Project Lead First Nations Engagement and Consultation - First Nations Relations

Summary

This position provides specialized expertise to lead, support and advise on First Nation engagement and consultation for large, complex capital water-related infrastructure projects across multiple phases. This role develops and implements First Nation participation, engagement and consultation plans, with the goal of building and maintaining relationships with First Nations through project delivery. This role will focus on leading and supporting regulatory processes and consultation requirements to support the successful delivery of capital infrastructure projects, other major projects and various programs related to water and wastewater. 

Based in the First Nations Relations Division, this role will work in close collaboration with the Infrastructure and Water Services (IWS) Department to assess and advise on potential impacts to Indigenous rights, interests and cultural heritage for any infrastructure improvement or maintenance projects with regulatory implications and authorization needs. This role will also engage and communicate with community members and technical staff from or representing First Nations and will support First Nations related components of the permitting processes.

The incumbent is a self-motivated professional dedicated to anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Success in this role requires adaptability and humility in the evolving landscape of First Nations relations, with a deep understanding of engagement and consultation requirements and processes for major projects.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Leads, coordinates and facilitates relationships and partnerships with First Nations to support project delivery, through meaningful engagement and consultation.
• Leads or supports staff in interpretation and application of applicable and relevant legislation, policies, regulations; and shares knowledge and expertise of First Nations engagement and consultation in the context of major projects and capital infrastructure initiatives.
• Provides professional and technical expertise, guidance and leadership to advise CRD managers and project leads on approaches to carry out meaningful engagement and consultation.
• Directs and supports project staff and engineering consultants on First Nations relations matters, including development and implementation of engagement and consultation plans, participation plans, appropriate documentation and tracking/logging of engagement and consultation activities, records management and relationship management approaches.
• Foster critical linkages and partnerships and serve as a trusted coordinator and liaison between CRD project/service teams, First Nations communities and staff, and other involved partners, including regulatory bodies and other levels of government.
• Provides specialist support to development and application of permits and authorizations, through the lens of First Nations engagement needs and consultation requirements.
• Leads and supports evaluation of prevention and mitigation measures required by authorizations and regulations in collaboration with First Nations.
• Undertakes timely and appropriate actions to address and support the resolution of issues and conflicts that occur during project lifecycles. Proactively identify, assess and take steps to mitigate potential risks and conflicts between CRD projects and First Nations interests or rights.
• Support negotiation and implementation of technical agreements, memorandums of understanding, and/or other participation or partnership-related arrangements related to projects, programs and services, including provisions related to Indigenous employment or procurement.
• Acts as a project lead supporting project teams with contract development, oversight and implementation when consultants are involved to support engagement and consultation efforts with First Nations. 

General Duties 

• Support the First Nations Relations division to achieve corporate mandates and advance priorities related to First Nations relations, while also supporting IWS service delivery and strategic objectives.
• Support Infrastructure and Water Services with First Nations engagement and consultation on a variety of projects and initiatives, including the development and negotiation of service agreements, and various participation and support arrangements related to capital and major projects.
• Provide support to the First Nations Relations division including developing and maintaining organizational system(s) and processes for Project Leads to ensure detailed records of engagement and consultation activities, and take a lead role in guiding project teams in their use/application of these systems and processes.
• Supervise consultants, as required.
• Plan, coordinate and implement a variety of project activities, including serving as project lead where applicable.
• Prepare meeting minutes, reports, letters and communications materials.
• Follow all policies, procedures, and standards of the CRD.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Additional Information

The following are considered assets:

• Project Management Professional (PMP), or other professional or technical designation/certificate
• Experience with environmental assessment, environmental risk management and compliance in the BC Context
• Knowledge of federal and BC provincial legislation and regulations, guidelines and best management practices related to compliance for water or wastewater infrastructure
• Knowledge of water and wastewater-related services or needs/interests related to First Nations communities

We recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and the unique insights that come from lived experiences. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations individuals.

Key Skills & Abilities

• Experience supporting the delivery of capital and major infrastructure projects involving First Nations.
• Demonstrated experience developing, leading and implementing First Nations engagement and consultation processes, and communicating directly with First Nations representatives.
• Knowledge of the history, culture and governance of First Nations communities in the region.
• Ability to assess capital and major infrastructure projects for potential impacts to Indigenous rights, interests, and cultural heritage
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to anticipate and recommend resolutions to complex, inter-related matters and highly political issues that may arise during engagement or consultation.
• Ability to identify and recommend strategies, options, and alternatives to CRD managers and project leads, that balance cultural, territorial, operational feasibility and other considerations.
• Applies an Indigenous inclusion lens to all facets of work, to proactively anticipate gaps and barriers, and identify potential interests and build support within project teams for opportunities such as Indigenous economic development, employment, and other broader community benefits that projects and initiatives may offer.
• Ability to understand planning and engineering-related documentation, and synthesize diverse information (e.g., technical reports, project drawings, input from First Nations, contracts) and provide clear, actionable advice to project teams and CRD leadership.
• Demonstrated facilitation, negotiation and consensus-building skills to support communications and help resolve issues between First Nations communities and other project partners, and act as a liaison between First Nations, various CRD departments, and other levels of government.
• Relationship management skills to build and maintain collaborative relationships with First Nations and other key partners and lead relationship-building forums and/or site visits.
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and professional conduct to influence, collaborate with, and build consensus.
• Ability to influence, facilitate and/or coordinate the work of project team members and consultants engaged in related works.
• Excellent organization skills to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain clear records, briefing materials, and engagement and consultation activities records and decision logs.
• Demonstrated expertise supporting the planning and delivery of large-scale, complex infrastructure projects across multiple phases.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead consultations, deliver presentations, and provide training for CRD staff
• Ability to respond to issues in writing, prepare briefing notes, research and draft staff reports, contribute to issues management plans and presentations.
• Knowledge of and ability to use Office M365 suite including Word, Excel and project scheduling programs and databases.

Qualifications

Certifications