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Focus Area Information - Information and Information Technology (I&IT)

Our world is rapidly changing, and Ontario is blazing a trail as part of a global movement to transform the way that people interact with government. Technology is a core part of how we deliver high-quality services to Ontarians and how we equip our own organization to solve 21st century challenges.

As an Information & Information Technology (I&IT) intern with the Ontario Internship Program (OIP), you will have the opportunity to be part of a movement to drive innovation and excellence across government using technology. You will get hands-on experience solving real challenges both individually and in project teams.

People are what matter most — and we believe that if we work hard, work smart and work together, we can change government for the better. So, if you are someone who can deliver quick, creative solutions to complex, interesting problems, start your government career with us!

Areas of Expertise

Internships are available in 4 key areas:

  • Digital: Transform the way government services are delivered online
  • Application Development: Develop and support applications
  • Business Analysis: Define business problems and propose potential technology solutions
  • Data Analytics: Use data to create insights and inform decision making

Knowledge

  • Digital: Knowledge of user research and testing methodologies, agile methodologies, content design and editing, product design, product management, front-end coding (e.g. HTML 5, CSS3, Javascript), web application development/integration (e.g. APIs), web analytics, journey/empathy mapping, and ability to interpret standards and policy (e.g. accessibility, privacy, security, service design)
  • Application Development: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to design, develop and test applications in a variety of stacks (e.g. J2EE, .NET, LAMP, MEAN), including system architecture and integration. Understands basic activities and deliverables associated with agile project development and application design. Ability to interpret standards and policy (e.g. accessibility, privacy, security)
  • Business Analysis: Ability to understand, synthesize and translate business needs into effective technology solutions. Skills include documenting requirements, researching solutions, conducting feasibility studies, developing project plans and technology roadmaps
  • Data Analytics: Ability to understand, synthesize and communicate using quantitative data to support business decisions. Develop analytical models using Data Science to understand patterns, trend and uncover new insights. Experience with database design, data validation, data quality analysis, data cleansing, anonymization, extraction, transformation, and loading. Awareness of Cloud technology platforms, such as Azure (Azure Data factory, Azure Data Bricks, Azure Machine Learning) and Amazon Web Services. Knowledge of analytics and AI tools and languages (Python, R, Tableau, SQL, Cognos, Google Analytics, Microsoft Power BI, Excel PowerPivot, etc).

Skills

  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Communication: present information via traditional and digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Concern for quality and standards: check and/or monitor work quality and processes, set standards and be accountable for meeting performance measures
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners while colleagues and demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks and manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines

What to Expect

As an I&IT intern you can expect to work with great teams on complex problems. Depending on your area of expertise, you can expect to work on:

Digital

  • Designing simple, user-centric websites and online services
  • Collecting and analyzing data, re-engineering business processes and quantitatively measuring performance
  • Use subject matter expertise to support the development of new government strategies, standards and policies (or updating existing ones) for the digital age

Application Development

  • Creating applications, providing both technical (programming) and business (client service) support
  • Applying technical knowledge and project management skills for special assignments
  • Analyzing requirements and designing systems to meet business needs

Business Analysis

  • Assisting with the development of IT strategies and business plans which will shape the Ontario Public Service’s (OPS) use of technology now and in the future
  • 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

Data Analytics

  • Evaluating and deriving meaningful information from data using statistical methods and forecasting models
  • Using data to visually communicate program performance, as well as leverage data visualisation to augment policy research and program design methods
  • Conducting business and systems analysis to determine data trends and what they mean
  • Performing data validation, data quality analysis, data cleansing, anonymization, extraction, transformation and loading

Looking Ahead

OIP is just the start to your career in the OPS. Here are just a few examples of government jobs that flow from the OIP Information & Information Technology stream:

  • Application Developer
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Performance Specialist
  • Data Analyst/Scientist
  • Data Architect
  • Digital Advisor
  • Front-end Developer
  • Information Architect
  • Product Manager
  • Project Coordinator
  • Systems Analyst
  • Systems Developer
  • Technical Architect
  • User Experience Specialist

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