Manager, Lands

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government; Hitacu; On-site; CAD 82,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government seeks a Manager, Lands to lead planning, management and delivery of lands and land-based resources. You will report to the Director of Lands & Resources, manage budgets, mentor staff, and collaborate with the Stewardship and Community Planning teams on culturally grounded land management.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting and policy experience, plus knowledge of Indigenous land rights and treaty obligations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years’ experience in land/resource program management.
• Two+ years of supervisory experience.
• Experience managing budgets, funding agreements and reporting.
• Knowledge of Indigenous land rights, treaty interests and related laws.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Valid BC Class 5 driver's license and access to a vehicle.
• Satisfactory criminal record check.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership to Lands program team and set priorities.
• Supervise staff including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
• Develop and monitor program work plans and performance measures.
• Ensure compliance with laws, policies, Treaty obligations and regulations.
• Coordinate with Stewardship and Community Planning to align land stewardship.
• Oversee budgets, expenditures, and reporting to the Director.
• Represent Yuuuluʔiłʔat Government in external discussions and meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Staff supervision

Policy knowledge

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning

Equivalent combination of education and related experience

Tools

GIS

Job description

Classification: Band 7 — Manager

Reports To: Director of Lands & Resources

Location: hitac̓u, BC (on-site with fieldwork)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary Band: Band 7 ($81,731 – $122,596)

POSITION PURPOSE

The Manager, Lands provides operational leadership for the planning, management, and delivery of lands and land-based natural resource programs within the Department of nism̓aakukqinʔaała Lands and Resources (Always our land). Reporting to the Director of Lands & Resources, the Manager is accountable for program performance, budget stewardship, staff leadership and development, policy and procedure development, and the day-to-day management of Yuuuluʔiłʔatḥ Treaty Settlement Lands and land resource programs. Stewardship programs reside under a separate manager; the Manager, Lands works in close partnership with the Stewardship Program Manager and their team to deliver land stewardship on Treaty Settlement Lands, and with the Manager of Community Planning to ensure a cohesive, culturally grounded, and sustainable approach to the management of lands and wildlife. The Manager represents Yuuuluʔiłʔat happiness…

ACCOUNTABILITY

Leadership and Team Development

• Provides day-to-day leadership, direction, and guidance to the Lands program team, setting clear expectations and priorities.
• Supervises staff including recruitment participation, onboarding, work planning, performance management, coaching, and professional development, in partnership with Human Resources.
• Builds a collaborative, safety-focused, and culturally respectful team environment, and models Yuuuluʔiłʔat values in all interactions.
• Acts as a member of the departmental leadership team and provides delegated authority for the Director as assigned.
• Maintains strict confidentiality on all matters concerning Yuuuluʔiłʔat Government, employees, and the community.

Program Management and Service Delivery

• Oversees the day-to-day operations and delivery of lands and resource programs, ensuring services are timely, consistent, and culturally responsive.
• Establishes program work plans, service standards and performance measures, and monitors delivery against them.
• Ensures programs comply with Yuuuluʔiłʔat laws, policies, Treaty obligations, and applicable federal and provincial regulations.
• Identifies and resolves operational issues, escalating matters of significant risk or policy consequence to the Director.
• Works in partnership with the Stewardship Program Manager, whose team leads stewardship programs under a separate reporting line, to align land stewardship activities on Treaty Settlement Lands.
• Coordinates with the Community Planning function to align resource management strategies across the department.

Financial and Resource Stewardship

• Manages assigned program budgets, monitors expenditures, approves spending within delegated authority, and reports on variances.
• Prepares and administers funding proposals, contribution agreements, and reporting requirements for internal and external funders.
• Ensures programs are financially sustainable and that equipment, vehicles, facilities, and other resources are used effectively and maintained.
• Oversees contractor and consultant scopes of work, procurement processes, and contract performance within Government policy

Policy, Planning and Continuous Improvement

• Contributes to the strategic and annual planning processes for the Lands & Resources department.
• Develops, recommends, and implements policies, procedures, and operational standards that guide land, resource, and wildlife management.
• Develops long-term plans for sustainable land use and resource management that reflect Yuuuluʔiłʔat knowledge, values, and community priorities.
• Anticipates emerging challenges, risks, and opportunities and recommends practical solutions to the Director.

External Relationships and Representation

• Builds and maintains constructive working relationships with federal, provincial, and regional agencies, neighbouring Nations, industry, academic partners, and community organizations.
• Represents Yuuuluʔiłʔat Government at technical tables, working groups, and in land and resource related discussions, negotiations, and agreements as delegated.
• Prepares briefing materials, technical reports, and recommendations for the Director, Executive, and Legislature as required.
• Supports community engagement, information sessions, and cultural activities related to lands and resources.

Health, Safety and Cultural Responsibility

• Ensures safe work procedures, field safety protocols, and applicable WorkSafeBC requirements are understood and followed by staff and contractors.
• Ensures work on the land is carried out with respect for Yuuuluʔiłʔat protocols, cultural sites, and traditional practices.
• Promotes the integration of Yuuuluʔiłʔat language, teachings, and traditional knowledge into program design and delivery.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Land Use Planning, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience will be considered.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in land and resource program management, including at least two (2) years supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience managing program budgets, funding agreements and reporting requirements.
• Working knowledge of Indigenous land rights, title and treaty interests, and applicable land and resource legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a small-team environment.
• Current Class 5 BC Driver's Licence and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Satisfactory criminal record check.

Preferred:

• Experience working within a modern treaty Nation or self-governing indigenous government.
• Knowledge of Yuuuluʔiłʔat Government structures, laws, and the Maa-nulth Final Agreement.
• Experience with GIS, land referrals, or land registry and tenure administration.
• Formal training in leadership, supervision, or project management.
• Knowledge of the Nuu-chah-nulth language, culture, and protocols.