Director, Lands Management. – Application deadline October 2, 2026.

Yellowknives Dene First Nation; Yellowknife; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Yellowknives Dene First Nation seeks a Director of Lands Management to lead land use planning, land administration and strategic land policy. You will oversee land tenure, a land registry, and PTO processes while coordinating with CEO and other departments.

The role requires advanced GIS and data analysis skills, strong leadership, and experience working with a First Nation organization. A detailed job description is available upon request.

Qualifications

• :Post-secondary diploma or degree in land use planning or related field with four years of work experience
• :Equivalent education plus six years of related experience

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the application of land planning theories for sustainable resource use.
• Manage land administration and tenure within Chief Drygeese Territory.
• Lead the development and maintenance of land registry and PTO policies.
• Advance the YKDFN Land Planning Program and formulate land plans.

Skills

Land use planning

GIS

Data analysis

Team leadership

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Time management

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in land use planning/related field

Four years of work experience; or six years with equivalent

Tools

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

The Director of Lands Management will provide effective and efficient operation in areas of land use planning, land administration and through the provision of technical land management services for all aspects of land and resource management matters undertaken by the YKDFN Lands Department. The position is responsible for maintaining and implementing strategic plans and coordination of the Departments functions with other key YKDFN Departments.

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the authority of the YKDFN Chiefs and Council and under the direct supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the interdisciplinary incumbent is the lead in the development and research of land use policy, land administration, relevant legislative matters and provides a wide range of strategic, policy and land management advice on a broad range of operational, political, and sensitive topics to the Chief Executive Officer.

Duties and Responsbilities

• Directing the application of theories and principles of regional geography and planning for socially / culturally/ ecologically/ economically sustainable resource use.
• Manage and administer all operations of land administration and land tenure within Chief Drygeese Territory:
• Implement, maintain, and manage a land registry system of land occupancy for both member and non-member land use.
• Establish and maintain a procedure and policy manual to guide the internal review of requests for Permission to Occupy (PTO) Lands and temporary non-member land use.
• Lead internal and external discussions on all matters where land tenure is required including the establishment of Parks and Conservation Areas.
• Manage and implement the YKDFN Land Planning Program:
• Lead the formulation of Land Plans to guide decision making within the Chief Drygeese Territory and YKDFN Communities.
• Manage and administer all financial responsibilities and obligations in order to ensure that the YKDFN Lands Department is operating within the YKDFN Finance Policy and Procedures manual:
• Write proposals to secure, from a variety of sources, government, and non-government funding to support the Department of Lands.
• In collaboration with the Human Resources Manager, manage human resources within the YKDFN Lands Department to ensure that all staff are capable of completing assigned tasks and that morale within the Lands Department is maintained.
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS And ABILITIES

• An understanding of the following is required: Knowledge of the methodologies, applications and practices associated with land planning and the management of land, water, wildlife, renewable and non-renewable resources.
• Design and Management of geographic studies / analysis and the application of the related spatial, environmental, social, and economic results.
• Methods of gathering, compiling analyzing and presenting land use planning data and information
• Team building, consultation and interviewing processes.
• Standard computer software programs for office use, the Microsoft Suite of programs, spreadsheets, statistical analysis programs and understanding of Geographic Information Systems and Cartographic processes is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of the human, cultural, social, physical, biological, economic, and political environment of the Yellowknives Dene specifically and the Northwest Territories generally.
• Protecting and safeguarding legal documents, confidential and propriety information.
• Thorough knowledge of Dene Laws and the collection, storage, use and application of Dene Traditional Knowledge is necessary.
• Minimum of two (2) years experience working with a First Nation organization/community is required.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be reliable and able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Must be able to maintain tact and diplomacy and be able to always keep confidential, all information related to the position, during and after work hours.
• Must have good organizational and time management skills.
• Managerial and supervisory skills are a must.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with individuals at all organization levels, in a progressive in manner that would lead to the successful accomplishment of YKDFN goals and objectives.
• Certification in the use of Geographic Information Systems is an asset.

Typically, The Above Qualifications Would Be Attained By

• Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree in Land Use Planning, Geography, Environmental Studies, Land Management, Resource Management or a related field with four (4) years’ work experience; or
• Equivalent combination of education and/or related course work with six (6) years related work experience.

A detailed Job Description for this position is available upon request via email [e-mail].

The Yellowknives Dene First Nation offers a competitive wage/benefits, along with a fun work environment with exceptionally diverse cultural oriented people.