Senior Indigenous Engagement & Planning Specialist

The Opportunity:

WSP is seeking a Senior Indigenous Engagement & Planning Specialist to join our BC and Yukon Earth and Environment team on a full-time basis. In this role, you will work alongside our team of environmental scientists, social scientists, cultural heritage and engagement specialists who work throughout BC, Canada, and internationally on environmental impact assessments, environmental permitting, policy and program development, impact management planning, and sustainability initiatives.

As part of WSP's commitment to working with Indigenous communities, this position is accountable for planning and carrying out Indigenous engagement in BC, working collaboratively with Indigenous nations and communities on studies as part of this work, and contributing to the development of our Indigenous engagement practice. The successful candidate will be provided the opportunity to work on interesting and diverse projects across WSP's practice areas and business lines.

Why choose WSP?

• We value and are committed to upholding a culture of inclusion and belonging
• Our Flexible Work Policy - we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours. We will support you on and off the job so you can be fully present in both your work and home lives.
• A Canadian success story - we're proud to wear the red and white of this beautiful country and show the world what Canada has to offer.
• Enhance the world around you - from the environment to the highways, to the buildings and the terrain, WSP is the fabric of Canada.
• Outstanding career opportunities - we're growing and pushing ourselves every day to be greater than yesterday - we're open to your ideas and trying new things.
• A phenomenal collaborative culture and a workforce filled with genuinely good people who are doing humbly important work. Come find out for yourself what it's like to be a part of our journey.

We offer attractive pay, flexible work options, a great corporate culture, comprehensive and employee-focused benefits including virtual healthcare and a wellness platform as well as great savings programs, and a clear vision for the future.

#WeAreWSP

What you can expect to do here:

• You will engage with Indigenous communities to support environmental assessment and permitting of our clients' projects. The work will include preparing engagement plans, carrying out engagement activities on behalf of our clients and supporting the participation of Indigenous nations and communities in regulatory processes, and tracking and reporting on the results of consultation and engagement.
• In collaboration with Indigenous nations and communities, you will support the completion of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Land Use studies, assessment of the impacts of projects on Indigenous rights and interests, and developing mitigation, accommodation and monitoring programs.
• As part of environmental assessment and permitting project teams, you will support the integration of Indigenous Knowledge, issues, interests and input across disciplines and throughout the regulatory process.
• You will work in communities in various parts of British Columbia, including remote communities as field work and travel are essential components of the work, with opportunities to work across Canada and internationally depending on project need.
• You will act as a subject matter expert on Indigenous relations and providing strategic advice to all WSP business lines within British Columbia and collaborating with other Indigenous Relations and Engagement team members nationally, as needed.
• You will remain current and contribute to the continual advancement of good practices in engagement and Indigenous participation consistent with the expectations of Indigenous nations, regulatory requirements, and international standards.
• You will contribute to proposal preparation, technical presentations and publications.
• You will assist with marketing WSP's Indigenous engagement services under the direction of senior staff.
• You will support the work of WSP's corporate Indigenous Relations team by contributing to the development of meaningful relationships with Indigenous leadership, communities, groups, and businesses, while adhering to WSP's Indigenous Relations Policy and direction from the national and regional Indigenous Relations leads.
• You will be highly collaborative, supporting the participation of Indigenous nations and communities in regulatory processes and project development.

What you'll bring to WSP:

• A degree or professional designation is preferred (such as social sciences), although proven practical experience is also highly valued;
• A minimum of 5 years working in a similar role in the private sector or for an Indigenous nation;
• An in-depth knowledge of Indigenous history, culture and governance in BC;
• An in-depth knowledge of the BC and Canadian regulatory and policy context, including leading practice in Indigenous engagement and participation;
• Practical experience working with Indigenous leadership and communities in British Columbia;
• Great communication skills, both oral and written. Knowledge of an Indigenous language would be an asset;
• Excellent work ethic, with strong organization and time management skills;
• A valid driver license and access to transportation;
• A strong passion - WSP will give serious consideration to candidates that may not demonstrate all the above qualifications but show promise and a desire to develop their career in this area of practice.

WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms. Our purpose is to future proof our cities and environments.

We have over 65,000 team members across the globe. In Canada, our 12,000+ people are involved in everything from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transportation networks, from finding new ways to extract essential resources to developing renewable power sources for the future.

At WSP:

• We value our people and our reputation
• We are locally dedicated with international scale
• We are future focused and challenge the status quo
• We foster collaboration in everything we do
• We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable

Please Note:

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations.

Offers of employment for safety-sensitive positions involving fieldwork are contingent upon candidates being able to perform key physical tasks of the job as described in the job posting and interview. This may include the ability to work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. For more information please READ THE FULL POLICY.