Senior Advisor, First Nations Relations

JOB PROFILE POSITION #: 00092799 E-CLASS: 15782

TITLE: SENIOR ADVISOR, FIRST NATIONS RELATIONS CLASSIFICATION: LICENSED SCIENCE OFFICER 3 (OTHER)

MINISTRY: FORESTS, LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCE WORK UNIT: FIRST NATIONS RELATIONS OPERATIONS

SUPERVISOR TITLE: RESOURCE MANAGER SUPERVISOR POSITION #: VARIOUS JOB OVERVIEW To examine controversial issues and proposals which have high economic value, high risk for legal challenges, or high political impacts. Issues and proposals are with regard to the use of natural resources on Crown Land and require a determination of the impact on First Nations’ identified or potential claimed or proven aboriginal interests. This position carries out consultations and negotiations to address First Nations’ concerns while minimizing any negative impacts on provincial revenues. The Senior First Nations Relations Advisor provides leadership to processes which endeavor to anticipate and resolve a broad range of concerns and maximize resource development and provincial revenues. Projects are considered to be high risk to Crown revenue and have a high impact on economic development in region. The position is a recommending authority to Ministry Executive on whether these projects should proceed.

ACCOUNTABILITIES  Provides senior professional advisory services as a specialist in a particular field of expertise (i.e. Forestry, Agrology, Geosciences, or Engineering as it relates to natural resource management) in support of natural resource authorizations.  Facilitates discussions and negotiations between First Nations and industry officials to encourage mutually acceptable settlements, works with both parties to mediate issues, and ensure alignment with provincial and federal legislation and existing agreements.  Negotiates within a defined mandate and/or mediates agreements with First Nations (e.g., land or mineral resource development).

Career Group: Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Job Family: First Nations Relations Job Stream: Role: Scientific and Technical Upload Date: January 2015  Formulates strategies for the development of agreements on technical or contentious issues pertaining to First Nations’ interests, conducts costing and drafts fiscal components.  Ensures First Nations’ interests are considered when ministry policies and programs are developed and implemented.  Provides policy advice and direction to ministry staff regarding First Nations’ issues and advises on appropriate consultation strategies.  Leads and advises other Ministry staff in completing consultations, technical assessments, and preparing advice to decision makers based on compilation of other staff work.  Responds to complex issues relating to First Nations’ economic, land or resource management interests.  Conducts research and assesses First Nations’ interests, rights and title (claimed or proven) and develops reference materials, tools and systems to document information on First Nations’ issues, case law, culture, consultation requirements, and archaeological resources and provides advice to senior management.  Builds and maintains relationships with First Nations groups and organizations to stimulate information sharing and encourage future economic opportunities and/or partnerships.  Coordinates and leads information sharing on behalf of the ministry with other ministries/agencies in order to consolidate work and avoid duplication of effort.  Coordinates and leads information sharing sessions with First Nations, industry clients, the public and Ministry staff to explain federal and provincial legislation, ministry policies and procedures, recent court decisions, aboriginal rights and accommodation/consultation obligations, and the status of treaty processes.  Documents consultation processes and decisions in a legally defensible manner to demonstrate that First Nations engagement, consultation and/or accommodation took place.  Identifies and evaluates potential partnering opportunities between the ministry, First Nations and industry and works to promote economic developments.  Prepares briefing notes, presentations and reports on land use or resource issues and develops options to assist senior management with decision making.  Advises ministry staff on consultation requirements.  Supervises licensed and non-licensed professional and technical staff including assignment of work, development and evaluation of performance plans (MyPerformance) and approval of leave.

Career Group: Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Job Family: First Nations Relations Job Stream: Role: Scientific and Technical Upload Date: January 2015  Support treaty negotiations and regional projects as necessary.

JOB REQUIREMENTS  Master’s Degree in resource management field or other relevant disciplines and 1 year of related experience OR Bachelor’s Degree in resource management field or other relevant disciplines and 2 years’ related experience. Other relevant equivalent combination of education, experience and training may be considered.

