Career opportunities

Some relevant fields of study: Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, Public Administration.

OPC's administrative services officers are essential to efficient and smooth operations and may be required to:

• Provide administrative support and advice in human resources, finance,  information management, information technology, safety and/or health and security
• Conduct analysis of requests for services, apply central agency and departmental procedures, and identify courses of action
• Identify sources of information, research background material, undertake preliminary analyses of issues, and prepare correspondence, and/or briefing materials
• Provide advice and guidance to clients on processes, procedures and requirements, and coordinate the processing of requirements through internal or external service providers
• Research and coordinate the implementation of and/or develop options for new, or revisions to, policies, programs, procedures, guidelines and information management systems; oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of programs and services
• Participate in working groups responsible for the delivery of administrative services and organization/participation in special events
• Coordinate senior managers' schedules and direct the flow of information coming into and going out of the unit

Prerequisite: Secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternative.

Some relevant fields of study: Accounting,Business

Those involved in Clerical or Regulatory services at OPC could expect to:

• Perform routine administrative tasks, such as completing and processing documentation/forms for supplies, repairs and service; enter baseline information into automated systems
• Provide reception services such as answering routine inquiries on organizational services and products, re-direct calls to other organizational units, record and distribute messages
• Maintain systems such as, filing, correspondence tracking, Bring-Forward, as well as other transactional records such as petty cash, taxi vouchers, bills of lading for courier service
• Operate office equipment; reproduce, collate, and organize materials
• Type, proofread, input reports/texts from written or verbal instructions
• Make logistical arrangements for travel and conferences
• Research automated and manual information systems and recommend new procedures or formats
• Provide information and assistance regarding the organization's service and products.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternative.

Some relevant fields of study: Computer Programming, Computer Science, Information Technology, and Information Management

Our computer systems officers are primarily involved in the application of computer systems knowledge to the planning, development, installation and maintenance of information technology processing systems to manage, administer or support departmental programs and activities and take care of the IT infrastructure. Computer systems officers use leading-edge technology in a fast-paced and service-oriented environment, either individually or as part of a team.

Roles include:

• Administering a departmental network
• Providing systems operations and maintenance
• Configuring new hardware
• Performing systems analyses
• Providing help desk services
• Installing and testing new systems
• Providing LAN/WAN support
• Researching emerging technologies
• Data warehousing
• Policy and strategy development
• Provide expert advice to management and staff of the Office on the privacy implications of national security and public safety initiatives (including international information sharing arrangements, etc).

Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of an acceptable post-secondary educational program in computer science, information technology, information management or another specialty relevant to the position to be staffed.

Some relevant fields of study: Economics, Sociology, Statistics, Political Science, and Public Policy/Business Administration

OPC's policy and economic analysts are called upon to conduct regular environmental scanning, synthesis, analysis, and research activities to inform departmental knowledge and socio-economic issues.  They are responsible for researching privacy and technology issues to support policy development, investigations, audits and reviews, and administer the research program which supports research into and the promotion of the protection of personal information through building citizen awareness.   Roles include:

• Conducting research, analysis, and evaluation of policy issues
• Conducting research, intelligence gathering through a variety of sources; synthesizing and analyzing information / data; to assess the impacts and implications of personal privacy protections under the Act(s);
• Research legislation and jurisprudence in support of policy development and review of the legislations, recommend changes to the legislation and policy to meet rapidly evolving privacy protection.
• Participate in or conduct environmental scans to identify key issues and privacy trends;
• Provide research and policy advice to the management of the Office;
• Project manage privacy policy files involving coordination across many jurisdictions;
• Participate in national and international meetings and symposia to further understanding of international privacy interests of Canadians;
• Develop policy and advocacy positions, options and strategies to advance and protect the personal privacy interest of Canadians.

Prerequisite: Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in economics, sociology or statistics.

Some relevant fields of study: Accounting, Commerce, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, and Government of Canada Financial Management Certificate

The Financial Management Group comprises positions that are primarily involved in the planning, development, analysis, delivery or management of internal Public Service financial policies, programs, services or other related activities.

Our financial administration officers perform complex financial operations for OPC.  Roles include:

• Planning, organizing and participating in financial operations
• Provide advice on financial implications of policy and program proposals
• Developing and implementing processes, practices and procedures
• Preparing financial reports and information
• Monitoring financial operations
• Adapting procedures to meet business requirements
• Providing financial planning, analysis, advice and reporting.

