Social Planner I (Indigenous Liaison Coordinator - Engineering)

Organization
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ y̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ x̱ wú7mesh(Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents. Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose & Function
Residing in the Engineering Strategy and Standards (ESS) branch, part of the City of Vancouver’s (the “City”) Engineering Services Department (“Engineering”), the Indigenous Liaison Coordinator - Engineering has a matrixed reporting structure to the ESS Branch Manager and the Engineering Indigenous Relations Manager. The role is responsible for supporting the planning, management, and implementation of priority projects and initiatives that relate to local First Nations, Urban Indigenous communities notablyxʷməθkʷəy̓ y̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). In addition, this position is responsible for establishing and maintaining high standards of engagement, communication, and constructive relationships with local First Nations, as they relate to the City’s engineering infrastructure projects and initiatives.

Key responsibilities include: 1) Collaborating with Civil Engagement and Communications and the Indigenous Relations (IR) team to implement a departmental engagement strategy and comprehensive work plans for projects; 2) Acting as a key contact for First Nations and Urban Indigenous peoples engagement during various phases of engineering projects; 3) Providing project management and First Nation engagement support to Engineering and other City staff when there is overlap with Engineering; 4) Leading engineering project teams through the City and local Nations’ referral system 5) Developing, managing and facilitating training regarding Indigenous Cultural Safety, the referral system, and educational webinars for Engineering that may be applicable to other departments.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Understanding and implementing the current City civil engagement strategy and potentially developing a departmental specific engagement strategy. Including, alignment with the City of Vancouver’s “City of Reconciliation” approach
• Maintains a high level of coordinated and documented communication with local First Nations and Urban Indigenous peoples.in
• the form of conversations, correspondence records, reporting, progress tracking and follow-up as they may arise on engineering projects
• Leads and coordinates ESS’ engagement planning, communication, project management through all phases and initiatives related to local First Nations and Urban Indigenous peoples. Including actively prioritizing projects with the IR team
• Leads the coordination, facilitation and tracking (data entry) for training and capacity building for ESS branches processes and engagement approaches
• Acts as a liaison with City departments, Park Board, Vancouver Public Library, and other Engineering branches as required on matters related to local First Nations and Urban Indigenous peoples engagement, archaeological and environmental issues
• Supports Indigenous Relations initiatives and projects
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in planning, engineering, communication, archaeology, public policy, business administration or other related fields.
• Relevant lived experience combined with a broad perspective lens on reconciliation and decolonization, is preferred
• Experience working with local First Nations groups including Urban Indigenous communities andxʷməθkʷəy̓ y̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ x̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) is desirable.
• Experience with diversity, inclusion and equity considerations in a workplace environment, is preferred.
• Experience on projects or initiatives that relate to infrastructure, archaeological, environmental planning and land use, or resource management will be given preference
• Experience in project management, as well as public consultation and facilitation.
• Experience facilitating educational sessions for adult learners is desirable
• Experience in creating, developing and implementing strategies and plans for engagement and collaboration with partners and stakeholders is an asset
• Experience
• working with regulatory bodies, municipal government or other levels of government is an asset
• Experience with archaeological and environmental assessment components of projects is an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Cultural awareness of Indigenous culture and history; including knowledge relating to
• First Nations and Urban Indigenous peoples is a strong asset
• Ability to represent Engineering Services while also understanding and being sensitive of
• First Nations and Urban Indigenous peoples
• interests
• Ability to reconcile differing perspectives, develop consensus, and secure cooperation and support both internally and with external stakeholders and partners
• Excellent organizational, project management, facilitation and public engagement skills
• Working knowledge of policies, guidelines and regulations in BC such as the Provincial Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) and BC Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA).
• Ability to complete assignments in a high pressure, time-sensitive environment using sound professional techniques and independent judgment within the parameters of work assignments
• Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with a wide spectrum of internal and external stakeholder groups and partners both in the course of day-to-day business and in exceptional situations that may be complex and time-sensitive
• Strong proficiency in the use of office productivity tools and GIS (e.g. Windows, Microsoft Office ,Adobe PDF)
• Ability to meet transportation requirements

Are you a subject matter expert with lived experience as First Nations, Inuit or Métis persons looking for an opportunity to advance the City of Vancouver’s relationship with Indigenous peoples and contribute to reconciliation? If so, consider this opportunity to do so with the Engineering Strategy and Standards branch.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance fromtheir work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services (1300)
Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time
Position Start Date: March, 2024
Position End Date: January, 2026

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-029: $47.57 to $56.25 per hour
Application Close: February 9, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we soproudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.
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