Program Assistant

• Back to search results

Apply By: Wednesday, December 24, :59 pm EST

Program Assistant - We provide the training

Job ID:

236464

Posting status:

Open

Organization:

Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security

Division:

Operations Division / Student Financial Assistance Branch

City:

Thunder Bay

Position(s) language:

English

Job term:

4 Temporary assignments/contracts up to 12 months with possibility of extension

Job code:

09OAD - Office Administration 09

Salary:

$ $32.82 Per hour*

*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Make an impact supporting students

We provide an 8-week training program to help you succeed in this role.

About the job

In this role, you will acquire knowledge through supported training on student financial assistance programs, policies, and procedures relating to loans, grants, bursaries/awards, and scholarships. You will play a key role in ensuring accurate and professional written communication with students, Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), Ombudsman representatives, and postsecondary institutions. Your work helps students access vital financial aid while maintaining trust and transparency in program delivery.

Learn more about the student services we offer.

What you bring to the team
Written communication skills

You can:

• draft clear, accurate, and professional correspondence for diverse audiences
• review and edit documents to ensure they are accurate, complete, and easy to understand
• convey complex information in a concise, accessible way

Customer focus skills

You can:

• provide optimum service and meet customer needs, resulting in a positive experience
• interact tactfully and courteously with students, parents, staff, MPPs, and financial aid representatives
• apply empathy and professionalism when handling sensitive inquiries

Thinking skills

You can:

• probe for information, assess situations, and take appropriate actions to resolve application and eligibility inquiries
• interpret and apply legislation, directives, and policies related to financial aid, including calculating financial need manually using program guidelines
• provide accurate information and assistance on student loans, bursaries, grants, and scholarships

Team collaboration skills

You can:

• work well with colleagues in a team environment
• assist in training new staff and share knowledge with team members
• support shared clerical tasks as needed (e.g., mail distribution, data entry)

Computer skills

You are proficient with:

• Microsoft Office and database programs
• navigating online systems and tools to manage correspondence and program information

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province.

We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by:

Wednesday, December 24, :59 pm EST

Position details:

• 4 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 189 Red River Rd, Thunder Bay, North Region

Compensation group:

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Work hours:

Schedule 3.7

Category:

Administrative and Support Services

Posted on:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Note:

• C-TU-236464/25(4)

How to apply:

• You must apply online.

• Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.

• Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.

• Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.

• OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.

• If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:

All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:

Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.

Strengthening Ontario, together

---