Parks Coordinator

**Priority given to Saugeen Ojibway Nation Members

The Parks Coordinator position will provide the SON Environment Office with a staff person focused on parks-related issues in SON territory. In preparation for the continued evolution of the relationship between Saugeen Ojibway Nation and parks in our Territory. The Parks Coordinator position is intended to assist SON in deciding on and implementing a new decision making structure for parks in SON territory.

Supervisor: Resource and Infrastructure Manager

Accountable to: Senior Manager / Joint Chiefs and Councils of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation

Term of Employment: Full-time - Permanent

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday | Some weekends and evenings may be required).

Responsibilities:

• Support to the Resources and Infrastructure Department assisting with the Parks file
• Support to Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s Parks Advisory Committee – coordination and service as primary contact point.
• Review existing frameworks for collaborative management with First Nations/Indigenous Nations including an analysis of optimal structure for the context of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s relationship with parks in SON Territory
• Lead coordination of negotiation process under Framework Agreements
• Schedule, organize and advertise SON community engagement sessions. 
• Research National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) to identify the policies used to manage NMCAs, existing management plans and any models that have been applied to collaborative management of NMCAs with First Nations (or similar arrangements in international jurisdictions).
• On-the-ground Operations – Coordinate engagement, review and input with regards to operations and on-the-ground park management/decision making, including environmental assessments. 
• Assist other SON Environment Office staff with EA review and policy development with regards to parks.
• Identify opportunities to secure additional program funding for programming initiatives involving SON.
• Identification and examination of circumstances where the exercise of Aboriginal and Treaty rights by SON community members has been impaired by the application of a park legislation and policies. 
• Identify possible legislative and policy changes.
• Species at Risk consultation – recovery strategies for Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Hill’s thistle, Dwarf Lake Iris, Lakeside Daisy.
• Assist with staff recruitment, training (cross cultural awareness, SON awareness etc.), and staff succession planning with the goal of increased SON representation in parks workforces (at all levels of Parks staff).
• Develop collaborative project ideas (i.e. beaver and brook trout restoration, student projects, restoration of disturbed areas, species at risk (SAR) working group).
   

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 1 year direct experience
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with or within a First Nations government or organization or related work
• Knowledge of SON rights, Territory, and culture
• Experience working with Municipal/Provincial/Federal governments considered an asset
• Knowledge of Provincial and Federal Park legislation and policies considered an asset
• Driver’s Licence and access to a reliable vehicle

Core Competencies

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Relationship building and maintenance skills
• Communication skills
• Conflict management skills
• Continuous Learning
• Innovative
• Initiative
• Planning and Organizing
• Problem Solving
• Professional (including respect for confidentiality)
• Stress Management