Prerequisite: Post-secondary degree with specialization or eligibility for a recognized professional accounting designation (i.e., CA, RIA/CMA or CGA).

Some relevant fields of study: Library Science

Library science officers at OPC may be required to:

• Coordinate and deliver library and information services; manage the collection; contribute to the formulation of service strategies and business plans
• Review client requests; identify sources of information; gather data using manual and automated searching techniques; synthesize information; interact with clients and stakeholders to obtain and provide information
• Provide advice on library issues, trends and strategic directions; promote library strategies and service delivery with clients
• Lead and provide expertise to project teams and working groups on library strategies and initiatives; prepare analyses, briefings and reports; deliver presentations; represent the library on committees and in meetings; determine budget requirements and manage service contracts
• Develop and maintain electronic products and services such as bibliographic databases, Web sites, Internet, intranet and CD-ROM's
• Develop and deliver training to staff, colleagues and clients
• Consult, develop, evaluate and modify information management processes and procedures for the life cycle management of information holdings.

Prerequisites: Graduation from a recognized university with a master's degree in library science or in library and information science; or graduation from a recognized university with a bachelor's degree in library science or in library and information science for which another bachelor's degree was a prerequisite.

Some relevant fields of study: Communications, Marketing, Media, Multimedia, New Media, Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, Journalism, Graphic Design, Public Affairs, Policy Management, Social Sciences, Humanities, Advertising, Public Relations, Mass Communications, English or French Literature.

Employees in the IS category get the OPC’s message out to employees, the media, the public, and other government departments and agencies. They do so in a manner that ensures the Government of Canada's communication activities are well coordinated, effectively managed and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. Roles include:

• Management, development and implementation of communication strategies and plans that reflect the overall direction and priorities of the Government of Canada and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada with respect to privacy issues
• Provision of strategic advice and communications support to OPC staff and senior government officials that respects the Government of Canada's Communications Policy and relevant policies and legislation including the Official Languages Act and the Federal Identify Program.
• Planning and organizing of media announcements and special events on behalf of OPC and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• Management, development and production coordination of a range of internal and external communications activities, products and publications, including advertising, public opinion research and consultations, ministerial correspondence, media advisories, news releases, backgrounders, speeches, feature articles, fact sheets, newsletters, brochures and annual reports that promote and support the development of effective programs, policies and services
• Management, development and production of electronic communications delivered to both internal and external audiences through the OPC’s public website and an intranet site.
• Evaluation of media strategies through media monitoring and analysis and public opinion research.
• Provide strategic project planning and advice on corporate public outreach and public education projects, products and services
• Coordinate and implement consultations and activities in support of the Office’s public outreach strategy / program.

Prerequisite: A degree from a recognized university.

Educational Requirements: eligibility for membership in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada or in the Order of Notaries in the Province of Quebec

OPC’s lawyers are called upon to provide or comment on proposed laws / policies, conducting legal research, preparing litigation, training staff and engaging external stakeholders on legal aspects of privacy and protection of personal information, and developing and maintaining a legal resource centre for the Office.  Their roles include:

• Produce legal opinions for the Office on the administration and application of the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act as well as other federal and provincial legislation and regulations relating to the OPC
• Provide or write legal opinions on all aspects of law, such as administrative, contract, labour and constitutional law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, copyright law, conflicts of interest, etc, in order to support management
• Provide management and staff with legal services concerning the administration and application of legislation;
• Carries out research and performs comparative legal studies concerning the Office
• Advises staff on various aspects of their work: investigations, conciliation, mediation, litigations, proposed amendments to legislation, etc.

Some relevant fields of study: HR Management, Labour or Industrial Relations, Psychology, Business or Public Administration, Organizational Development, Education Sciences, Social Sciences, Sociology.

Our Human Resource Consultants work in partnership with line managers and executives to help ensure we have the right people to get the job done. Roles include:

• Recruitment and Staffing
• Staff Relations
• Classification and Organizational Development
• Human Resource Planning
• Employment Equity
• Policy and Strategy Development
• Official Languages
• Performance Management
• Learning and Development

Prerequisite: Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in human resources management, labour or industrial relations, psychology, public or business administration, organizational development, education sciences, social sciences, sociology, or in any other field relevant to the work to be performed.

Some relevant fields of study: Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, and Public Administration.

