Advisor, Reconciliation

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo • Fort McMurray, AB

6d • CA$118,343 - CA$129,438 • Onsite

About The Position

The Indigenous and Rural Relations department is dedicated to fostering strong, respectful, and collaborative relationships with Indigenous and rural communities across the region. The team ensures that municipal programs, services, and decisions are informed by meaningful engagement, cultural awareness and a commitment to reconciliation. Key functions of the department include: Leading engagement and consultation with Indigenous and rural communities. Supporting cultural awareness and reconciliation initiatives across the Municipality. Developing and maintaining protocols that respect Indigenous traditions and practices. Providing advice and guidance to Council and administration on Indigenous and rural matters. Advocating for the unique needs and priorities of rural communities. Partnering on community development projects that enhance inclusion, sustainability and quality of life. By advancing partnerships, supporting community voices, and celebrating the diverse histories and traditions that shape the region, Indigenous and Rural Relations plays a vital role in creating an inclusive and connected Wood Buffalo for today and future generations.

The Advisor, Reconciliation supports the Indigenous and Rural Relations department in its work towards advancing Reconciliation within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (The Municipality). This position will play an essential role in the implementation and promotion of Wood Buffalo’s Path to Reconciliation through the consistent application of effective, meaningful, and positive engagement strategies to create greater public awareness around Truth and Reconciliation, and the Calls to Action that the Municipality has identified for implementation. The primary responsibilities of this position include:

Departmental Advice: Using the Truth and Reconciliation Report (TRC) as a guiding document, and in keeping with corporate goals, plans, and strategic priorities of the Department, the Advisor, Reconciliation will manage the advancement of the projects associated with the Calls to Action identified by the Municipality. This role will serve as a point of contact between municipal departments and Indigenous and rural groups, advising on community concerns and interests, and connecting key people. A critical thinker, the incumbent is expected to identify emerging issues related to the Calls to Action, and recommend effective responses, share complex information in an accessible and understandable manner, develop opportunities for public feedback, and assist with overall program service delivery, while ensuring a positive and accurate representation of the Municipality to the public and its partners.

Key Functions: This role requires a degree of autonomy, using earned credibility and professional judgment to manage the sensitivities related to the TRC Report and the legacy of residential schools. Deliverables may include TRC Report Calls to Action as identified by the Municipality (with a focus on, Call to Action #92), organizing external engagement opportunities, Indigenous and Rural Relations website and content development related to the TRC, engaging in the Reconciliation Advisory Circle, managing quarterly reconciliation newsletters, supporting the Elder-in-Residence Program, as well as National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day awareness campaigns. Extensive knowledge and/or experience in the advancement of economic prosperity to support a better quality of life in Indigenous Communities in the region is essential. The incumbent may also be required to draft briefing notes, proactive crisis communication plans, engagement plans, and surveys. This role will also provide policy or protocol development support, verbal or written information sharing with Indigenous and rural communities and collaborate with internal departments to manage social media messaging and news releases related to Reconciliation. This position will be involved in confidential matters, including legal proceedings, council reports, committee participation, operational reviews, budget development, business planning and contracting services.

Service Delivery: The incumbent will work in collaboration with Elected Officials, the CAO, the Senior Leadership Team, the Manager of Indigenous and Rural Relations, as well as other staff, consultants, contractors, and members of the business community to provide advice that is consistent, innovative, and strategic. While working closely with other members of the department, the incumbent will research, develop, and implement best practices related to Economic Reconciliation and Prosperity, ensuring continuous improvement and ongoing effectiveness. In addition to taking responsibility for any other assigned duties, the position is also a key member in Regional Emergency Coordinator Centre (RECC) support.

Requirements

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with leaders, employees, and external contacts, and interact in a manner that builds trust, credibility, and rapport.
• Ability to interpret legislation and regulations.
• Leadership, motivational, communication, and facilitation skills that enable collaborative work with staff at all levels.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to work on multiple priorities effectively while demonstrating an excellent aptitude for effective teamwork.
• Written and verbal communication skills that allow the incumbent to inform and advise others clearly.
• Problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Must be a self-starter able to work with minimal supervision and direction.
• Ability to understand, analyze and interpret verbal and written direction or content which may be complex in nature.
• Proficient in various computer applications.
• Sound judgement and ability to maintain the confidentiality of material and information.
• Degree in Indigenous Studies, Economic Development, Social Work, Education, Indigenous Law, or equivalent is required.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture issues, communities, and protocols is required.
• Five (5) years of experience in Indigenous relations, working with or in Indigenous communities.
• Submission of a Criminal Record Check.
• A valid Class Five (5) Operator’s License is required as incumbent will be required to operate a personal or municipal vehicle for business use on a regular basis.

Nice To Haves

• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) certification and/or International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) certification is considered an asset.
• A degree in Economics and/or extensive experience with Economic Prosperity and Reconciliation would be considered an asset.
• Experience working on large, longer-term projects is considered an asset.
• Experience working in a public sector environment with unionized and non-unionized employees is considered an asset.
• Clean driver’s abstract is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage the advancement of projects associated with the Calls to Action identified by the Municipality, using the Truth and Reconciliation Report (TRC) as a guiding document.
• Serve as a point of contact between municipal departments and Indigenous and rural groups, advising on community concerns and interests, and connecting key people.
• Identify emerging issues related to the Calls to Action, recommend effective responses, and share complex information in an accessible and understandable manner.
• Develop opportunities for public feedback and assist with overall program service delivery.
• Organize external engagement opportunities.
• Develop Indigenous and Rural Relations website and content related to the TRC.
• Engage in the Reconciliation Advisory Circle.
• Manage quarterly reconciliation newsletters.
• Support the Elder-in-Residence Program.
• Support National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day awareness campaigns.
• Draft briefing notes, proactive crisis communication plans, engagement plans, and surveys.
• Provide policy or protocol development support.
• Share verbal or written information with Indigenous and rural communities.
• Collaborate with internal departments to manage social media messaging and news releases related to Reconciliation.
• Be involved in confidential matters, including legal proceedings, council reports, committee participation, operational reviews, budget development, business planning and contracting services.
• Research, develop, and implement best practices related to Economic Reconciliation and Prosperity.
• Provide advice that is consistent, innovative, and strategic.
• Take responsibility for any other assigned duties.
• Be a key member in Regional Emergency Coordinator Centre (RECC) support.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• The starting salary for this position will be within the range listed above and dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level