Director of Operations

Opportunity Profile
Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government / Ucluelet First Nation
Director of Operations

Ucluelet First Nation

The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government – Ucluelet First Nation – is a modern treaty government located in the community of Hitacu, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, on the eastern shore of Ucluelet Inlet. Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (people of the safe harbour) have lived along Vancouver Island’s west coast since time immemorial Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ is made up of the families from 9 different villages: hitaču, ƛakmaqis, ʔuuc, k̓ʷinaqułtḥ, namint, yuułuʔił, w̓aayi, huʔuł, and kʷisitis; and is one of the nuučaanuł (Nuu-chah-nulth) nations.

There are approximately 700 Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Citizens located in hitac̓u, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Campbell River, and across Canada and the United States. Its Government jurisdiction extends over nearly 5,500 hectares of Treaty Settlement Land surrounding the community of hitac̓u, as well as territory north of Ucluelet, in the Effingham Inlet and along the Nahmint River.

The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government is a member of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society, and through the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, is a modern treaty nation operating with a government-to-government relationship with Canada and the province of British Columbia. Also a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government continues to promote education and community programs that enhance Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and Nuu-chah-nulth identity.

Maa-nulth Final Agreement

The Nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council entered into the negotiation process with the BC Treaty Commission in 1994. In 2004 five nations voted ‘yes’ on the Agreement-in-Principle then formed the Maa-nulth First Nations which allowed them to continue negotiations together. After nearly two decades of negotiation, the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement was ratified and implemented on April 1, 2011.

The Maa-nulth Final Agreement is among the first Final Agreements reached in the province under the British Columbia treaty process. The Final Agreement sets out each Maa-nulth First Nation’s rights and benefits respecting land and resources, and self-government over its lands and resources and its citizens. The Final Agreement provides certainty for all parties with respect to ownership and management of lands and resources and the exercise of federal, provincial and Maa-nulth First Nation governmental powers and authorities.

Each Maa-nulth First Nation government will have law-making authority over its land, although federal and provincial laws will apply concurrently with Maa-nulth First Nation laws. Ucluelet First Nation will also own, as private fee-simple lands, eight surplus federal government lots in the District of Ucluelet. These are not Maa-nulth First Nation Lands, and therefore the Ucluelet First Nation government will not have law-making authority over them; ownership will be the same as for any other private landowner in British Columbia

Each Maa-nulth First Nation government can make laws applicable on its Maa-nulth First Nation Lands to preserve, promote and develop the Nuu-chah-nulth language and Nuu-chah-nulth culture. The Maa-nulth First Nations will also have a role with respect to the manner and extent to which Maa-nulth First Nations culture will be reflected in the management of federal and provincial parks.

For additional information and general overview of the Maa-nuulth Final Agreement, please visit: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/aanc-inac/R32-495-2006-1-eng.pdf

The Role – Director of Operations

Reporting to the President, the Director of Operations is responsible for providing the leadership, direction and overall management of the administration and operating affairs of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government. This includes policy development and administration, human resource management, financial management, projects and programs, and the development and management for formal plans, strategies and goals in support of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government.  

A collaborative and trustworthy leader, the Director of Operations will perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government Act, rules, policies, standards and procedures as a modern treaty government as a member of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society and via the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, and as directed by the Executive. They will maintain confidentiality on all matters relating to the affairs of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and will be an approachable, communicative leader who is committed to working collectively with other departments and treaty Nations.

The office of the Director of Operations is responsible for providing policy leadership and overall policy direction to personnel, the Personnel Committee and the Executive, and for providing the overall leadership and management of the Administration, including personnel, hiring, management, standards, programs, and operations. The following services are provided from this office: 

Leadership 

• Provides leadership to the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government in the planning, development and management of the Administration, Program / Department and Operating affairs of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government
• Provides leadership, direction and support to Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government Administration employees in the exercise of their responsibilities and authority 

• Provides leadership and support to the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Community to ensure their needs for Administration programs and services are identified, communicated and administered, as approved

Responsibilities to the Executive 

The Yuułuʔiłʔath Government (YG) are committed to the development, administration and consistent application of written policy, practices and procedures to guide our employment practices. All HR policies, practices and procedures are reviewed regularly.

