Investigator

Government of Manitoba; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 79,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Work Program

Travel within Manitoba

Job summary

Manitoba Ombudsman is seeking a professional Investigator to join our team in Winnipeg. The role involves investigating complaints under multiple acts, conducting interviews, and producing detailed reports with findings and recommendations.

Hybrid work options are available and the work supports access to information and privacy rights. The successful candidate will conduct complex investigations, manage case files, and work with a multi-disciplinary team to improve public service fairness and

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in public administration or related field.
• Experience conducting independent investigations and public complaint resolution.
• Strong ability to interpret legislation and apply policies.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints under multiple acts (Ombudsman Act, FOIP, PHIA, PIDA).
• Conduct interviews, evidence analysis and draft comprehensive reports with findings.
• Provide recommendations for improvements and ensure procedural fairness.

Skills

Investigation experience

Public complaint resolution

Case-file management

Legislation interpretation

Negotiation skills

Procedural fairness

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Independent decision making

Education

Public administration / related field degree

Job description

OF5 Investigator

Regular/full-time; Term positions greater than 6 months/full-time

1 Regular Full-Time , 1 Term Full-Time - 2 years with the possibility of extension

Office of the Ombudsman

Ombudsman Act, Access and Privacy, Public Interest Disclosure Act

Winnipeg MB

Advertisement Number: 45667

Salary(s): OF5 $79,189.00 - $98,386.00 per year

Closing Date: September 27, 2026

The Manitoba government recognizes the importance of building an exemplary public service reflective of the citizens it serves, where diverse abilities, backgrounds, cultures, identities, languages and perspectives drives a high standard of service and innovation. The Manitoba government supports equitable employment practices and promotes representation of designated groups (women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities).

Employment Equity is a factor in selection for this competition. Consideration will be given to Indigenous people, visible minorities and persons with disabilities.

An eligibility list may be used to fill Investigator positions under other mandates of the Ombudsman’s Office.

The Manitoba Ombudsman is seeking a professional, energetic, responsive and forward-thinking individual to join our team as an Investigator, under Ombudsman, Access and Privacy, and/or Public Interest Disclosure. The successful incumbent will be dedicated to helping Manitobans and passionate about fairness, access to justice, accountability, transparency, promoting access to information, privacy, and improving public service. Our team members are provided with challenging and meaningful work, ongoing training and development and have the opportunity to participate in a Hybrid Work Program. Join our team and help make a difference.

The Manitoba Ombudsman is an Independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly with oversight responsibilities under The Ombudsman Act , The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) , The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) , and The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (PIDA) . The Ombudsman resolves or investigates complaints about administrative decisions of provincial departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, municipalities, trustees and other public bodies about matters of fairness, access to information, protection of privacy, and wrongdoing. The Ombudsman has broad authority to investigate on her own initiative; to comment on privacy implications of proposed programs/services; to comment on the administration of the legislation and the policies and procedures to handle wrongdoing disclosures; to conduct audits and monitor compliance with FIPPA/PHIA; and to report publicly on matters in the public interest. The Ombudsman provides information and educational services about the Acts and the role of the office to public bodies, and the Legislative Assembly.

Under the authority of the Ombudsman, Investigators are delegated the authority to resolve serious problems by conducting impartial investigations. Investigators play a role in making recommendations to improve the delivery of public programs and services and promote compliance with legislative requirements.

Duties:

Reporting to the Manager of Investigations, the Investigator will be assigned to work under one of the mandates of the Office to investigate complaints under The Ombudsman Act, The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) or The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (PIDA) . Depending upon the Investigator’s assigned mandate, duties may include conducting systemic investigations into matters of broad public importance or systemic maladministration; reviewing, auditing, and monitoring compliance with FIPPA and PHIA by provincial governments and agencies, municipal authorities, educational institutions, and the health care sector; or reviewing public body compliance with PIDA.

The Investigator is responsible for high-quality complaint analysis, informal resolution of complaints and conducting investigations, including interviews, complex evidence analysis, legislation, policy and standards interpretation, and drafting comprehensive reports with findings and conclusions. Where appropriate, the Investigator drafts recommendations for the Ombudsman’s consideration. The Investigator ensures confidentiality and procedural fairness within the investigative process. The incumbent works collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to support the early resolution of complaints, investigations under other mandates, and may undertake or participate in special projects or initiatives of the Office. The Investigator also performs research, outreach, and public education activities to educate and enhance the public profile of the Office.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in public or business administration, planning, municipal administration, rural development, environmental studies, information privacy, social sciences, social work, law or another specialized discipline relevant to the organization’s jurisdiction and investigative mandates, with several years of relevant experience. A combination of suitable education and experience may be considered.
• Experience conducting independent investigations, public complaint resolution or performing audits ideally in a public service environment (e.g. workplace complaints, privacy or whistleblower concerns, employee conduct, professional standards and/or similar types of complex, public or multi-jurisdictional investigations).
• Extensive experience with investigation planning, case-file management, investigative techniques, developing conclusions and writing reports.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying legislation, regulations and policies in investigations.
• Exceptional negotiation skills to effectively resolve complaints and influence the actions of others.
• Demonstrated ability to make impartial decisions with integrity, accountability and transparency, while applying the principles of procedural fairness.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently and manage a workload with competing priorities, expectations, and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact with the public, stakeholders and senior officials with tact and diplomacy, and communicate sensitive and complex matters effectively among parties of differing interests.

Desired:

• Familiarity with public administration and administrative processes with an understanding of how organizational decisions are made and governed.
• Working knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities and functions of the Manitoba Ombudsman.
• The ability to communicate in French is considered an asset.

The Manitoba Ombudsman is seeking candidates who are willing to meet office demands by working on a flexible schedule and/or travel throughout Manitoba as needed.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse and Adult Abuse Registry Checks.
• Valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle and the ability to travel within Manitoba

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.