Developer Assistant Co-op Student

Developer Assistant Co-op Student

Department: IT Systems - Information, Technology, Operations, and Security

Type: Winter co-op – January 2027 – August 2027 (8-month)

Location: Toronto (Hybrid)

At OPTrust, paying pensions today, preserving pensions for tomorrow is our mission and business.

When you choose OPTrust, you join a team of smart, talented people who fuel our success and have a passion for pensions. Everyone at OPTrust – in Toronto, London and Sydney – makes a meaningful impact. Our culture is driven by team members with different backgrounds and perspectives creating an inclusive and fulfilling place to work for everyone. We work in a fast-paced environment, but we find time to have fun and give back to the community.

What OPTrust offers Students

• Unique culture rooted in our core values – collaboration and teamwork; integrity; respect; flexibility; and excellence and continuous improvement.

• A purpose-driven environment where we all work towards the common goal of paying pensions today and preserving pensions for tomorrow.

• A flexible, hybrid work mode.

• Professional development opportunities, social and networking events and learning initiatives including access to LinkedIn Learning and speaker series.

• Ongoing coaching and feedback to help you succeed, learn and much more!

About the role

The team is responsible for design, development, testing, implementation, and maintenance of COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) applications and custom solutions that support all users. The team also provides technical analysis, solutions, development and support for all OPTrust’s applications and systems. Training will be provided on OPTrust procedures, systems and work processes. Students will also participate in OPTrust’s orientation and campus program.

What you’ll do

• Supporting the rollout and configuration of Microsoft 365 Copilot and GitHub Copilot, assisting in the integration of AI tools within new and existing workflows to enhance productivity and collaboration.

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize and troubleshoot the deployment of AI tools, while ensuring best practices around data privacy and security are upheld, enabling seamless adoption by end users and developers.

• Developing and implementing AI-driven automations and agents using Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Power Automate and GitHub Copilot, including connecting agents across systems and tools using Model Context Protocol (MCP), to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

• Solutioning, triaging and assisting with development efforts as required with the appropriate internal/external groups to get to resolution.

• Where an internal IT initiative is underway, the incumbent may be asked to assist with analysis to support the work.

• Assisting team members with solutions integration and extending Copilot/agent capabilities through Azure services such as Azure Functions, while upholding security and environment standards.

• This role may also include supporting documenting changes, test scenarios, and recording test cases.

• Providing training and support to end users on the effective use of AI tools and workflow automations.

• Other duties as assigned.

What you bring

• Enrollment in a computer science co-op program or a related field.

• A foundational understanding of PowerShell scripting, GitHub workflows and Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint with a keen interest in AI-driven solutions and their practical applications in the workplace.

• Experience with or eagerness to learn Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot and Azure AI services (such as Azure AI Foundry) to assist with automating tasks, building agents, generating content and streamlining code development.

• Familiarity with AI workflow automation tools (preferably Microsoft Copilot Studio and Microsoft Power Automate) and techniques, and the ability to develop and implement AI-driven solutions, with exposure to Power Apps and Power BI dashboards considered an asset.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues related to AI tool deployment and integration.

• Effective written and comprehension skills to effectively communicate and generate content.

• Self-motivated individual that can take initiative to research effective solutions.

• Demonstrated professionalism and client service skillset.

• Demonstrated organizational skills.

• Exemplify OPTrust’s values: collaboration and teamwork, integrity, respect, flexibility, excellence, and continuous improvement.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The range of expected compensation for this position is $720.00 to $1,285.00 per week.

Serving a membership as diverse as ours and investing in a global market means cultivating an environment that embraces inclusion, diversity, and equity in everything we do. OPTrust is an organization engaged in building on our unique and diverse strengths. We know a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, gender identities and perspectives are critical to achieving our shared goals.

If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please send a message to careers@optrust.com, or discuss your needs with the Talent Acquisition Consultant during the telephone screening. We will do our best to work with you and provide appropriate accommodation.

As an organization we’re seeking ways to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 92. We are working with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business to build bridges with Indigenous communities and partners, and we have created an employee-led Reconciliation Working Group that will work with Indigenous experts to identify a path to reconciliation for our organization.

We thank all interested applicants, however only those under consideration will be contacted.

About Us

With net assets of over $27 billion, OPTrust invests and manages one of Canada's largest pension funds and administers the OPSEU Pension Plan (including OPTrust Select), a defined benefit plan with 118,000 members. OPTrust was established to give plan members and the Government of Ontario an equal voice in the administration of the Plan and the investment of its assets through joint trusteeship. OPTrust is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees, five of whom are appointed by OPSEU/SEFPO and five by the Government of Ontario.