Senior Environmental Referrals Analyst

POSITION: Senior Environmental Referrals Analyst                        

LOCATION: K’ómoks Administration Office                         

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time Two-Year Term with Renewal Based on Funding

DEPARTMENT: Intergovernmental Relations (IGR)                                                           

REPORTS TO: Director of Intergovernmental Relations (DIGR)

Hours: 35 hours a week

Salary Range: $65,000 – $80,000 Commensurate with Experience

 

K’ómoks First Nation’s vision: We, the K’ómoks people, envision a prosperous and healthy Nation, in which we exercise our rights and title throughout our territory, honouring our people, lands, waters, cultures and languages.

K’ómoks First Nation’s mission: K’ómoks First Nation ensures the well-being and self-sufficiency in all aspects of our Nation by asserting our rights and title while upholding our members.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Environmental Referrals Analyst is a detail-oriented critical thinker who thrives in a growing, fast-paced work environment, possesses environmental and/or resource management expertise, and acts as a liaison with Crown governments, agencies, and proponents. This person is a driving force behind K’ómoks First Nation’s multi-disciplinary assessment of referrals within the territory. In this critical role, you will work as part of a team to:

• Review and analyze referrals in accordance with the Strategic Engagement Agreement with BC province.
• Stewardship policy creation in collaboration with KFN policies.
• Assess potential impacts that proposed development projects and policy changes may have on KFN’s Indigenous rights, title, and interests.
• Facilitate the review process of Federal, Provincial and Municipal referrals in a team setting.
• Provide support to KFN Staff in the monitoring of project applications, including project administration, budgeting, and organizational tasks.
• Represent KFN on project files and build relationships with external agencies and proponents under guidance of DIGR.
• Mentor junior staff member.
• Support the DIGR in all other related tasks.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely and collaboratively with the DIGR and other referrals staff, and other staff in the Treaty, Guardians and Lands Department as well as community members, to analyze and assess land use decisions, proposed projects, and policies that may impact KFN territories, traditional use areas, and interests.
• Under the DIGR’s supervision, the Sr Environmental Referrals Analyst manages various referrals per the K’ómoks Stewardship Policy. This includes:
  • Determining potential impacts of proposed development projects, policies, or plans on KFN’s Indigenous rights, title, and interests including assessing cumulative impacts and future implications and providing impact/benefit analyses where required.
  • Reviewing and assessing referrals submitted by Crown governments, agencies, and proponents.
  • Analyzing environmental and resource management aspects of referrals to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
  • Preparing comprehensive reports and recommendations based on assessments.
  • Facilitating the environmental review of projects, plans, and policies proposed within the KFN Consultation Area. Critique the processes of assessment and contribute improvement solutions.
  • Assessing potential benefits, including educational or economic opportunities for members of the K’ómoks Nation.
  • Examining the proposed project, plan, or policy from a holistic view that considers history, cumulative impacts, and power dynamics.
  • Prepare, facilitate, and lead internal and external meetings.
• Support the DIGR to ensure the vision laid out in the K’ómoks Stewardship Policy, economic development strategy, and overall K’ómoks philosophy is met.
• Support the DIGR in meeting and consulting with Crown governments, regulatory authorities, proponents, and other First Nations regarding referral projects.
• Under the direction of DIGR, prepare, facilitate, and lead internal and external meetings.
• Work to establish positive working relationships with Crown governments, proponents, agencies, and other First Nations.
• Directly communicate with Crown governments, agencies, proponents, and other First Nations on a technical level, signing off on technical-level communications.
• Draft reports/letters of response to Crown governments, agencies, and proponents.
• Prepare cost estimates or Contribution Funding Agreements for K’ómoks participation in the referral process.
• Project management tasks, including budget invoicing, budget reporting, activity tracking and scheduling, deadline and progress management, communications management, and all other necessary tasks.
• Support the coordination of Social and Economic Development Agreements between KFN and the proponent.
• Consult with external agencies, as required, to ensure Referrals Management Program goals are met.
• Assist with the implementation and delivery of other Department initiatives.
• Approach proposals, agreements, and related opportunities with creativity and a multi-disciplinary, holistic mindset that honours the needs of the K’ómoks community.
• Facilitate efficient records management of files along with the IGR team.
• Support the DIGR to prepare and present updates and analysis results to leadership, colleagues, community members, and proponents.
• Provide input into Departmental communications and outreach, which may include the development of presentations, media releases, and council information packages.
• Take initiative and leadership in establishing new components to the IGR assessment process and consultation agreements/ relationship-building as guided by the DIGR
• Stay updated on relevant environmental and resource management legislation, policies, and industry best practices.
• Provide input into the development of funding proposals, reports, and other deliverables.
• Participates as a member of the IGR team.
• Performs other related duties as required.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication and analytical skills; attention to detail
• Brings a creative and unconventional approach to problem-solving
• Self-motivated; able to work independently and under pressure
• Specialized knowledge in the areas of environmental assessment; site assessment, and remediation an asset
• Community-centric, with the ability to work in a team environment
• Strong planning and time-management skills
• Awareness of data security and confidentiality
• High level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish working relationships with IGR staff, community members and other stakeholders
• Ability to display tact, respect, and diplomacy
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness with thorough knowledge of the current First Nations governance landscape in BC, and knowledge of relevant socio-historical events relevant to First Nations in Canada
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office and proficient with Excel and Word.
• field- and desktop-based mapping using GPS/GIS is an asset.
• Synthesize complex and diverse information.
• Remain calm, professional, objective, and constructive and highly developed ability to work under pressure
• Attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Must model adherence to established systems and processes.
• Provide detailed and comprehensive strategic advice with little notice.

 

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary education in Environmental sciences including Forestry, Biology or a related field plus (5+) years of relevant work experience
• Experience with First Nations consultation and negotiation processes required
• Experience working with sensitive, legal, confidential, political and environmental issues
• Understanding of Fisheries Act, Environmental Assessment Act and other regulatory and environmental legislation
• Understanding of aboriginal rights and title frameworks, including traditional harvesting, and UNDRIP/DRIPA legislation
• Experience working in and with Indigenous communities preferred

 

Other

• Willing to participate in personal and professional development
• Follow K’ómoks First Nations policies and procedures
• Criminal Record Check with a satisfactory result
• Class 5 Driver’s License

 

Application Information:

If this opportunity to work as a team member in a growing Indigenous organization appeals to you, please apply with your resume and cover letter to careers@komoks.ca.

This posting will remain open until filled.

We value employment equity and prioritize applications from Indigenous applicants, and especially encourage those living within the K’ómoks First Nation to apply. If you have any questions about the job posting or the process, please reach out to careers@komoks.ca.