Referrals Officer

labrc; Area G (Deroche/Dewdney/Sumas Mountain); On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health benefits

Dental coverage

Life insurance

Pension matching

Paid vacation, sick leave, andpersonal

Paid statutory holidays

Paid Christmas break

Job summary

Leq’a:mel First Nation is seeking a Referrals Officer to coordinate development, land-use, forestry, and natural-resource referrals affecting LFN. The role involves reviewing forest licences, cutting permits, and acting to protect Leq’á:mel rights, lands, resources, and cultural interests.

You will work with the Natural Resources team, GIS Technician, and advisors, reporting to the Natural Resources Manager. Full-time, on-site in Deroche, with periodic travel.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• At least one year of relevant experience in referrals, consultation, forestry, natural resources, environmental management, regulatory authorizations, project coordination, records, or data tracking.
• Experience with Indigenous rights and title, consultation, development referrals, or natural-resource stewardship.
• Knowledge of First Nations forestry and stewardship, forest licences, cutting permits, GIS, mapping tools, databases, or online referral portals is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage referrals: Receive, assess, prioritize, assign SEA Engagement Levels where applicable, track, respond to, and follow up on referrals while maintaining records and deadlines.
• Coordinate consultation: Organize responses, correspondence, meetings, and site visits with governments, proponents, First Nations, community members, staff, contractors, and technical advisors.
• Review projects and authorizations: Manage matters involving BC Hydro, MOTI, the Water Sustainability Act, and forestry activities under the Forest and Range Practices Act, including forest licences and cutting permits.
• Assess impacts: Review and summarize referral materials, maps, legislation, policies, and technical information affecting Leq’á:mel rights, title, lands, resources, and cultural interests.
• Support stewardship: Assist with community engagement, Guardians Program and monitoring activities, negotiations, and referral policies, procedures, and records systems.
• Provide project support: Track data, budgets, grants, and expenses; coordinate contractors; and maintain referral and document-management systems.
• Prepare reports: Draft summaries, briefing materials, recommendations, correspondence, and follow-up reports for the Natural Resources Manager and LFN leadership. Participate in training and perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Organizational skills

Research skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

Post-secondary education in a related field

Equivalent education/training/experience

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Office

Online portals

Job description

The Referrals Officer coordinates development, land-use, forestry, and natural-resource referrals affecting Leq’á:mel First Nation (LFN), including matters under the Leq’á:mel–Matsqui Strategic Engagement Agreement (SEA). The role reviews forestry activities under the Forest and Range Practices Act, including forest licences and cutting permits, and supports First Nations forestry and natural-resource stewardship.

Reporting to the Natural Resources Manager, the Officer assesses, tracks, and coordinates responses from governments, Crown corporations, and project proponents. Working with the Natural Resources team, GIS Technician, Guardians Program Coordinator, and technical advisors, the Officer helps protect Leq’á:mel rights, title, lands, resources, and cultural interests.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage referrals: Receive, assess, prioritize, assign SEA Engagement Levels where applicable, track, respond to, and follow up on referrals while maintaining records and deadlines.
• Coordinate consultation: Organize responses, correspondence, meetings, and site visits with governments, proponents, First Nations, community members, staff, contractors, and technical advisors.
• Review projects and authorizations: Manage matters involving BC Hydro, MOTI, the Water Sustainability Act, and forestry activities under the Forest and Range Practices Act, including forest licences and cutting permits.
• Assess impacts: Review and summarize referral materials, maps, legislation, policies, and technical information affecting Leq’á:mel rights, title, lands, resources, and cultural interests.
• Support stewardship: Assist with community engagement, Guardians Program and monitoring activities, negotiations, and referral policies, procedures, and records systems.
• Provide project support: Track data, budgets, grants, and expenses; coordinate contractors; and maintain referral and document-management systems.
• Prepare reports: Draft summaries, briefing materials, recommendations, correspondence, and follow-up reports for the Natural Resources Manager and LFN leadership. Participate in training and perform related duties as assigned.

What We Are Looking For

Education, Training, and Experience

• Post-secondary education in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• At least one year of relevant experience in referrals, consultation, forestry, natural resources, environmental management, regulatory authorizations, project coordination, records, or data tracking.
• Experience with Indigenous rights and title, consultation, development referrals, or natural-resource stewardship.
• Knowledge of First Nations forestry and stewardship, forest licences, cutting permits, GIS, mapping tools, databases, or online referral portals is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Knowledge of Leq’á:mel culture, protocols, governance, traditional territory, and community values, or a willingness to learn.
• Understanding of the Duty to Consult, Strategic Engagement Agreements, Indigenous rights and title, UNDRIP, DRIPA, and relevant land, water, environmental, transportation, and forestry legislation and processes.
• Strong organizational, research, analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, databases, online portals, GIS and mapping tools, data tracking, document control, and timeline management.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, on-site work in Deroche, with periodic travel and occasional evening or weekend commitments.
• The role involves substantial computer work, records administration, and document review. Reliable transportation to the Deroche office is required.

Position Requirements

• Valid Class 5 driver’s licence and reliable transportation.
• Satisfactory criminal record check.

Benefits and Perks

Leq’á:mel First Nation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Extended health benefits.
• Dental coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Pension matching.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
• Paid statutory holidays.
• Paid Christmas break.

Based in scenic Deroche, this role offers the opportunity to help protect and steward Leq’á:mel lands, resources, and cultural interests.

In accordance with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry.