Program Specialist

Help strengthen emergency preparedness across Ontario through innovative learning, training and public education initiatives.

About the Preparedness Centre of Excellence

The Preparedness Centre of Excellence (PCOE) branch's mission is to prepare and practice Ontario through collaborative, inclusive, and creative leadership in Emergency Management training, exercises, and public education. It does this through the development of training programs, exercises and public education products and the delivery of training and emergency management exercises, learning events, public education campaigns and engagement with stakeholders.

As a Program Specialist, you will play a meaningful role in strengthening emergency preparedness across Ontario through the development of training, exercises, and educational resources that support emergency management partners and communities. If you are passionate about learning and development, stakeholder engagement, and creating innovative learning solutions that support public safety and emergency preparedness, consider these exciting opportunities.

About the job

In these roles you will;

• Coordinate the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of emergency management training, exercises, and learning resources

• Develop communications and promotional materials that support learning initiatives and increase awareness of emergency preparedness programs, this may include travel, including rural and remote communities

• Identify learning needs and collaborate with subject matter experts and stakeholders to develop effective learning solutions and resources

• Develop and maintain learning materials, learning management systems, curricula, and online learning programs using a variety of delivery methods and learning technologies

• Support the evaluation of learning programs and recommend improvements based on feedback, data, audits, and operational needs

• Coordinate learning projects, events, and exercises, and build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders

What you bring to the team

Learning and development expertise

• you understand adult learning principles and have experience designing, delivering, and evaluating learning and development programs

• you can create learning materials and deliver training in a variety of formats, including in-person, virtual, and online environments

• you have knowledge of learning management systems and other learning technologies to support the delivery of learning programs

Project management and contract administration skills

• you can coordinate or lead projects and support the planning, development, and delivery of learning initiatives, events, and exercises

• you can manage competing priorities and keep projects moving forward to meet goals and timelines

• you have experience supporting procurement and contract management activities, including preparing requests for proposals (RFPs), retaining external vendors, and managing service providers

• you can support financial administration activities, including preparing cost estimates, monitoring expenditures, and tracking and reporting on budgets

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills

• you build positive working relationships and collaborate effectively with subject matter experts, partners, and stakeholders

• you are comfortable facilitating discussions, consulting with others, and gathering input to support learning initiatives

Communication, analytical, and technical skills

• you communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and can make presentations, to a variety of audiences

• you have strong interpersonal, problem-solving, analytical, and consultation skills

• you can coordinate learning activities, gather and apply feedback, and provide advice to support training requirements

• you are comfortable using learning technologies and digital tools (e.g., multimedia and interactive content, word processing, graphics, spreadsheets, e-mail, internet, presentation software, and virtual classroom platforms) to develop, deliver, and support high-quality learning programs and materials

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

Additional information

Address: 4 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 25 Morton Shulman Ave, Toronto, Toronto Region

Compensation Group: Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario

Understanding the job ad - definitions

Schedule: 6

Note: C-EP-246234/26(4)

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

How to apply:

Please apply online, only, at www.ontario.ca/careers, quoting Job ID 246234, by Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Please follow the instructions to submit your application.

The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.

Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .