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.
Most employees are eligible for and enjoy these rewards:
Compensation
- Competitive pay
- Base salary targeted to our defined market
- French-language premium for certain jobs
- Small annual merit bonus
Work/Life Integration
Hours of Work
- 35-hour work week
- Vacation time is 2 weeks for the first year and 4 weeks as of the second year. Additional increases continue after the fifth year.
- Paid time off includes winter holiday closure, sick days, bereavement and service reward days. In addition, up to 21 hours of personal leave may be granted for any reason (e.g., volunteer time, mental health day)
- Remote work options for some positions
- Summer office hours for some positions
Supporting Our Staff
- Our office facility includes:
- Free parking
- Kitchenettes with free coffee and tea
- A large lunchroom with appliances and a video game area
- A quiet lounge for reading or for lunch
- Collaborative meeting rooms
- Traditional and open-layout office spaces
- On-site showers
- Walking distance to many restaurants and shopping
- We support a variety of activities to balance out the workday:
- An active Social Committee that hosts summer BBQs, birthday breaks and other fun events
- Fundraisers for the community (e.g., local food banks, holiday gift programs for families in need, coat drives)
- Wellness initiatives
- An internal Ergonomics team and the option to have sit/stand desks
- Lunch and Learn sessions
- The promotion of a healthy lifestyle (healthy snacks, community activity challenge, wellness emails, etc.)
- Company-sponsored training for professional development
- We are an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment with a reputation for being great place to work
- We are financially responsible and have been in operation for more than 50 years
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
- Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Optional additional benefits include Critical Illness insurance, Life insurance and AD&D
- RRSP – member contributes 5%, the OUAC contributes 7% up to YMPE, then an increase in excess of YMPE. These contributions are immediately vested.
- RRSP options include sustainable green stocks to choose from, with a focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG).
- Employee & Family Assistance Program
- Wellness Benefit for $500/fiscal year
- Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plan top-up for pregnancy/parental leave
- Employer funded short-term disability benefits
- University scholarship program for child dependents with university application fee reimbursement
- Retirement financial counselling and retiree benefits available
- Employee discount programs
- Travel insurance
- Orthodontics for child dependents
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 stakeholders.”
~ 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