Indigenous Relations Specialist

Infrastructure Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health and dental benefits

Parental leave top-up

Healthcare Spending Account

Professional development opportunities

Transit access

Job summary

Infrastructure Ontario is seeking an Indigenous Relations Specialist to advance a Truth and Reconciliation–aligned program, focusing on Duty to Consult and Indigenous engagement across Ontario projects. You will build strategic partnerships with Indigenous communities, offices, and organizations, promoting understanding and respectful collaboration.

The role emphasizes Indigenous knowledge systems, policy development, and education initiatives to embed reconciliation throughout IO operations.

Qualifications

• Progressive work experience in culturally appropriate Indigenous relations and engagement.
• Knowledge of Crown-Indigenous relations history, treaties, and relevant case law.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Indigenous communities and partners.
• Knowledge of Indigenous languages is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Director and Manager to oversee Duty to Consult and Indigenous engagement on a portfolio of projects.
• Establish strategic relationships with consultation offices and Indigenous communities across Ontario.
• Serve as subject matter expert and liaison to ensure appropriate partnerships and track commitments.
• Develop relationships with other Indigenous leads within government and partner organizations.
• Execute Indigenous Action Plan and ensure timely, sustained execution across IO.
• Assist in developing equity and diversity education programs related to Indigenous affairs.

Skills

Indigenous relations

Stakeholder relations

Cultural awareness

Community engagement

Job description

Position Purpose:

The Indigenous Relations Specialist will support the execution of an overall strategic program, reflective of a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, focused on opportunities for IO to engage with the Indigenous communities of Ontario. You will play a specific rolein theoversight of the procedural aspects of Duty to Consult. In addition, you will support Indigenous literacy and education and implement processes to enable IO employees to understand the unique legal,historicaland cultural significance of Indigenous peoples, for the purpose of promoting appreciation, understanding and effective relationships.

What YouWill Do:

• Partner withtheDirector, IndigenousInitiativesandthe Manager, Indigenous Initiatives, to oversee Duty to Consult and Indigenous engagement on a portfolio of projects.
• Establish andmaintainstrategic relationships with consultation offices, and onoccasion,electedofficials, of the Indigenous communities across Ontario.
• Serve as subject matter expert and liaison to the business to ensureappropriate partnerships, communications, efforts and track the impact of our commitments as well as driving marketplace efforts within the Indigenous Communities within Ontario.
• Develop andmaintainstrategic relationships with other Indigenous Relations leads within government agencies, economic developmentorganizationsand businesses which IO partners with.
• Execute IO's Indigenous Action Plan based on the guiding commitments and targets under the pillars ofEducation, Employment, Inclusion and Economic Empowerment.Ensure timeappropriate execution, sustained actions and working with different areas within IO to ensure the plan’s initiatives are adopted.
• Assistin the development and delivery/procurement ofequity and diversityeducation programs and policiescontributing to the development of programs and initiatives focused on Indigenous affairs, embedding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in all processes for IO internally.

Who You Are:

Before reviewing the qualifications listed below, we want you to know that we understand you may not meet all the qualifications described, but still encourage you to apply, as you may have other relevant expertiseand experience that you can bring to the role.

• Candidates who self-identify as Indigenous with lived experience preferred and are encouraged to apply.
• A few years of progressive work experience, in culturallyappropriate Indigenousrelations and engagement, stakeholder relations, land or environment.
• In-depth knowledge of the history ofCrown-Indigenous relations,treatiesand relevant case law. Knowledge of the regulatory process as it pertains to Indigenous engagement would be an asset
• A keen understanding of Indigenous communities, relevant cultural and business awareness, with ability to collaborate effectively with community partners to build lasting relationships.
• Ability to intuitively understand/anticipatehow specific actions/messages willimpacton differentIndigenousrightsholders.
• Experience with Indigenous knowledge systems and values and the ability to provide guidance and support on cultural context and protocol across IO.
• Develops andmaintainsclose internal relationships with the Human Resources, Legal, Procurement and other interdisciplinary groups that can affect and influence Indigenous relations.
• Knowledge of an Indigenous language would be an asset.

What We Offer:

• Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging and represents and reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
• A defined contribution pension plan, where IO contributes the equivalent of 5% of a full-time employee’s annual salary, with an option for IO to match an additional 5% contribution made by the employee. IO also offers a Group Retirement Savings Plan and Group Tax Free Savings Account, designed to help IO colleagues plan and save for their future.
• A comprehensive package that covers health, dental, vision, out-of-country care, paramedical services, and more.
• A pregnancy and parental leave program that offers expecting, eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 31 weeks, and our parental leave program offers eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 15 weeks.
• Access to our $1000 Healthcare Spending Account to top up expenses not covered in the benefits program and a Lifestyle Account that expands the eligibility of health and wellness options and can include coverage for gym memberships and fitness equipment, nutrition counselling or financial planning.
• Support for professional development opportunities for all colleagues through a broad range of learning programs that include in-person and online training, leadership development, and support for colleagues’ well-being. IO will also cover the costs associated with up to two membership and license fees per year for eligible colleagues if directly related to the employee’s role.
• Access to a suite of virtual healthcare options to support non-urgent medical needs.
• A convenient, central location at 1 Dundas St West, easily accessible by public transit.

We offer a competitive salary range of $90,100 to $100,700 (P4level), pay will align with skills, knowledge and experience of the candidate.

This posting will close onFriday November 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Interviews will occur on a rolling basis until the role is filled.