Overview

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is one of the largest employers in the province, employing more than 60,000 people. We have a wide range of meaningful and rewarding career opportunities in communities across Ontario. We welcome new ideas and new people, encourage learning and development, and reward achievement. We 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.

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

  • administrative and support services
  • customer and client services
  • education and training
  • human resources
  • science and engineering, and
  • many more

Career opportunities

As one of the largest employers in the province, the OPS offers work in a variety of locations, within five regional boundaries:

  • north
  • east
  • west
  • central
  • Toronto

Note: your job search will only list cities where active job postings are available.

Search current job openings

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.

Our mission and values

Our 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

Guided by our mission and values and governed by rules set out in the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 (PSOA), we:

  • serve the public interest and uphold the public’s trust
  • support the government by providing honest, impartial, and objective advice; carrying out its decisions and policies; and administering services to the highest professional standards
  • conduct ourselves with integrity and exercise responsible stewardship of public resources and information
  • fulfill all our duties in accordance with the law, including the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 and in compliance with our Public Service Oath or Affirmation of Office
  • are accountable for how we fulfill our public service roles

The hiring process

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Learn more about 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, including high-quality leadership and team-building skills, that are valued in government. We are committed to supporting Canadian Armed Forces 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 general questions, or more specific about the following:

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

Contact us