Information Officer

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Give yourself the best chance to succeed!
1. Follow the instructions in section “In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)”.
2. Contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application or if there is a reason preventing you from applying online.
To learn more about accommodation measures, click on the link below.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page/the-basics-of-assessment-accommodation.html
3. Let us know if you are a member of an employment equity group, your application could be prioritized. To learn more, refer to the section “Organizational Needs”.

The federal public service is stronger and more effective when it reflects the diversity of the Canadian population that it serves. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is committed to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce that is representative of Canadian society. All candidates who consider themselves qualified are encouraged to apply, including members of equity-seeking groups or of an employment equity group (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities).

Duties

The Information Officers are responsible for responding to requests for information from the public and organizations regarding privacy rights and responsibilities through the OPC’s Information Centre.

Key Activities
• Respond to telephone, email, mail, and in-person enquiries received at OPC.
• Assist individuals in obtaining information about their privacy rights, including how to file a formal privacy complaint.
• Research information related to the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic documents Act (PIPEDA) in order to provide accurate and complete responses to requestors.

And there isn't a more exciting time to be working in privacy, particularly as we look into the privacy practices of multiple organizations in the context of the global digital economy and society and prepare for long-awaited privacy law reform, in both the public and private sectors. If you want to make a difference, working at the OPC provides the opportunityto shape and influence how we can protect and preserve our right to privacy now and in the future. We expect our Office to grow significantly over the next few years as we take on new responsibilities. Working in law enforcement for an Agent of Parliament is different - we are small and agile, which means employees have a high degree of influence and exposure. We seek creative solutions and forge our own paths, working collaboratively. While our Office may be small, we influence the lives of all Canadians.

Work environment

Employees of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) are passionate about privacy and work to protect and promote the privacy rights of individuals. The OPC is a small federal organization that reports independently to Parliament. Despite its size, our office influences the lives of all Canadians. We oversee two federal privacy laws that span the private and public sectors, and our office acts as a public advocate for the privacy rights of Canadians.

The OPC is subject to the Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace and to working from a designated workplace in an hybrid work model.
https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/staffing/direction-prescribed-presence-workplace.html

Because of our size, new employees are able to integrate and gain access to our systems more quickly, and benefit from in-house compensation and IT support.

Our office space is configured in a model that fosters an inclusive, welcoming and equitable workplace for all, regardless of our different abilities and personal preferences. Our workplace is designed to be an innovative, activity-based environment that accommodates diverse work styles, meets accessibility requirements, supports alternative work strategies, incorporates modern technologies, keeping sustainable design principles in mind. Most workstations are equipped with electric height adjustable tables and fully adjustable chairs.

Employees can take advantage of our personal and career development offerings, such as training, coaching/mentoring, conferences and well-being activities. We have various networks dedicated to ensuring that the OPC continues to develop as a workplace that promotes inclusivity, accessibility, diversity, respectful relationships and well-being. All employees are encouraged and welcomed to join the networks and participate in their activities and events.

The OPC has a directive promoting a Scent free environment.

Intent of the process

This process will be used to establish a pool of candidates that may be used to staff the above-noted position (and similar positions at an identical or equivalent group and level) with various security profiles (reliability, secret, top secret), various tenures (indeterminate, specified period) using various staffing activities (indeterminate, term, deployment, acting, assignment, secondment) for positions with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or the Public Service.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW
You must clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience qualifications, both essential and assets, by responding to the screening questions in the online application. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current responsibilities; rather, you must provide concrete examples that illustrate how you meet the requirement. Lack of details may result in your application being rejected as the Assessment Board will have insufficient information to determine whether or not you meet the qualifications. To have a better idea on how to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to watch this video developed by the Treasury Board Secretariat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GW7P3g9hhI

EDUCATION
A degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution or an acceptable** combination of education and experience in a field related to the Office’s mandate may serve as an alternative to the degree.

*The term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.
**The term “acceptable” refers to the following:A completed secondary school diploma; and
• Two years of experience in the field of compliance investigation or enforcement; or
• Two years providing information and advice on matters regulated by statute; or
• Two years providing advice and recommendations on initiatives and programs related to individual rights; or
• Two years providing advice and recommendations on the interpretation and application of the Privacy Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, human rights, the Access to Information Act and other rights-related matters.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in providing information and advice, in both official languages of Canada, to the general public or clients external to the work unit.
Experience in providing guidance to the public or organizations by responding, in both official languages of Canada, to various types of communication on matters regulated by legislation.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
It is desirable to answer the screening questions related to the asset qualifications in the online application. They could be the deciding factor in selecting candidates to be invited to the next assessment phase or in selecting the person appointed to the position.

EXPERIENCE
Experience working in a call centre
Experience in using a computerized tracking system
Experience in dealing with difficult clients

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (CCC/CCC)
Only bilingual positions will be staffed via this process.

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the application of privacy laws in Canada, including principles and concepts found in the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Privacy Act, as well as jurisdiction across federal and provincial privacy legislation

COMPETENCY
Working effectively with others
Showing initiative and being action oriented
Planning and Organizing
Client service orientation
Information research and synthesizing
Effective writing
Communication (oral)
Autonomy

ABILITY
Ability to provide advice and guidance to the public

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
Employment equity is an important part of working at the OPC. In order to ensure a diversified workforce, preference may be given to qualified candidates self-declaring as belonging to one or more of the following employment equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, women, persons with disabilities and members of visible minority groups.

Members of employment equity groups are encouraged to self-declare during the online application process by selecting the appropriate box under the Employment Equity (EE) section. You will have to give your consent in order for us to use your self-declaration for the purpose of appointment. We encourage you to choose Collection Purpose 1 (Purpose 1 – Appointment processes and statistics related to Appointments and EE Workforce Representation).

To learn more about employment equity, click on the link below.

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL NEEDS
Ability and willingness to work overtime on short notice.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to work during the working hours of the Information Centre (9:00am to 4:00pm).

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

NEXT STEPS
• The screening process (review of applications) is to determine whether you meet the education and experience qualifications. Please refer to the instructions provided in the section “In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)".
• If your application is retained at the screening process, you will be invited to the next assessment phase to assess the qualifications listed under the section “The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)”. A variety of tools may be used to assess those qualifications (such as: written tests, interviews, presentations, role plays, reference checks, etc.). An invitation, including the assessment tool and the qualifications to be assessed, will be sent to you. It is important to reply to the invitation and to provide all the required information.
• Should you proceed to the next assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information on the assessment format so that you can determine if you may require an accommodation (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time).
• A passing mark will be established for each qualification assessed. Essential qualifications listed in the advertisement are mandatory. Therefore, if you don’t obtain the passing mark established for an essential qualification, your application will no longer be considered and you will be notified of this outcome.
• Please note that assessors may select candidates for the next assessment phase based on asset qualifications, scores obtained, etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process (review of applications) is completed.

Communication for this process will be sent via email and/or via your GC Jobs account. It is your responsibility to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. You should also include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is your responsibility to regularly check your email, junk email and your GC Jobs account to know all the details about this process.

It is to be noted that it is your responsibility to ensure that, during the life of this selection process, you communicate any changes related to your telephone number or e-mail address to the email address indicated on the poster. Failure to do so might exclude you from the selection process.

You are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of your choice.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.