POSITIION SUMMARY
The Business Liaison and Referrals Officer (BLRO) will work to protect and advocate for Aboriginal rights and title in business and development. The BLRO will ensure that all referrals and development ventures that may impact SIB rights and title are assessed and subject to SIB best interests and long-term sustainability. The BLRO will confer on development upstream and downstream from Seabird Island traditional lands. Issues such as environmental impacts, access, resource and revenue sharing will all be managed by this position. Seabird Island Band holds the inherent right to our traditional land and territory, and jurisdictional authority over those lands, territories and interests as recognized in Delgamuukw v British Columbia [1997].
The BLRO provides leadership, expertise, and guidance to Seabird Island in developing, enhancing, and implementing mutual benefit agreements with hydro, highways, pipelines, fishing, water use, ocean port expansion etc., ensuring effective rights and title decisions are made and adhered to. All initiatives are viewed with an intent to strengthen our interests and efforts to self-govern our territory. The position will play an integral role within the Inter-Government Affairs team as well as in supporting leadership, management, Chief and Council and internal advisory groups to work with external stakeholders on any and all projects that may impact land use, Indigenous rights and title, and .
General direction for this position is established by Seabird Island and direct direction from the Director of Inter-Government Affairs. The incumbent works with considerable latitude in responding to that direction, in determining the approach and courses of action to achieve the position’s goals and objectives.
SUCCESS PROFILE
What does it take to be successful working in the Inter-Government Affairs at Seabird Island? Check out the top traits we’re looking for and see if you have the right mix.
- Planner: Ability to form short and long-term scheduling of tasks, reports, deadlines, and events.
- Organized: Ability to process and organize electronic and paper documentation and information.
- Personable: A collaborative attitude, participating in the planning, developing, extending services, and promoting effective strategies to encourage a positive workplace atmosphere.
- Communicator: Excellent verbal, written, and listening skills and proven ability to adjust style for various audiences. Being the go-to person for all questions about day-to- day operations.
- Multitasker: The ability to balance competing priorities, meet deadlines, and to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
WORK THAT MATTERS
Seabird Island is a place to learn many skills. We are many nations, but we proclaim one goal to strengthen our pride, our language, our culture, and our freedom.
Seabird Island located 1 kilometer from Agassiz, BC on the beautiful Fraser River, 120 km east of Vancouver.
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BENEFITS & PERKS
Benefits vary by job type, apply after a successful probationary period, and are confirmed in the interview and hiring process.
- Extended health and dental benefits,
- Accrued vacation and sick time,
- Pension plan with matching employer contributions,
- Access to internal training programs, professional development, and skill enhancement,
- Collaboration with an interdisciplinary team,
- Equitable hourly rates, and
- Casual dress code
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Business liaison
- Assume responsibility over referrals with business implications – stakeholder-driven development like pipelines, hydro lines, highways, port expansion, etc., working with stakeholders and Seabird upper management to negotiate Seabird’s strength of claim and rights to consultation, compensation, and / or royalty.
- Develop business cases for rights and titles issues.
- Lobby for / negotiate mutual benefit agreements with external stakeholders.
- Apply our strength of claim database to projects and development.
- Represent Seabird’s rights and title at industry and development meetings.
- Develop cost benefit analyses where required for projects and development that may impact SIB rights and title.
Management and leadership
- Provide support to the Rights and Title division, including management of direct reports:
- work planning, staff development, coaching/mentoring;
- conflict resolution, discipline, and termination recommendations;
- authorizing leaves of absence;
- evaluating the work of staff; and
- promoting shared team goals and collaboration among members.
- Monitor overall performance of Rights and Title against the business plan and budget, including authorization of expenditures.
- Prepare and assist in the preparation of reports and recommendations for the Director and stakeholders.
- Attend Committee, community and other public meetings and events as required.
- Make presentations and provide advice/guidance on Rights and Title related issues and strategies.
Projects:
- Engages in background research, preparing documents and reports, and analyzing data.
- Ensures timely response to potential external stakeholders.
- Manage mutual benefit agreements – drafting, receiving, and incorporating feedback from senior leadership and subject matter experts.
- Develops and manages detailed project schedules and work plans including related spreadsheets, diagrams, GANTT charts and process maps to document needs.
- Prepares referral compensation budgets based on scope of work and resource requirements.
- Tracks project costs to meet budgetary objectives and adjusting project constraints, based on financial analysis.
- Other duties or responsibilities as assigned by your director, or the ED.
WHAT YOU BRING
Qualifications:
- At least a bachelor's degree in business, political science, Aboriginal law or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience or a related postgraduate degree.
- Formal negotiation and advocacy skills.
Experience:
- 5+ years’ experience in a formal negotiating environment.
- 2+ years’ of project management experience, which can include leading a negotiating team.
- Experience in the negotiation and implementation of rights and title agreements.
- Experience in developing a perspective and dollar value to work that will impact Seabird Island Band rights and title.
- Experience that may include knowledge gained from training with Indigenous knowledge holders and Elders.
- Experience in Aboriginal rights and title negotiations preferred.
- Must have experience leading a team and projects with understanding of financial management.
Skills:
- High level understanding of the role and responsibilities of Seabird Island in maintaining and managing rights, title, and interests.
- A business perspective on compensation, mutual benefit agreements, stakeholder participation and outcome development.
- In-depth knowledge of the history and present-day context of Indigenous governments and communities.
- High level understanding of impacts on culture and heritage as they relate to rights, title, and interests.
- High level understanding of the rights and title and other relevant legislation relating to the management of Aboriginal rights and title.
- Must have a working understanding of the Canadian Constitutional Framework.
- Must have highly developed understanding of conflict resolution techniques and experience applying conflict resolution skills.
- Superior ability to deliver presentations to a variety of audiences and to skillfully handle on-the-spot questions from leadership, Chief and Council, advisory groups, members and stakeholders.
- High level written and verbal communication, time management and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to consistently meet deadlines and effectively manage competing priorities.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to understand complex issues.
- Capacity to work with limited supervision.
- Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to adhere to an Oath of Confidentiality agreement, Seabird Island Band Policies and Procedures
- Knowledge, respect, and understanding of Stó: lō culture, history, traditions, and language is considered an asset
- Experience working with First Nations community is considered an asset.
- Valid BC Driver’s License, Class 5 & clean Driver’s Abstract
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check
Reports to: Director of Inter-Government Affairs
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING
- Employment is conditional upon completing pre-employment screening to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which students, staff, members, families, community, as well as resources, and assets are protected. All background checks, reference checks and criminal record checks are performed in accordance with SIB HR Policy, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered during the evaluation.
Seabird Island is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights code, preference may be given to Applicants of Indigenous, Métis, or Inuit heritage. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in Canada; however, we are not able to sponsor visas.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
