Hearings Advisor

Overview

The Office of the Registrar makes preliminary decisions in adjudicative proceedings as delegated by the Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Energy Board.  The Office of the Registrar ensures efficient and timely processing and disposition of all matters in accordance with natural justice, applicable laws, and formal procedures and practices of the Ontario Energy Board. The Office of the Registrar ensures the integrity and safeguarding of official records of Ontario Energy Board proceedings in accordance with the Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Archives and Recordkeeping Act, government policy on records retention and corporate guidelines. The Office of the Registrar is also responsible for adjudicative reporting and analysis, and the implementation of projects to drive process innovation and oversee operational change.

The Hearings Advisor is a key member of the case team and will lead in organizing the procedural aspects of OEB hearings. In this role you will ensure tribunal processes are followed in a consistent manner and are continuously improved. Responsible for drafting procedural documents, including interlocutory decisions and case related correspondence. The Hearings Advisor also identifies and implements projects and process improvements to improve the efficient and timely processing and disposition of matters before the OEB.

Responsibilities

• Advise on procedural aspects of applications filed with the OEB, as assigned
• Prepare case schedules and procedural documents (notices, procedural orders, hearing plans, exhibit lists, correspondence, etc.)
• Maintain contact with Commissioners, cross-functional case teams and intervenors to monitor and assess the progress of the case
• Make recommendations to Commissioners and OEB Staff on the best approach related to process-related questions
• Oversee the procedural aspects of several OEB applications simultaneously and collaborate with all members of the case team to gain a thorough understanding of the scope of the case
• Book hearing rooms, court reporters, settlement facilitators, external venues and look after all logistics in relation to the hearing process
• Plan, facilitate and oversee virtual, hybrid and in-person events by providing support to all hearing participants, including Commissioners, OEB staff, applicants, and intervenors.
• Create the schedule of case steps, including steps related to confidentiality requests and interlocutory motions
• Provide periodic updates on timelines and procedural dates to the Commissioners and the case team for any individual case to allow the team to assess progress against metrics
• Ensure certain data in records management system (Applications Management System) is accurate
• Lead process reviews or standalone projects related to hearing process management
• Help to identify and implement projects and process improvements to improve the efficient and timely processing and disposition of matters before the OEB

Qualifications

• University degree in Political Science, Business, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, or related discipline is preferred
• Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario as a paralegal or possessing a law clerk certificate or diploma is strongly preferred
• 5 years’ experience in project management and/ or regulatory environment is strongly preferred
• 8 years’ experience in multi-disciplinary teams in one of the following: a regulatory, legal, or adjudicative tribunal. Experience in a regulated industry, public utility setting, or adjudicative tribunal is strongly preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Pro, Teams
• Project management (e.g., PMP) designation and/or process management certification (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, CBPP) is considered an asset
• Strong analytical skills as it relates to documents and data
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills that cater to all levels in the organization, as well as externally