Roles for program administration officers include:

• Coordinate and deliver program administration services; provide information in response to requests;
• Provide program administration support; interpret and evaluate applications or requests for information or investigations
• Conduct background research and information collection; undertake preliminary analysis of issues and complaints related to mismanagement of personal information; prepare reports and components of briefings or presentations
• Anticipate evolving requirements; analyze requirements and develop strategies and options to meet objectives; provide advice on the selection, implementation and management of strategies; provide advice and guidance on issues, options and requirements related to privacy issues relative to the general public and organizations
• Participate on and provide expertise to project teams and working groups involved in analyzing, developing and coordinating program-related strategies and initiatives; conduct background research and analysis of issues; contribute to the development and monitoring of strategies and plans; prepare analyses, briefings and reports; deliver presentations; participate in committees and/or meeting with clients/stakeholders
• Monitor service components of the program(s); monitor program activities against accepted standards to ensure compliance; resolve problems
• Research, recommend and contribute to the development and implementation of program policies, procedures and information management systems; monitor and analyze the effectiveness of initiatives, services and processes
• Monitor compliance with privacy regulations.

Prerequisite: A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives.

• Read the entire job advertisement closely (including the notes) before applying. Review all of the Merit Criteria: the Essential Qualifications, Asset Qualifications, Operational Requirements and Organizational Needs.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter for each and every job you are applying for. Advertisements can vary, even for similar jobs.
• Keep your resume to 2-3 pages if at all possible, without leaving out essential details.
• Your resume and cover letter should be concise and relevant. Your resume is not your life story, rather a tool to get you to the assessment stage.
• Create a good first impression: clearly demonstrate how you meet all of the criteria and provide all the requested information.
• Prove and illustrate by using concrete examples that you have the required qualifications (i.e. experience, education and any other criteria that the poster advises may be used to screen/eliminate candidates).
• Don't just parrot the advertisement back at the employer; don't just say you have the experience, prove it with relevant details and examples. Here is one:
  “I use Word and WordPerfect to write letters, fax cover sheets, reports with tables and graphs, conduct mail merges and print labels.” This kind of approach is much more effective than saying something vague like: “I have extensive experience with word processing software”.
• Begin sentences with action words to describe your experiences and accomplishments (i.e. “developed file tracking spreadsheets” or “trained new employees”).
• List your work examples and accomplishments in the same order as they are identified in the Statement of Merit , ie, provide your education background, followed by experience details that address each of the experience qualifications in sequence, as they appear in the advertisement.
• You need not write about all the duties you've performed at every job, rather include those that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
• Acronyms can be confusing. Spell names and titles then follow with the acronym. e.g. Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC).
• Specify your language proficiency.
• Quantify your experience wherever possible. Cite numerical figures, time periods, efficiency improvements, etc. Demonstrate accomplishments due directly to your work (i.e. reduced office expenditures by 10%).
• List education and work experience starting with the most recent first.
• Don't forget: you can include relevant volunteer experience.
• Creating an effective resume may require writing several drafts and getting feedback from friends, co-workers or resume experts.
• Proofread your resume to ensure there are no spelling, grammar or typing errors.
• Don't include additional documentation unless requested to do so.
• Use a resume format that compliments you: chronological, functional, or combination.

• Prepare, Prepare, Prepare before the interview! Think of real life work examples from your career that demonstrate the competencies, knowledge and abilities outlined in the Statement of Merit Qualifications.
• Preparation may include asking questions of the hiring manager, current incumbents in the position, and obtaining a work description from Human Resources. You want to know: “What's it like to work there?”
• Practice, Practice, Practice! Thinking of a good example “on the spot” is difficult, so take the time ahead of time to find good examples of past experiences. Practice answering hypothetical questions by yourself or with a friend. Hearing yourself respond to questions will help you assess if you need more practice.
  Example 1: “Interpersonal skills”: Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult client. How did you handle this situation?
  Example 2: Describe a situation when you encountered an individual who was less than polite and courteous.
• You will always know what competencies you will be evaluated on based on the advertisement. These are outlined in the statement of merit qualifications.
• Keep your answers concise and focused. Use the “star acronym” with your examples: S/T: describe the “situation and task”, A: describe the “action” which you took, R: describe the final “result”
• Monitor your body language. Make good eye contact, relax, smile, and take a deep breath between questions to relieve any stress. Remember, a lot of communication is non-verbal.
• Take a moment to think about your answer before speaking. Organize your thoughts first and do not worry about “pause times” between questions.
• If you don't understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase it.
• Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer/s. For example, ask questions about the work environment, hours of work, and opportunities for growth & training.
• Be punctual and don't forget to bring a positive attitude!