Job Description

The purpose of this position is to lead the coordination and tracking of Indigenous commitments related to ERM projects at the Chalk River site, including the Near Surface Disposal Facility Project (NSDF). The incumbent will participate in Indigenous engagement activities to be able to effectively track progress and activities. The position also involves interface with other CNL departments (e.g., Environmental Protection) to assist in coordination of activities related to Indigenous commitments others are leading. This position will also assist in the tracking of activities related to Memorandum's of Understanding, Contribution Agreements and Long-Term Relationship Agreements where related to ERM projects.

As part of the Project Communications department, the incumbent reports to the Manager, ERM Stakeholder Relations. This is a hybrid remote/in-office position, with time spent at or in the area of the CRL site and/or at other CNL sites as required to fulfill the responsibilities of the job. The incumbent is expected to work closely and collaboratively with other CNL personnel involved in Indigenous and public engagement to promote alignment of strategies and approaches across CNL and advance corporate efforts towards Reconciliation.

General Accountabilities:

• Track activities related to Indigenous commitments for ERM projects in community contribution agreements and relationship agreements (or memoranda of understanding), as well as community-specific engagement and communications strategies, with representatives of Indigenous communities.
• Assist with engagement with Indigenous Nations and communities with treaty rights on lands affected by the CRL and/or an interest in CNL's activities on those land, working closely and collaboratively with other CNL staff and consultants involved in Indigenous engagement to promote alignment of approaches across the company and to advance corporate efforts towards Reconciliation.
• Participate in dialogue with representatives of Indigenous communities at the staff, consultant and leadership levels through meetings, site visits and virtual appointments, communicating in culturally appropriate language all activities of interest in the CRL.
• Assist in the coordination of responses to representatives for inquiries by phone and email, and ensure timely response or escalation or concerns/issues as required. Also occasionally provide CNL representation at in-person events such as open houses, drop-ins and community presentations and information sessions.
• Lead and/or contribute to the development of Indigenous engagement sections of regulatory and other reports, such as the annual update of the EIS commitments report, and documentation; ensure all interactions with representatives of Indigenous Nations and communities and related pertinent information are documented and filed per CNL corporate record requirements and as required by project permitting and regulatory licencing.
• Advise CNL colleagues on the importance of incorporating sufficient time for progress on Indigenous related commitments and related considerations into broader planning, scope and schedule for project activities.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of technical and environmental project details, schedules and activities through interactions with ERM staff.
• Maintain effective, collaborative relationships with Corporate Affairs teams and individual staff to help ensure the setting and achievement of joint objectives, strategies and goals.
• Support the public, stakeholder and internal communications efforts of the Project Communications team at CRL.

Qualifications

Education:

Post-secondary degree in a relevant area of study (e.g. Indigenous studies and/or communications and/or environmental sciences or related field)

Experience:

Minimum two years of experience working in Indigenous relations, combined with experience in Indigenous knowledge systems and values.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to connect and promote collaborative engagement with a variety of Indigenous communities, organizations, and interests in a culturally appropriate way
• Understanding of traditional use studies and their meaningful integration and consideration in projects and operations.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation and presentation skills, including an ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when managing issue-related conflicts and negotiations
• Ability to communicate complex technical/scientific/environmental issues to lay audiences in clear, understandable, language
• Strong writing, presentation and oral communication skills. The ability to work under tight deadlines is essential.
• Knowledge of MS Office products such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel