Indigenous Relations Specialist

Classification: Grid 27, BCGEU Membership

Office Location: All BCER Locations

Salary: $83,312.49 – $94,991.51 – Permanent Full-Time, based on a 35-hour work week.
An additional 10.75% Job Family Market Multiplier will be added to the posted salary. 
An additional 3% Location Allowance will be added to posted salary for employees based in Fort St John, Dawson Creek, Prince George, and Terrace.
An additional 13% Location Allowance will be added to posted salary for employees based in Fort Nelson.

About the Job:               
The First Nations Relations Team provides strategic support, from operations to policy, across the BCER (including to the Executive team and Board of Directors), to meet its legal obligations and reconciliation goals. Building trusting relationships, co-developing new processes and business models, capacity building, and transparent communication are important cornerstones to ensure the organization remains innovative and adaptable to a dynamic First Nations Relations environment.

As an expert for the BCER on First Nations Relations, the Indigenous Relations Specialist (Specialist) builds internal and external relationships as required with partners and across BCER branches, as well as with, provincial ministries and agencies, stakeholders, the public, and other levels of government. The Specialist supports creating respectful relationships and helps enable the participation of First Nations throughout the regulatory lifecycle to advance reconciliation and meet the BCER’s legal obligations.

The Specialist supports the development and leads the implementation of a broad range of initiatives related to the BCER’s work including relationship strategies and programs, business improvement projects, tools for supporting regulatory alignment of laws, decision-making, engagement, communications, and various other products. The Specialist conducts research and data analysis to provide expert advice to the BCER on recommended options regarding complex and sensitive issues that influence the BCER’s regulatory role and supports the development and implementation of BCER programs, regulations, and legislation.

Organization Chart: 
Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer
          Executive Vice President, Resource Management & Stewardship
                    Vice President, Responsible Development & Indigenous Relations
                              Executive Director, Indigenous Relations
                                        Director, First Nations Relations / Manager, First Nations Relations
                                                  Indigenous Relations Specialist

Responsibilities

Proactively develop respectful relationships with First Nations leadership and technical staff.

Coordinate First Nations relations activities across the BCER, including supporting multiple priorities and keeping impeccable records; briefs supervisor and senior management on key issues as required.

Develop and coordinate the delivery of capacity funding, community engagement, and education programs as well as special projects related to involving First Nations and Indigenous people in environmental stewardship, land reclamation, consultation, emergency response, and other aspects of the BCER’s regulatory role.

Liaise with internal subject matter experts and work across departments to deliver projects and initiatives, including, coordinating, advising, and supporting on First Nations issues and interests.

Monitor various internal and external projects and initiatives to ensure consistency with BCER policies and strategic goals.   

Research and develop new approaches to relationship building, business process improvements, supporting Alignment of Laws (Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Section 3) processes, decision-making, engagement, communications, and various other products.

Develop, coordinate, implement, and monitor projects to advance reconciliation, including conducting reviews to ensure alignment with Provincial policy, legal obligations, and reconciliation goals, as well as recommending and implementing improvements.

Prepare written and oral communications for external and internal audiences (such as presentations, briefing notes, blog posts, newsletters), including BCER leadership and Executive, on key issues and initiatives. 

Identify solutions and strategies to complex problems with cross agency implications for a wide variety of sensitive issues and barriers to change, including cross divisional organizational changes and systemic organizational change. 

Support multi-agency initiatives associated with the BCER’s mandate by representing the BCER on Provincial committees and/or working groups, as required.

Other related duties or special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:
Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a related field such as Anthropology, Environmental Management, Geography, Indigenous Studies, Land Use Planning, Land Use Management, Land and Resource Management, Natural Resource Management or similar, and three years of relevant experience; or

Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a relevant field such as Anthropology, Environmental Management, Geography, Indigenous Studies, Land Use Planning, Land Use Management, Land and Resource Management, Natural Resource Management or similar, and five years of relevant experience; or 

Technical diploma in related field such as Anthropology, Environmental Management, Geography, Indigenous Studies, Land Use Planning, Land Use Management, Land and Resource Management, Natural Resource Management or similar, and seven years of relevant experience. 