 Registered, or immediately eligible for registration, as a professional, with the British Columbia professional association as required by the specialty area (i.e. Registered Professional Forester with the Association of Forest Professionals, Professional Agrologist with Institute of Agrologists, Registered Professional Engineer or Geoscientist with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists).

 Experience in leading or participating in consultations/negotiations with First Nations.

 Experience conducting research and analysis related to land use, resource management, social or economic development issues.

 Experience in policy development and implementation.

 Preference may be given to given to candidates with operational experience in the natural resource field (forestry, water management, range, etc.).

 Preference may be given to candidates with experience supervising staff and providing HR related duties.

 Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES  Collaborative Planning, Organizing and Coordinating (an Aboriginal Relations Behavioural Competency) involves shared planning, establishing priorities jointly, and assigning resources accordingly, with sensitivity to the competing demands faced by Aboriginal people. It is expressed by building plans together prior to acting, and ensuring that plans and resourcing align with their evolving interests and needs. It involves timely monitoring, evaluation and work refinement to deliver on the BC Public Service mandate of supporting Aboriginal self-determination. It means developing staff orientation and managing knowledge so that when a new employee takes up a position within an already established relationship, educating the employee does not automatically and continually fall to Aboriginal people.

Career Group: Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Job Family: First Nations Relations Job Stream: Role: Scientific and Technical Upload Date: January 2015  Cultural Agility (an Aboriginal Relations Behavioural Competency) is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably and effectively with Aboriginal people. It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness in order to create a sense of safety for all. It is openness to unfamiliar experiences, transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation. It is examining one's own culture and worldview and the culture of the BC Public Service, and to notice their commonalities and distinctions with Aboriginal cultures and worldviews. It is recognition of the ways that personal and professional values may conflict or align with those of Aboriginal people. It is the capacity to relate to or allow for differing cultural perspectives and being willing to experience a personal shift in perspective.  Leadership implies a desire to lead others, including diverse teams. Leadership is generally, but not always, demonstrated from a position of formal authority. The "team" here should be understood broadly as any group with which the person interacts regularly.  Teamwork and Cooperation is the ability to work co-operatively within diverse teams, work groups and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals.  Holding People Accountable involves setting high standards of performance and holding team members, other government jurisdictions, outside contractors, industry agencies, etc., accountable for results and actions.  Developing Others involves a genuine intent to foster the long-term learning or development of others through coaching, managing performance and mentoring. Its focus is on developmental intent and effect rather than on a formal role of training. For this competency to be considered, the individual’s actions should be driven by a genuine desire to develop others, rather than by a need to transfer adequate skills to complete tasks.  Flexibility is the ability and willingness to adapt to and work effectively within a variety of diverse situations, and with diverse individuals or groups. Flexibility entails understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue, adapting one's approach as situations change and accepting changes within one's own job or organization.  Long-term Focus combines reasoned and realistic judgement and commitment to key outcomes. It demands a blending of visionary thought and drive with pragmatism and perseverance, and has been described as “steering a steady course through uncharted or difficult waters”. Individuals with this competency have the ability to maintain the commitment of others, and rely upon self-confidence and insight to meet individual, situational or organizational challenges.  Results Orientation is a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one’s own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one has set; or even improving or

Career Group: Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Job Family: First Nations Relations Job Stream: Role: Scientific and Technical Upload Date: January 2015 surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement). Thus, a unique accomplishment also indicates a Results Orientation.  Innovation indicates an effort to improve performance by doing or promoting new things, such as introducing a previously unknown or untried solution or procedure to the specific area or organization.  Improving Operations is the ability and motivation to apply one’s knowledge and past experience for improving upon current modes of operation within the Ministry. This behaviour ranges from adapting widely used approaches to developing entirely new value- added solutions.  Conflict Management is the ability to develop working relationships that facilitate the prevention and/or resolution of conflicts within the organization.

Career Group: Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Job Family: First Nations Relations Job Stream: Role: Scientific and Technical Upload Date: January 2015