and objectives. Customers/clients may include the public, co-workers, other branches, divisions or ministries
  • Relationship management and consulting skills in order to build effective relationships with line managers to help them strategically manage their human resources to achieve organizational goals, and to work in a team-based work environment where there is shared responsibility for achieving organizational goals
  • Written and verbal communication skills to articulate HR strategies, initiatives, options and advice, to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues regarding HR decisions and outcomes
  • Ability to interpret and apply legislation, collective agreements and policies, such as Ontario Labour and Employment Legislation, multiple collective agreements and a wide range of HR policies, procedures and guidelines related to recruitment, health, safety and wellness, performance management, and learning and development
  • Work management and organizational skills to manage multiple activities for the accomplishment of a defined set of desired end results. This includes prioritizing tasks, managing workload, time management, and workplace organization and the ability to meet deadlines.

What to Expect

As a human resources intern, your work could include:

Strategic Human Resources

  • Develop ministry related workforce reports to support business decisions
  • Analysis of ministry workforce trends, gaps and opportunities to inform strategy development
  • Develop and implement change management strategies to support achievement of ministry business objectives, including organizational assessment/diagnostics
  • Develop and deploy employee engagement programs
  • Implement/report on corporate HR plans and programs at the ministry level.

Regional Human Resources Service Delivery

  • Provide quality service-oriented advice to clients by interpreting and applying appropriate legislation, collective agreements, policies and procedures
  • Provide advice and coaching to front-line managers on a variety of HR management issues.

Regional Recruitment Service Delivery

  • Provide end-to-end recruitment services for all positions (excluding executive group)
  • Provide proactive outreach and strategic recruitment initiatives for the region
  • Interpret and apply appropriate legislation, collective agreements, policies and procedures when providing advice to clients
  • Provide employee advisory services including interview coaching, resume writing and advice on learning and development
  • Regional responsibility for administration of job trades, job transfers and lateral transfers.

Enterprise Human Resources Services

1) Employee Health, Safety and Wellness
  • Assist in providing specialist services to line mangers, OPS employees and HR business units in the areas of workforce health and safety, ergonomic education and assessment, workplace safety audits and injury support
  • Participate in the development of corporate wellness programs and implementation planning
  • Research health and safety issues and related legislation.
2) Total Compensation Services
  • Participate in the design, documentation and determination of the work performed in the OPS by developing, writing and classifying job descriptions
  • Work with Job Evaluation Consultant to respond to and defend classification grievances with programs manager
  • Support the development, maintenance, management and controllership of the OPS job evaluation process, policies, standards and practices.
3) Enterprise Executive Services
  • Support talent management activities, assess learning needs and participate in development of learning solutions
  • Support and participate in executive recruitment activities.
4) Centre for Learning
  • Support the regional delivery of OPS training, courses and program curriculum.
5) HR Policy and Planning
  • Develop, review and analyze workforce reports and metrics
  • Participate in the development of corporate HR policies and strategy.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service.

An internship is an opportunity to learn and develop your human resources skills in the public service. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a/an:

  • Human Resources Advisor
  • Employee Mobility Coordinator
  • Recruitment Consultant
  • Job Evaluation Consultant
  • Organizational Capacity Consultant
  • Workforce Planning Analyst
  • Workforce Health and Wellness Advisor.