Freedom of Information Advisor

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario; Toronto; Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

A leading regulatory agency in Ontario seeks a Freedom of Information (FOI) Advisor to administer its FOI program. This role involves managing access requests, providing expert advice on compliance with FIPPA, and collaborating with various stakeholders to uphold transparency and accountability. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical and coordination skills, alongside relevant educational qualifications.

Qualifications

• Education related to Public Administration, Information Science, or legal fields preferred.
• Knowledge of FIPPA and ability to interpret and apply legislative regulations.
• Strong organizational skills to manage a large caseload.

Responsibilities

• Process FOI requests in compliance with FIPPA.
• Provide recommendations and analysis on FOI requests and exemptions.
• Develop training material for staff related to FOI processes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Customer service orientation

Professionalism

Written communication

Education

Post-secondary education in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe Pro

Case management tools

Job description

Term : Contract (of up to 9 months), Full-Time

Division / Branch : Corporate Affairs, Policy, Planning and Projects Division / Corporate Affairs, Governance and Agency Oversight Branch

Application Deadline : May 21 , 202 5

Pay Range : $37.59 hourly to $44.22 hourly

Position Location : Head Office, Toronto, ON; Hybrid

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a regulatory agency that reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General. The AGCO is responsible for regulating the alcohol, gaming, horseracing, and cannabis retail sectors in Ontario, in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public interest.

The Corporate Affairs, Governance, and Agency Oversight Branch is seeking a detail-oriented Freedom of Information ( FOI) Advisor to support the effective administration of the AGCO's Freedom of Information (FOI) program. Reporting to the Manager, Agency Oversight, you will coordinate and process FOI requests while providing research, analysis, and expert recommendations to ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Your work will play a key role in advancing FOI program initiatives and upholding transparency and accountability within the organization.

The successful candidate will :

• Process FOI requests - Manage access requests in accordance with FIPPA, including reviewing records, applying exemptions / exclusions, consulting with Legal, and issuing access decisions with legislated timelines.
• Seek clarification of requests, and review responsive record, identify applicable exemptions / exclusions, and consult with Legal and other stakeholders as needed.
• Liaise with program areas, external agencies, ministries, and other stakeholders to locate requested records, analyze and process access requests from various sources, identify issues, recommend solutions, and ensure all statutory requirements are met and appropriate exemptions are applied.
• Provide expert advice and recommendations to management and staff on FIPPA compliance, FOI processes, and risk management related to information access requests.
• Research and analyze case law and IPC precedents, consulting legal staff to ensure appropriate access recommendations and compliance with evolving legal interpretations.
• Lead FOI requests in the absence of the Senior FOI Program Advisor - Take ownership of FOI processes and keep the Manager, Agency Oversight informed of any contentious issues.
• Develop and deliver education and awareness or training material for AGCO staff and managers on integrated requirements for compliance with the Archives and Recordkeeping Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
• Leads departmental weekly and monthly statistical reporting to ensure that required legislated FOI deadlines are met by the Unit.
• Monitor, review, and evaluate existing operations, procedures, organization, and workflow to identify opportunities for improving efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support other program areas in the department and branch to ensure their ongoing effectiveness and efficiency.
• Participate in and lead / coordinate special projects as assigned such as agency oversight functions and various corporate initiatives to ensure compliance.

Candidate should have the following qualifications :

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., Public Administration, Information Science, or Police / Legal / Criminology) is preferred, with relevant professional experience related to Freedom of Information (FOI) programs.
• Strong knowledge of FOI government regulatory frameworks, including the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), regulations, and policies, with the ability to interpret and apply FIPPA.
• Good understanding of related disciplines, including policy development, legal processes, FOI administration, and privacy management procedures.
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills to support accurate decision-making and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to manage a large caseload, prioritize tasks, and meet strict deadlines.
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and tact when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Strong written communication skills, including editing and proofreading various materials such as legal decision letters, briefing / information notes, process guides, training documents.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proficient in the use of relevant software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Pro, and case management tools.
• Successful candidates must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a criminal background check.

The AGCO is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer.

The AGCO has the responsibility to lead by example in advancing racial equity and to build a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and the opportunity to fully contribute. To this effect, you are encouraged to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to the role within your application including, but not limited to, individuals identifying with one or more of the under-represented groups identified within Ontario's Human Rights Code.

Disability related accommodation during the recruitment process is available upon request.

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