Job Responsibility:

Leq'á:mel First Nation

41320 Lougheed Hwy Tel: 236-437-2366Deroche, BC V0M 1G0

POSITION: Watershed Authorizations Officer

REPORTS TO: Director of Lands and Natural ResourcesGovernance or their designate

POSITION TYPE: Full-Time, Temporary (position funded until March 31, with the possibility of extension)

ABOUT LEQ'Á:MEL FIRST NATIONLeq'a:mel First Nation (LFN) is a small, self-governing Indigenous community located in the Fraser Valley. We assert our rights as Stó:l? and Coast Salish people over our reserve lands and our Territory. We have a small but dedicated team of professionals who assist our community and leadership in achieving their goals and objectives. We offer a safe and positive work environment. We expect that all employees respect, are familiar with, or are willing to learn about Stó:l? and Leq'a:mel culture, traditions, and language.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONThe Leq'a:mel Watershed Authorizations Officer plays a lead role in implementing Leq'a:mel Watershed Resilience planning and related project authorizations within three sub-watersheds in Leq'a:mel Territory: Nicomen Island, Hatzic Prairie and Sumas Prairie. The Officer will ensure a consistent, Indigenous-led approach to watershed authorizations across the three sub-watersheds that is founded in a collaborative and holistic approach, and Leq'á:mel Law. This role will play a lead role in building the capacity of the LNRD to authorize or give consent to land development or other activities that have an impact on our watershed, including soil and sediment removal, relocation and deposits, as well as supporting or commenting on Provincial (Water Sustainability Act) and Federal (Fisheries Act) authorizations that may be necessary pursuant to our watershed resilience activities in the three watersheds. The position is intended to bring technical capacity to the LNRD for advancing land development authorizations processes on-reserve under the Leq'a:mel Land Code. The position will work together with other LNRD staff and project partners in ensuring that LLNRD meets the deliverables of the EMCR Watershed Recovery Initiative.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Project management - watershed authorizations. Through effective project management, the Officer will lead a Leq'a:mel-driven process that promotes collaboration and integration of Leq'a:mel, Provincial and Federal Laws, applying a consistent, climate-informed,



and holistic approach for major watershed projects and their authorizations in the three sub-watersheds (Nicomen Island, Hatzic Lake and Sumas Lake/Prairie), including:

-Leading creek sediment removal projects, ensuring where appropriatecompliance with LFN Law, and facilitating and supporting project-related WaterSustainability Act (WSA) and Fisheries Act Authorization (FAA) requests on andoff reserve.-Coordinating and leading the authorization process for Soil removals,transport and deposits on-reserve under the LFN Soil Transport, Deposit andRemoval Law, in relation to Deroche Creek and other watershed-relate projectsoccurring on Leq'a:mel Reserve Lands.-Supporting the Director in implementing the authorizations process forLeq'á:mel-led economic initiatives on-reserve, in partnership with the Leq'á:melDevelopment Corporation, Leq'á:mel members and other proponents.-Supporting resolution of unsanctioned wetland filling in the Agricultural LandReserve.-Supporting and directing the Leq'a:mel Guardians in the conduct ofenvironmental and cultural monitoring related to watershed resilience projects.-Supporting and leading environmental and cultural assessments, other studiesand research needed in project authorizations.-Conducting compliance monitoring and reporting on all authorizations.

- Watershed Recovery Administration:

-Project budgeting and cost tracking, invoicing, coding.-Contract management-Liaising with applicants, contractors, professionals, knowledge holders and otherstakeholders and experts as needed-Work Planning and Project Implementation-Drafting, revising and Issuing LFN Permits for works occurring on-reserve incollaboration with the Director and other LNRD staff.

- Grant Reporting and compliance monitoring
- Intergovernmental Relations: engaging with all levels of government, identifying authorization processes, information requirements, and developing positive technical relationships to support sound decision-making by leadership.
- Community engagement support, including supporting community events, outreach and education efforts designed at raising awareness and mobilizing knowledge of watershed health, climate resilience,



and promoting Leq'á:mel's authority as it relates to watershed governance, and assisting in building consensus from diverse stakeholders and rights holders on watershed recovery and resilience projects and planning.
- Support long-term policy, planning and strategic recommendations on watershed health and resilience.KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND OTHER COMPETENCIES
- Bachelors Degree or Masters Degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Management, Watershed Engineering, or other training or certification that may be relevant for watershed governance as described above, or an acceptable combination of experience and training.
- Knowledge and familiarity with watershed health and watershed impacts associated with the November Atmospheric River Event.
- Knowledge and familiarity with Indigenous, Provincial and Federal approvals processes, impact assessments, and related regulatory requirements involving water and watersheds.
- Knowledge and familiarity with climate change and it's increasing impact on watershed health
- Knowledge and familiarity with Indigenous rights, title and jurisdiction.
- Knowledge and familiarity of Sto:lo/Leq'á:mel FN culture, traditions, history and language
- Knowledge of Hatzic Prairie, Nicomen Island and Sumas Prairie, neighbouring First Nations and other stakeholders
- Ability to develop and maintain strong, positive and collaborative working relationships
- Ability to be innovative, take initiative, and think outside the box, including Land Code, and related approval processes.
- Strong project management and administrative experience, and an ability to lead large projects from start to completion. Experience in consultation, negotiation, and dispute resolution
- Class 5 DL - drivers abstract
- Organized, effective time management, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Passionate for change.

Interested applicants can submit a resume to: View email address on ca.edajobs.com. Subject line: Watershed Authorizations Officer

Applications will be accepted until Dec 11.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $60,000.00-$80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Company pension
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- In office parking
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

- Overtime pay

Work Location: In person

📌 Watershed Authorizations Officer (Deroche)
🏢 Leq'a:mel First Nation
📍 Deroche