The Director of Operations holds responsibility for the development, communication, fair application, and oversight of operational HR policy management. The Executive approves Human Resource policy. Moreover, the Director of Operations has a role in providing direction on legislation and in the drafting process, and will attend legislature meetings as required. Both the Executive and Administration of the YG are committed to ensuring that the HR policy, procedures and practices reflect:  

• Yuułuʔiłʔath values
• Transparency in defining and administering the terms and conditions of employment
• Respectful and fair treatment of employees
• Fair and consistent management practices and accountability 

• Best practice policies and procedures of similar external organizations
• Provisions of the Canada Labour Code, Privacy Act of Canada, Canadian Human Rights Act and other applicable legislation; and
• YG Acts and Legislation  

The Director of Operations will:

• Attend Executive meetings, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Community meetings, and other special meetings when deemed appropriate by the Executive
• Ensure the Executive directives and resolutions are communicated and implemented
• Ensure that financial statements are presented to the Executive for review and approval at least quarterly, or as directed by the Executive
• Provide regular and special reports to the Executive 

• Assist the Executive in the orientation of new Executive members
• Develop agenda items for Executive meetings
• Support the activities of Executive Committees and provide Committees with information and support to perform their duties; and
• Keep the Executive informed of sensitive and important internal and external matters and information that may influence the administration and operating affairs of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government 

Planning 

• Provides leadership and support to the Executive in the development, review, and implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and ensuring alignment of individual department work plans and goalsb

• Oversees the review, development, and management of all formal financial, physical, community, capital, human resource management, and department I program plans for the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government 

Policy 

• Oversees the development, amendment and administration of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government policies and procedures, including but not limited to:
• Human Resource Policy
• Financial Policy
• Program / Department Policy
• General Administration
• Operating Policy; and
• Emergency Planning 
   
• Oversees the distribution and communication of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government policy, to the following: 
• Executive
• Employees
• Legislature
• Standing Committees
• Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
• Community members, where appropriate; and
• Independent Contractors or Agents, as applicable 
  
  Human Resource Management

The Director of Operations is responsible for implementing and administering HR policy and practices as approved and directed by the Executive. In such time until an HR Manager is brought onto the team, the Director of Operations will be heavily involved in all facets of Human Resource Management, including but not limited to: 

• Overseeing the process, areas, and responsibilities relating to employee recruitment, hiring, training, discipline, suspension, termination and overall human resource administration and management, to include specific responsibility and authority for:
• Advising the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government respecting regulations, standards, policies and procedures relating to employees
• Ensuring departments have the capacity to achieve their goals
• Developing and implementing human resource standards, policies and procedures
• Providing direction, advice or assistance to department directors / managers in the carrying out of regulations, standards, policies and procedures relating to employees 
• Recruiting, selecting and appointing, or providing for the recruitment, selection and appointment of, employees to or within the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government
  
   
• Developing, providing, assisting in or coordinating staff training, educational and career development programs, including:
• Establishing and maintaining job evaluation and classification plans
• Establishing and maintaining occupational health and safety programs; and
• Developing and implementing employment equity policies and programs 
   
• Maintaining effective communication amongst all employees and ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood
• Reviewing and developing a compensation program
• Reviewing and developing working conditions
• Developing, implementing and maintaining a process to monitor, audit and evaluate delegations to ensure compliance with the Government Personnel Act and the regulations
• Developing and implementing processes to ensure effective human resource planning and organizational structures 
• Administering employee discipline; and
• Performing other duties and exercising other authority assigned by the President respecting employees, consistent with the Government Personnel Act and the regulations  

Management and Administration:

• Oversees all management and administration affairs of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government, ensuring its efficient and effective operation to include responsibility and authority for: 
• Exercising control and management of the administrative business and affairs of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government in accordance with Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ law and customs, and through the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement
• Establishing and overseeing administrative policies, practices and procedures necessary to effectively implement Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ policies and programs
• Advising the President and Executive while ensuring that decisions of Executive are implemented
• Ensuring that the annual budget is prepared and implemented
• Safeguarding the financial integrity of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government by identifying, assessing, monitoring and reporting on financial risks, fraud risks and mitigating measures
• Ensuring the accountability of the operations of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government, including the activities of management
   
• Overseeing the development and management of all administration projects and programs of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government, to include and related to:
• Financial Management
• Asset Management
• Lands and Resource
• Community Services
• Administration Services
• Language, Culture, and Heritage; and
• Communications and Public Relations
   
