From General Admin to Specialized Roles
In the 1990s, many more OPS employees worked in broad administrative, clerical, and general policy support roles. Over time, as government operations have modernized, there’s been growth in specialized roles: analysts, technical specialists, healthcare administrators, IT professionals, and digital service positions.
Growth in Frontline & Service Sectors
Sectors like healthcare, social services, and education have seen high growth. The OPS now includes more employees in hospitals, school boards, public health, and emergency services compared to decades past. This shift has contributed to changes in wage structure, workloads, and public expectations.
Technology, Digital & Remote Work
One of the biggest shifts has been digital transformation. The OPS increasingly hires for technical roles — data analysts, digital service leads, IT support, cybersecurity, and project managers. Remote work, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, has also reshaped where and how work gets done.
Union & Compensation Shifts
Collective bargaining and union representation have also adapted. As roles become more specialized, pay scales and benefit structures have evolved. Some positions that once were not in senior pay brackets are now far more likely to exceed thresholds like $100,000 because of specialization and higher skills requirements.
Gender, Diversity & Leadership
Diversification in senior leadership, equity hiring, and retention of diverse talent has increasingly become part of OPS policy. Representation of women, Indigenous peoples, and other underrepresented groups in leadership remains a work in progress. Demographic changes, retirements, and equity goals are changing the face of OPS employment. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, we expect continued growth in technical, service, and health-adjacent roles. The ageing workforce points toward more retirements, meaning recruitment and knowledge transfer will be critical. Policy shifts around transparency, pay equity, union negotiations, and remote work will likely shape what the OPS looks like in 2030 and beyond.