About the OUAC
Located in Guelph, the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) processes applications for admission to undergraduate, law, medical, rehabilitation sciences and teacher education programs at Ontario’s universities.
We employ approximately 85 full-time employees year-round, as well as an additional 10 part-time employees during our peak processing cycle. A third of our employees are bilingual (English and French).
OUAC’s Mission and Values
Our mission is to facilitate access to university education in Ontario by offering valuable, sustainable and accessible services and resources that benefit Ontario’s universities, their applicants, and affiliated organizations.
While performing our mission, the OUAC values:
- Financial accountability
- Operational excellence
- Security and integrity
- Innovation
- Responsiveness
- Support and help
- A healthy workplace
Core Competencies
These valued core competencies are central to the way our organization and employees work:
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Continuous Learning
- Effective Communication
- Problem Solving
- Professionalism
- Quality of Work
Employment Opportunities
OUAC Employment Opportunities
The OUAC values equity, diversity and inclusion and believes that every person has a right to equal treatment. We are strengthened by diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We have equitable and accessible employment practices, based on the principles specified in Ontario legislation (Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act [AODA]). Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available upon request.
Thank you for your interest in the OUAC. There are no job openings at this time. Please check back soon for upcoming employment opportunities.
COU Employment Opportunities
The OUAC is a division of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU).
Total Rewards and Compensation
We provide a progressive and supportive working environment for our employees, along with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, with a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG).
Most employees are eligible for and enjoy these rewards:
Environmental
Our Commitment to Environment Responsibility
Area of focus: Waste and e-waste, water use, transport emissions, energy emissions, climate risk
- Reduce carbon emissions and operational costs with motion-sensing lighting in the building.
- Provide reusable water bottles and mugs to new employees.
- Reduce paper consumption with digital platforms.
- Provide an accessible building location for staff to get to by walking, biking, bus or car (carpool planning may be arranged with other staff) that:
- Is within walking distance of many restaurants and shopping.
- Offers free, accessible parking and bike rack access.
- Offers remote work or hybrid work arrangements for most positions.
- Dispose of electronics in a proper manner.
- Provide filtered water coolers (connected to the main water supply) and drinking fountains.
- Use energy-efficient dishwashers and other appliances in our kitchenettes.
- Use energy-efficient coffee machines.
- Use coffee pods that are part of the TerraCycling program.
Social
Our Commitment to Support People at Work, Applicants and Social Issues
Areas of focus: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B), Health and Safety, customer satisfaction, community, Human Rights and Labour, Talent and Culture, public policy
Office Design
- Hybrid office design: Traditional and open layout office spaces.
- Accessibility for all staff.
- Collaborative meeting rooms.
- A quiet lounge for reading or lunch.
- A large lunchroom with an area that has video games, board games and puzzles.
- Outdoor sitting area with shade.
Health and Wellness
- An active social committee that hosts summer barbecues, monthly birthday breaks and other fun activities.
- Free coffee and tea bar.
- Discounted snacks and cold beverages provided in the lunchroom.
- On-site showers.
- Wellness initiatives.
- Lunch and Learn seminars.
- An internal ergonomics team.
- Ergonomic equipment to aid in work.
- Option to have a sit/stand desk to encourage movement.
- Healthy lifestyle initiatives.
- Participation in an annual community activity challenge.
- Fundraising efforts for the community by the social committee (e.g., local food banks, holiday gift programs for families in need, clothing drives).
Hours of Work
- 32-hour work week (formerly 35 hours).
- Vacation time is 2 weeks for the first year and then 4 weeks as of the second year. Additional increases continue after the fifth year of employment.
- Paid time off includes winter holiday closure, sick days, bereavement and service award days. In addition, up to 21 hours of personal leave may be granted for any reason (e.g., volunteer time, birthday, mental health day).
Employee Benefits
- Extended Health Care includes Dental, Vision, Medication and Paramedical (no referral required).
- Benefits start on your first day, with the OUAC covering 100% of the Health premium and approximately 67% of the Dental premium.
- Family coverage is available for benefits.
- Orthodontics for child dependents.
- Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D).
- Additional optional benefits, such as Critical Illness insurance, Life insurance and AD&D.
- Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) – members contribute 5%, the OUAC contributes 7% up to the year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE), then 6.5% (employee) and 8.5% (employer) for amounts in excess of YMPE, up to the annual maximum allowable.
- RRSP options include sustainable green stocks to choose from, with a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG).
- Employee and Family Assistance Program available to you and your household.
- University scholarship program for child dependents with university application fee reimbursement.
- Retirement financial counselling and retiree benefits available.
- Travel insurance.
Compensation
- Base salary targets to our defined market.
- French-language premium for certain jobs.
- Competitive pay with an annual merit bonus.
- Wellness bonus twice per year.
Other
- Training supported for professional development.
Governance
Our Commitment to Responsible Corporate Governance and Accountability
Areas of focus: Ethics, privacy and data, cybersecurity, business innovations, supply chain management, procedures and policies, those in the sector.
- Have financial responsibility and have been in operation for more than 50 years.
- Use fair employment practices.
- Human Rights policy has been implemented for our employees to ensure a meaningful employment that is ethical and in compliance with all applicable employment and human rights legislation.
- Follow the Employment Standards Act (ESA) labour and Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) safety standards to establish a safe, healthy and fair workplace.
- Follow pay equity rules.
- Adhere to health and safety best practices in the workplace.
- Training and information for Health & Safety awareness and responsibility.
- Including but not limited to: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR), Globally Harmonized System (GHS) (formerly WHMIS), Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B), domestic violence, workplace violence and workplace harassment, crisis prevention and other emergencies possible within the workplace.
- Internal 911 Alert Responders (first aid certified employee team and emergency volunteers).
- Individual Safety Plan procedure available, if needed.
- Training and information for Health & Safety awareness and responsibility.
- Foster an equitable, diverse, inclusive and belonging environment with a reputation for being a great place to work.
- Protect privacy and data by best practices, policies and procedures.
- Focus on cybersecurity by providing rigorous internal training to all employees to ensure our infrastructure, networks and devices are secure.
- Internal Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) team monitors our workspace for any potential new hazards to ensure safe working conditions.
Life at the OUAC
Those who have joined our team have experienced a workplace that is collaborative and inspiring.
Barbecues, birthday celebrations and game tournaments are all part of life at the OUAC.
Employees agree that the camaraderie and sense of purpose they find through their work here benefit them personally and professionally.
We support and encourage our employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, our employees collectively take part in community activity challenges, and we often host wellness-themed lunch and learn sessions.
We are also dedicated to providing a responsive, environmentally sound and cost-effective service to Ontario’s universities, their applicants and our employees.
“The OUAC has assisted me tremendously in growing with the industry.”
~ An employee of 29 years
“We have a very active social committee that makes our work day fun.”
~ An employee of 12 years
“Collaborating with co-workers, universities, guidance counsellors and students adds variety, and it’s rewarding to work with so many people to better help all of our partners.”
~ An employee of 6 years
“I feel supported by my immediate team and the organization as a whole, which, in turn, helps me challenge myself to learn new things and develop new skills…The people who work here truly believe in and care about what they do.”
~ A new employee