First Nations Liaison Officer

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% Job Family Market Multiplier will be added to the posted salary. 
An additional 2.24% Service Improvement Allocation 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 Liaison Officer (FNLO) represents the BCER and supports/protects Crown interests and obligations through collaborative relationships with First Nations. This position provides technical advice and assistance to First Nations groups concerning BCER programs, government policy, and processes. This includes those required to promote industry investment in oil and gas exploration and pipeline development and management in ways intended to secure and safeguard the aims, aspirations and rights of all parties. Further to this, the FNLO conducts consultation, negotiation, and mediation processes to foster project specific agreements between First Nations and corporate investors as they apply to exploration, production and pipeline projects on Crown Lands with First Nations interests.

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 Consultation / Manager, First Nations Liaison
                                                  First Nations Liaison Officer (Topic Position)

Lead and support BCER staff in consultative processes with First Nations.

Ensure the BCER’s regulatory obligation to consult First Nations related to potential adverse impacts to their rights recognized and affirmed under Section 35(1) of the Constitution are met through appropriate consultation processes.

Represent the BCER in meetings with First Nations Chiefs and Councils to consult on complex applications as part of the consultation process.

Make recommendations to the statutory decision maker on conditions to accommodate potential impacts to First Nation rights and title.

Promote, facilitate, and lead discussion and negotiation between concerned First Nations representatives and industry officials to encourage mutually acceptable settlements; working with the parties individually and together to mediate issues in dispute that have been elevated in the consultation process.

Oversee the maintenance of the integrity of consultative processes between First Nations and corporate investors as they pertain to industry specific applications.

Document meetings and discussions between First Nations and BCER staff, industry, and other interested parties (e.g., local and regional governments, the business community, etc.) as they pertain to the implementation and management of industry sponsored projects.

Cultivate development of and working relationships between the BCER, First Nations, and industry to build trust and respect among First Nations and stakeholders often having dissimilar objectives and interests.

Interpret BCER management policies, agreements, and processes to First Nations leaders and their representatives in a manner free of technical/engineering language and ambiguities.

Ensure BCER management is kept current with pending and/or evolving issues affecting First Nations/BCER interface.

Provide technical support information for cooperative agreements between First Nations and the BCER.

Participate in meetings between internal staff and First Nations to develop strategies to achieve common goals.

Represent the BCER on committees involving other ministries and agencies and other governments to address First Nations issues.

Develop processes to assist the BCER with identifying aboriginal rights as an essential feature to BCER business planning processes.

Identify BCER staff training needs related to First Nation issues and cross-cultural awareness and participates in development and delivery of appropriate training activities.

Delivery of presentations to First Nations, industry, BCER staff, and other interested parties.

Respond to general inquiries on First Nations issues.

Research and organization of information to promote First Nations participation in oil and gas development opportunities.

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, such as Environmental, Land Use Management, Natural Resource Management, and three years of directly related experience.

Technical Diploma in a relevant field, such as Environmental, Land Use Management, Natural Resource Management and four years directly related experience; or

An equivalent combination of post-secondary education and training, courses, and directly related experience will be considered to reflect a diversity of learning experience.

Experience:
Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying policies related to environmental or natural resource management.

Demonstrated experience working with First Nations or stakeholders to resolve land use conflicts.

Demonstrated experience in project management including research, policy, and program development.

Demonstrated experience leading or participating in conversations, facilitations and conflict resolution with First Nations communities, stakeholders, industry, special interest groups, government and the public.

Demonstrated experience working with relevant federal, provincial, municipal, and First Nations’ regulatory policies, governments, processes, and programs.

Demonstrated experience managing complex, politically sensitive issues, using judgement and sensitivity when engaging with First Nations and stakeholders. 

Demonstrated experience assessing risks related to First Nations’ rights or title in the context of resource development projects. 

Demonstrated experience using excellent public relations, communication and presentation skills, including for the preparation of clear and concise reports, documents, and correspondence for senior management on a wide range of issues.

Preference may be given to candidates with demonstrated experience working in the oil and gas industry as it relates to First Nations issues.

Preferred work location is Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, or Dawson Creek.

Key Competencies:
Active Listening and Understanding
The ability to fully concentrate, understand, and respond to what is being communicated, while setting aside biases and distractions to fully focus on, respect, and respond to information and opinions shared by others.

Building Trust-Based Relationships
The ability to build and maintain ethical relationships, networks, or contacts with others, while fostering trust through genuine and transparent interactions. It emphasizes integrity and commitment to both personal and professional connections through open exchanges of experiences and culture.

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. 

Stakeholder Engagement
The ability to establish and maintain long-term relationships with internal and external stakeholders, focused on respectful engagement. It involves a collaborative approach to working towards shared goals, grounded in trust and mutual understanding, which contribute to the success of the BCER.

If you are interested in applying for this role and meet the minimum selection criteria, please select “Apply Now” and submit your cover letter and resume 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.