Focus Area Information

Information and Information Technology

Information and Information Technology in the Ontario Public Service

Whether it's applying for a birth certificate online, registering a new business or renewing a driver's licence at a ServiceOntario kiosk, the Ontario Public Service is known for its innovative work in Information and Information Technology (I&IT). We have won many awards for our work to improve government accessibility and service delivery through technology, and we are seen as leaders in the field. But that's not all. I&IT is integral to how government works on the inside. From researching new and exciting applications to establishing a new infrastructure service, I&IT helps the government get things done.

As an I&IT intern with the Ontario Internship Program (OIP) you will have the opportunity to be part of a team driving innovation and excellence across government. You will get hands-on experience working on real challenges both individually and in project teams. Creating new IT infrastructure, assessing system and business requirements and developing common services and applications are just a few of the interesting projects where former I&IT Interns have had the opportunity to produce results. The OPS is a unique place to work not just in terms of the vast scope of I&IT work being done, but because of the flexibility and mobility you have to advance your career with a single employer.

Start your career with us if you want to use your I&IT skills to help shape the future of government, and make a difference in the lives of Ontarians.

I&IT Areas of Expertise

Internships are available in a variety of areas.

  • Application Services: Develop applications and solutions for business portfolios and provide specialized technical development services and resources
  • Business Technology Solutions: Identify business problems and propose potential technology solutions
  • Information Management: Plan, evaluate and deploy information assets such as documents, data, electronic records etc. to support value-added work by establishing disciplined and consistent practices related to the end-to-end management of information throughout its lifecycle: planning, collection or creation, use and dissemination, maintenance, disposition and evaluation
  • Enterprise Architecture: Manage the enterprise’s key business, information, application, security and technology strategies and their impact on business functions and processes, governed by best practices, methods, standards and principles
  • Information Security: Administer the virus protection program, including developing standards, guidelines and best practices for security; educate and alert staff to potential security problems; provide guidance, including information on threat and risk analysis
  • Infrastructure Management: Operate IT infrastructure; lead and manage the development of common standards and policies, including common application systems, networks protocols, database management systems and protocols
  • Network Services: Plan, design, implement and manage integrated network facilities (including voice, data, facsimile, radio and office technologies)
  • System Management: Includes the management of disaster recovery, applications management, operating procedures and services levels, as well as associated agreements.

Skills and Abilities

Due to the varied nature of the I&IT work/opportunities available, we are seeking candidates who can demonstrate a variety of skills and abilities in at least one of the following areas:

Technical Skills and Abilities:

  • Application Design/Architecture: knowledge and experience with developing computer applications, and the ability to define the major steps or phases of creating an application. Having the understanding of basic activities and deliverables associated with application design, the technical architecture relevant to the specific environment. Can identify and describe the specific tasks, activities and deliverables of technical design, and is aware of technical architecture standards and considerations
  • Application Packaging and Deployment: ability to develop application installation packages and coordinate small to large scale application deployments and interface with ITIL Service Management best practices such as Change and Configuration Management
  • Business and/or Systems Analysis: ability to perform business and/or systems analysis for new and existing applications. Candidate should possess analytical and programming skills, and be detail-oriented. Should have experience with modern techniques/tools such as UML and Rational Unified Process. The candidate should be able to actively evaluate and analyze client needs to determine project linkages, conduct feasibility studies and develop IT strategies
  • Database Analysis and Administration: experience in analysis, design and administration of small to large-scale systems and databases including OLTP, OLAP and Spatial database platforms. This includes software installation and configuration, DB level backup/recovery
  • Enterprise Architecture: an understanding of the concepts, philosophies and tools behind the design of applications, information and underlying information technologies
  • Information Management: demonstrates knowledge and the ability to administer and communicate organizational practices, standards and procedures in the areas of information management, information access and privacy, knowledge management, library sciences and intellectual property. Ability to provide guidance and support for managing information assets, supporting corporate information architecture ande developing/monitoring data and document management policies and standards
  • Information Security: experience in planning, organizing, implementing and testing security on varied hardware, operating systems, database technologies, and communication networks. Knowledge of and basic experience in threat and risk analysis procedures, contingency planning and applying security in all phases of the Systems Development Life Cycle
  • IT Standards, Policies and Procedures: demonstrates knowledge and the ability to use and administer organizational practices, standards and procedures in the area of information technology and/or information management, information access and privacy and knowledge management
  • Programming: working knowledge of the syntax, structure, features and facilities of at least one language. Ability to read and interpret an application system design and program specifications. Ability to develop structured programming specifications
  • Web design and development: ability to design, develop and manage websites.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Candidates should also have some experience, or will be expected to develop skills, in the following:

  • Communicating effectively refers to effectively writing and orally presenting information in a clear, concise and accurate manner
  • Concern for quality and standards involves the ability to check and/or monitor work quality and processes, by insisting on standards and accountability for meeting performance measures
  • Customer service implies a desire to identify and serve customers who may include the public, colleagues, partners and peers
  • Problem solving involves understanding a situation by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, or tracing the implications step-by-step and working towards solutions
  • IT Project management refers to demonstrated knowledge and application of IT Project Management principles and specific techniques to define, plan, control, execute and complete the achievement of a defined set of end results
  • Team player refers to working co-operatively and collaboratively within a team or workgroups to achieve group and organizational goals
  • Flexibility refers to the ability to adapt to and work effectively within a variety of situations, and with various individuals or groups to achieve results
  • Information seeking skills refers to the desire to know more about things, people or issues and implies going beyond routine questions one would ask in the job
  • Innovation refers to being open to new ideas and taking new approaches, to go beyond the conventional, to find better ways of managing business processes and service delivery.

What to expect

As an I&IT intern your work could include:

  • Assisting with the development of strategies and business plans which will shape the Ontario Public Service’s (OPS) I&IT framework and infrastructure
  • Developing and communicating policies, standards and guidance on any number of I&IT initiatives (e.g. Supporting the development of government wide information management strategies and policy options relating to information access and privacy, privacy impact assessment, management of documents, data and electronic records, information planning, knowledge management and ownership and licensing of intellectual property rights etc.)
  • Creating user applications and web sites, providing both technical (programming) and strategic business (client usability) assistance
  • Researching and demonstrating products and common applications in cooperation with senior staff to find best-fit solutions for clients
  • Environmental scanning/research of industry best practices related to technology uses
  • Presenting and promoting branch services to clients, receiving feedback and making recommendations to management on services required by clients
  • Application development, systems analysis and design
  • Applying technical knowledge and project management skills for special assignments
  • Clearly articulating ideas both orally and in writing to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Performing business and systems analysis for new and existing applications
  • Participating in service and contract management activities related to I&IT functions
  • Analyzing and formulating responses to issues and problems
  • Participating as a member of project teams, and assisting in project-related duties.

Looking Ahead

The OIP is an excellent opportunity to start your career and expand your I&IT skills with the Ontario Public Service. The knowledge and experience you gain as an I&IT Intern will lay the foundation of a future career as a specialist in your field. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a/an:

  • Application Developer
  • Website Designer
  • Security Architect
  • Information Analyst
  • Information Management Specialist
  • Privacy Advisor
  • Technical Writer
  • Technical Standards Analyst
  • Database Administrator
  • Programmer
  • I&IT Policy Analyst
  • Project Management Analyst.