Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations - BC South (Contract)

Trans Mountain Corporation operates Canada’s only pipeline system transporting oil products to the West Coast. We deliver approximately 890,000 barrels of petroleum products each day through a dual pipeline system of more than 1,150 kilometres of pipeline in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington state.

Trans Mountain also operates a state-of-the-art loading facility, Westridge Marine Terminal, with three berths providing tidewater access to global markets.  

As a federal Crown corporation, Trans Mountain continues to build on more than 70 years of experience delivering operational and safety excellence through our crude oil pipeline system. 

With our expanded pipeline system now in place, Trans Mountain provides enhanced direct access for Canadian crude oil to world markets. The expansion realizes a world-class system for oil transport, developed to Canada’s high standards within one of the most stringent regulatory regimes in the world, creating long-term economic benefits, enhanced marine protection, enhanced safety and emergency management capabilities, and enhanced skilled-worker capacity building in communities and Indigenous groups.

Our Core Values

Trans Mountain’s core values – Safety, Integrity, Respect and Excellence – guide our every step. Each obstacle we’ve overcome or success we’ve experienced has been the result of a shared commitment to living these values every day. Together, we’re focused on doing the right thing for each other and our communities.

As Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations with Trans Mountain, you will play a key role in supporting Indigenous consultation and engagement across southern British Columbia (Lower Mainland to Fraser Valley) where Trans Mountain operates or has expansion interests. Reporting to the Indigenous Relations (IR) leadership team, you will lead engagement activities, build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, and support regulatory consultation efforts.

The successful candidate will develop strategies and workplans for new initiatives, ensure meaningful, transparent, and respectful engagement is aligned with reconciliation goals and regulatory requirements, with the goal of minimizing non-technical risk and supporting project success through strong, trust-based relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinates with Regulatory, integrity management, Lands, Environment, Health and Safety, and Major Projects to determine approaches to Indigenous consultation that will meet project scope and comply with regulatory requirements and timelines.
• Assists in developing and presenting engagement/consultation related meetings/round tables etc.
• Where directed, engages directly with Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) or provincial permitting agencies to determine/clarify consultation requirements and responses to Indigenous comments and concerns.
• Provides regular updates at internal IR team meetings and identifies issues that may pose risks to project execution.
• With the oversight of IR management, provides ongoing advice and guidance to address Indigenous comments and concerns.
• Maintains consultation record for submission to CER or permit agencies; tracks all related external communications.
• Implements consultation with Indigenous communities acting as the primary point of contact responding to questions and coordinating meetings, as required.
• Prepares consultation material and correspondence and reviews with technical staff across project specific functions.
• Ensure records of contact/consultation are accurate and timely to meet permitting and regulatory timelines.

• Collaborates with Supply Chain Management to identify potential contract opportunities with potentially affected Indigenous groups.
• Motivated and willing to take ownership of IRT deliverables.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Completion of post-secondary education is preferred (certificate, diploma, degree) in Anthropology, Indigenous studies, Political Science or Business. A combination of education, skills and experience will be considered.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution mediation, negotiation, and facilitation courses would be an asset and/or post-secondary course work in project management.
• Experience in a Stakeholder Relations, Regulatory or Indigenous Relations function in the energy industry, transportation, or infrastructure sector.
• Relevant Indigenous or stakeholder relations experience, including Indigenous and community relations and advocacy with multi-stakeholder groups related to new projects and ongoing business operations.
• Proven track record of maintaining positive relationships with Indigenous groups, including existing relationships with Indigenous groups in British Columbia.
• Understanding of diverse Indigenous communities, cultures, governance structures, traditions, and protocols, in British Columbia from a historical and current perspective and opportunities and challenges at a local, regional, provincial and national levels.
• Demonstrated experience with large-scale project work and overseeing deliverables.
• Familiarity with applicable government and regulatory requirements related to stakeholder engagement activities.
• Staying updated on legislation with respect to the Duty to Consult.
• Knowledge of the fundamental framework of the Federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to deliver briefings on complex matters to senior executives.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with ability to produce accurate and quality work under tight deadlines and minimal supervision.
• Strong communication skills coupled with experienced conflict resolution skills.
• Resourceful and able to learn quickly and develop systems, procedures and processes resulting in exceptionally organized and executed tasks.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex and sensitive issues including associated risk management.
• Demonstrated commitment to coach and educate the leadership team on strategy development and program implementation issues.
• Track record of developing and sustaining positive relationships with internal teams and Indigenous groups through collaborative and consultative work processes.
• Ability to analyze and troubleshoot complex problems and make sound decisions.
• Ability to attend to detail and work in a time-conscious and time-effective manner.
• Ability to coordinate voluminous tasks.
• Ability to operate effectively in a politically sensitive environment, demonstrating sound judgement on sensitive issues.
• Energetic in pursuit of continuous improvement processes.

Other Requirements

• This is a remote position, however, due to the nature of community engagement, the ideal candidate will reside in Hope, the Fraser Valley, or the Lower Mainland.
• The role requires frequent travel, approximately 50% throughout southern British Columbia.

We Build Careers and Pipelines That Last

Our story is about determination, resourcefulness and resilience. It’s about charting our own course, finding innovative solutions to challenging problems and doing the right thing. It was true when Trans Mountain became a company in 1951 and it’s just as true today. We welcome new members to our team that embrace the qualities in our story, that thrive on the new path and directions we take.  Our culture is one of care and taking our responsibilities seriously. If you would like to contribute to our culture, then join our journey.

A Rewarding Opportunity

We offer:

• Valuable experience providing opportunity for professional development and career advancement;
• An opportunity to engage with and learn from some of the most talented and experienced people in the business;
• Competitive compensation;
• A place to share a sense of purpose and build relationships;
• Meaningful work that makes a difference;
• An opportunity within the Canadian energy industry.

We value:

• The health, safety and wellness of everyone working in our company;
• Meaningful participation from Indigenous and local communities;
• The commitment and resilience of our people;
• Collaboration and achieving success together. 

In keeping with Trans Mountain’s commitment to maximize benefits for communities, priority will be given to qualified candidates from Indigenous, local and regional communities along the Trans Mountain pipeline corridor.

In Alberta, the pipeline system spans the traditional territories of Treaty 6, 7 and 8, and the Métis Nation of Alberta (Zone 4).

In British Columbia, the system crosses the traditional territories of numerous First Nations that are affiliated with the Secwepemc, Dakelh (Carrier), Nlaka'pamux, Syilx/Okanagan, Interior and Coast Salish, Stó:lo, as well as the Métis.

Trans Mountain also operates through 15 First Nation Reserves located within the region spanning the BC interior through Fraser Valley.

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

Trans Mountain is committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.  The diverse viewpoints and cultural knowledge that our employees bring to work enrich our organization’s collective cultural understanding, which is reflected in the work we do every day.  We strive to create an environment that is free of barriers to promote full participation in the workplace. Trans Mountain welcomes new team members from traditionally underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.