• Directing persons who are retained to provide services for the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ government
• Developing, overseeing, and administering contracts and agreements entered on behalf of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government
• Oversees the day-to-day management of the general administration affairs of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government Administration
• Coordinates and chairs Program and Department Directors / Managers Management meetings, as applicable
• Monitors and reviews private sector, federal, provincial, regional government interests, hearings, reports and initiatives, which may influence or affect the administration and operations of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government
• Ensures that the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government Administration manages and operates in accordance with applicable government laws, regulations and requirements
• Liaises with other modern treaty organizations, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council members, and Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments in support of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government, as required; and
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary in the performance of the position, and as assigned by the President                 

Position Qualifications

Education/Training

• Completion of post-secondary education in Public Administration or Business Administration or other relevant education

Experience:

• At least ten (10) years related experience in local government administration with at least three (3) years’ experience in a senior management position
• Demonstrated experience in staff and budget management, planning, funding, policy development, and program management
• Experience in the overall management of capital projects is preferred
• Experience in policy development and the funding and management of First Nation Programs and Services, especially as they relate to modern treaty governments, is preferred
• Previous experience working for a self-governing First Nation is an asset

Personal Qualifications and Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of intergenerational trauma, the effects of colonization and residential schools, and a trauma-informed workplace  
• Knowledge of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and Nuu-chah-nulth culture and identity
• Knowledge of Modern Treaty Nation implementation issues
• Knowledge of government of B.C.’s reconciliation vision and implications for First Nations, including the implementation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action
• Prior senior management experience in a First Nations organization or government
• Experience in intergovernmental relations
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans
• Exceptional leadership skills
• Ability to support and mentor others
• Concise verbal and written communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to quickly build rapport and trust
• Tactful and diplomatic with a high degree of integrity and ethics
• A strategic and analytical thinker
• Team-oriented
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. Ability to mediate competing priorities and opinions. Resolving complex conflict issues in a culturally appropriate manner 
• Ability to keep calm under pressure and ability to make decisions in a timely manner
• Proficient with computers and possesses the ability to learn new programs quickly
• Strong understanding of human resources, and strategic planning
• Knowledge of financial management practices and ability to seek funding, prepare proposals, manage budgets and work within limited funds
• Extensive knowledge of First Nation administration and Executive relations

Location: Ucluelet First Nation, Hitacu, British Columbia

Located just over 4 hours from Victoria and within an hour of Tofino, the community of Hitacu – and Ucluelet First Nation – is on the west coast of Vancouver Island, straddling the eastern shore of Ucluelet Inlet. Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (people of the safe harbour) have lived along Vancouver Island’s west coast for thousands of years. Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ is made up of the families from 9 different villages: hitaču, ƛakmaqis, ʔuuc, k̓ʷinaqułtḥ, namint, yuułuʔił, w̓aayi, huʔuł, and kʷisitis; and is one of the nuučaanuł (Nuu-chah-nulth) nations.

There are approximately 700 Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Citizens located in hitac̓u, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Campbell River, and across Canada and the United States. Its Government jurisdiction extends over nearly 5,500 hectares of Treaty Settlement Land surrounding the community of hitac̓u, as well as territory north of Ucluelet, in the Effingham Inlet and along the Nahmint River.

Ucluelet First Nation also has a satellite office in Port Alberni, British Columbia, providing services to the approximately 70% Ucluelet First Nation citizens who live away from Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Treaty Settlement Lands, including over 140 who live in Port Alberni. The satellite office is currently funded through the Interfor Impact Benefit Agreement between the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and Interfor.

By maintaining a satellite office in Port Alberni, the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government can provide another avenue for citizens to engage with their government. The office aids citizens seeking information, forms, applications, and functions as a venue for engagement sessions.

To Apply

For more details or to further explore this important strategic leadership opportunity, please contact:

Laurie Sterritt • Partner
Leaders International
Telephone: 778-838-4569
LaurieS@leadersinternational.com

Katy Gottfriedson-Jasper • Senior Consultant
Leaders International
Telephone: 250-318-6788
KatyGJ@leadersinternational.com

Saxon Miller • Consultant
Leaders International
Telephone: 204-299-7054
SaxonM@leadersinternational.com

To apply, please submit a Cover Letter and Resume directly to vancouver@leadersinternational.com outlining your interest, qualifications, and experience.