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Experience:
Demonstrated experience working with First Nations and Indigenous groups and knowledge of Indigenous issues, governance, case law and how natural resource development affects Indigenous people.

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act in relationship to British Columbia and resource development; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and other relevant federal and provincial policies and legislation.

Demonstrated experience planning, developing, organizing and managing concurrent projects with multiple, competing priorities and rigid deadlines.

Demonstrated knowledge of statutory decision making, engagement and relationship building processes.

Demonstrated experience with interdepartmental coordination and working with professional multi-disciplinary teams in a dynamic working environment such as leading working groups or participating in committees.

Demonstrated experience in multi-party facilitation, negotiations and conflict resolution in a cross-cultural setting with Indigenous groups, stakeholders and/or government.

Demonstrated experience in research and analysis related to land use or resource management.

Demonstrated experience using excellent public relations, communication and presentation skills, exemplary organizational skills, including the ability to handle highly confidential matters. 

Demonstrated ability to examine data, draw conclusions, and solve problems.

Demonstrated ability to anticipate, identify, clarify, assess, and resolve issues and situations quickly. 

Key Competencies:
Cultural Agility
The ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with diverse cultures by recognizing and adapting to cultural differences, fostering positive and collaborative relationships. It involves openness to unfamiliar experiences and the willingness to experience a personal shift in perspective.

Change Management 
The ability to support and guide organizational change initiatives, ensuring that members understand the implications and benefits of change while providing ongoing guidance and support to maintain enthusiasm and commitment. Individuals with this competency embrace and champion change, facilitating successful implementation through effective communication and management of resistance.

Problem solving and Judgement 
The ability to systematically analyze problems, identify root causes, evaluate potential solutions, and make sound decisions to address challenges and achieve desired outcomes.

Strategic Orientation 
The ability to link long-term visions and concepts to daily work. An awareness of how external factors impact organizational strategies and choices. It involves analyzing the environment, organization, and use of technology to design effective strategies.

Team Building
The ability to develop group identity, facilitate decision-making, and foster open and effective communication within diverse teams across the organization. It involves building and sustaining trust through integrity, concern for others, consistent behaviour, following through on commitments, and promoting open communication.

If you are interested in applying for this role and meet the minimum selection criteria, please select “Apply Now” and submit your application prior to the closing date. Applicants should review the education and experience listed in the job requisition and clearly articulate how their work experience and skills are aligned with the requirements. Please note, applicants will only be contacted if they are selected to proceed further in the process. An eligibility list with a duration of 6 months may be established.

About Us

About the BC Energy Regulator: 

The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) is the Province of B.C.’s life-cycle energy resources regulator. The BCER is a Crown agency with a mandate to ensure energy resource activities are undertaken in a manner that: protects public safety and the environment, supports reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the transition to low-carbon energy, conserves energy resources and fosters a sound economy and social well-being. 

As a cost recoverable, values driven organization, we prioritize safety, stewardship and Indigenous interests throughout the full project lifecycle – from exploration to reclamation – and support the transition to clean energy. The BCER is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, honouring the Provincial commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action. Through fostering respectful and collaborative relationships with Indigenous partners and stakeholders, the BCER delivers on Government’s priorities. 

The BCER has an innovative forward-thinking workplace that demonstrates our core values. Through continuous improvement and development, the BCER is agile and responsive to the rapidly changing environment in which we operate. We are diverse and inclusive, with transparency, innovation, and integrity as foundation of our respectful culture.

About the TeamThe Responsible Development & Indigenous Relations Department leads the organization’s efforts for responsible energy development and the need to meet its commitments to the successful implementation of B.C.’s mandate under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) as well as organization’s strategic goals respecting reconciliation. The Department leads the end-to-end application review process while considering the environmental impacts of energy development in the province and those impacts for energy resources on Indigenous People. The team is also accountable for leading the implementation of the organization’s transformational approach to application reviews with Indigenous nations.