First Nations Liaison Officer
Website BCEnergyReg British Columbia Energy Regulator
Ensuring safe and responsible energy resource activities in B.C.
Job Description
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 northern location.
ABOUT THE JOB:
The First Nations Liaison Officer represents the BC Energy Regulator and supports/protects Crown interests and obligations through collaborative relationships with First Nations.
Reporting to Manager, First Nations Liaison, 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 First Nations Liaison Officer 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, Indigenous Consultation
Manager, First Nations Liaison
First Nations Liaison Officer (Topic Position)
Responsibilities
1. Leads and supports consultative processes with First Nations and corporate representatives to facilitate development of terms and conditions acceptable to First Nations, corporate investors, and the Crown in respect to oil, gas and pipeline project proposals affecting Crown Lands with First Nations interests (60%):
Leads and supports BCER staff in consultative processes with First Nations;
Ensures that 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;
Represents the BCER in meetings with First Nations Chiefs and Councils to consult on complex applications as part of the consultation process;
Makes recommendations to the statutory decision maker on conditions to accommodate potential impacts to First Nation rights and title;
Promotes/facilitates/leads 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;
Oversees the maintenance of the integrity of consultative processes between First Nations and corporate investors as they pertain to industry specific applications;
Documents 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.
2. Develops and maintains working relationships with First Nations and industry representatives to facilitate the on-going identification and resolution of their respective concerns affecting substantive and sensitive issues that influence the BCER’s business objectives (15%):
Cultivates 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;
Interprets BCER management policies, agreements, and processes to First Nations leaders and their representatives in a manner free of technical/engineering language and ambiguities;
3. Provides advice and direction to BCER management and staff regarding First Nations issues and concerns and participates in planning processes for their resolution (15%):
Ensures BCER management is kept current with pending and/or evolving issues affecting First Nations/BCER interface;
Provides technical support information for cooperative agreements between First Nations and the BCER;
Participates in meetings between internal staff and First Nations to develop strategies to achieve common goals;
Represents the BCER on committees involving other ministries and agencies and other governments to address First Nations issues;
Develops processes to assist the BCER with identifying aboriginal rights as an essential feature to BCER business planning processes;
Identifies BCER staff training needs related to aboriginal issues and cross-cultural awareness and participates in development and delivery of appropriate training activities.
4. Performs other duties, such as, but not limited to (10%):
Delivery of presentations to First Nations, industry, BCER staff, and other interested parties;
Responses to general inquiries on aboriginal issues;
Research and organization of information to promote First Nations participation in oil and gas development opportunities.
Qualifications
EDUCATION:
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered to reflect a diversity of learning and experiences.
RELATED EXPERIENCE:
Experience in:
Broad project or policy experience related to environmental or natural resource management.
Working with First Nations or stakeholders to resolve land use conflicts.
Project management including research, policy, and program development.
Leading, or participating in, conversations, facilitations and conflict resolution with First Nations communities, stakeholders, industry, special interest groups, government and the public.
Working with relevant federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations’ regulatory policies, governments, processes, and programs.
Preference may be given to those with experience in the oil and gas industry as it relates to First Nations issues.
Knowledge of:
Working knowledge of Aboriginal law, including experience in research, data collection, and issues management; knowledge of First Nations assertions to rights and titles.
The relationship between aboriginal issues and the mandate of the BCER.
Current, high level environmental issues.
Oil & Gas Commission Act, Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, Pipeline Act, and other legislation related to the oil and gas industry.
Processes for the approval of licenses and permits.
Skills & Abilities:
Ability to exercise judgment and sensitivity in complex and politically sensitive issues.
Excellent public relations, communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to work with limited direction/supervision; to work under pressure with changing priorities.
Ability to determine risk as it relates to First Nations rights or title.
Ability to meet with members of the public, First Nations’ communities, industry and senior government officials.
Ability to prepare clear, concise documents, reports and correspondence for management on a wide range of issues using various pieces of software.
Ability to maintain confidentiality requirements and make decisions in situations where there may be no favorable outcome.
KEY COMPETENCIES:
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.
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.
Conflict Management: the ability to effectively identify, address, and work to resolve conflicts within the organization or externally. It involves managing risks, fostering positive working relationships, and promoting a collaborative and productive work environment.
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.
Organizational Awareness: the acumen to appreciate and the ability to use the power relationships in either one’s own, or other, organization(s). This includes the ability to identify the real decision-makers and the individuals who can influence them; and to predict how new events or situations will affect individuals and groups within the organization.
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.
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 11 pm November 05, 2024. 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
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.
What We Offer:
The BCER operates under a Hybrid Office Model whereby employees work from both a home office and a designated BCER office location in order to support our mandate (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
The BCER is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code. The BCER is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for the removal of barriers for qualified individuals. If you need assistance or accommodation, please let us know. We acknowledge and respect the many Indigenous Territories and Treaty areas, each with unique cultures, languages, legal traditions and relationships to the land and water, which the British Columbia Energy Regulator’s work spans. We also respectfully acknowledge the Métis and Inuit people living across B.C.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you require any assistance or more information.
