PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) is dynamic workplace with a talented, team-oriented staff and a mandate that includes working on some of the largest resource development projects in Canada. The EAO is a stand-alone, neutrally administered regulator that undertakes rigorous, thorough reviews of major projects in British Columbia. These reviews require active engagement by EAO staff with Indigenous groups, government agencies and the public to administer environmental assessments (EA). The work of the EAO is central to Indigenous reconciliation, sustainability and the economy by ensuring environmental, economic, social, health, and cultural effects from proposed major projects are understood and managed in the regulatory process. The EAO maintains a comprehensive compliance and enforcement program and coordinates compliance management with other government agencies to ensure projects are built and operating as required. The EAO also has in-house policy and information technology professionals to support administration of the regulatory and compliance management activities. The EAO values teamwork and collaboration, and works hard to support staff growth and development.

JOB OVERVIEW

The BC Environmental Assessment Office is looking for a dynamic and flexible leader who wants to work on challenging precedent-setting problems that are complex and multi-faceted. The Project Assessment Director (PAD) is responsible for leading environmental assessments (EA) on projects that are often high profile and controversial. Acting with a high degree of authority and independence, and with a team of staff, the position is accountable for ensuring that the timeliness, neutrality and transparency of the EA process are maintained.

The position works within a dynamic environment where clarity, accuracy, and responsiveness to change are of critical importance. Matters of legislation, jurisdiction, government policy, the principles of reconciliation and other competing interests are at the heart of this work as it pertains to the effects of major project development proposals on the human and natural environment. The PAD has significant accountability to work collaboratively with Indigenous Groups, proponents, stakeholders and senior government officials to proactively lead projects and seek to understand and resolve issues in consultation with multiple interests.

The position is required to understand and communicate difficult and complex concepts, effectively lead EAs in a timely fashion, and manage assigned resources - internal (e.g. staff) and external (e.g. consultant). Technical experience, relationships, collaboration, problem-solving, and fortitude are attributes of the PAD. Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Groups on natural resource matters in a collaborative context will be highly valued. The position will work within a team-based organization, where the PAD will support other colleagues and teams to move the office’s work forward.

The position is expected to demonstrate significant initiative and creativity in developing innovative and collaborative ways of doing business and uses wide discretionary judgement in meeting the challenges of the role. The PAD makes significant contributions to policy and procedures development, to the implementation of government strategies and program policies, where relevant to EAO’s activities, and to advancing the provincial government’s relationship with Indigenous people.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead, organize, and manage EAs under the Environmental Assessment Act, that have potential economic, social and environmental impacts, ensuring that EAs are open, accountable, integrated, technically accurate, comprehensive, and conducted within legislated time limits.
• Organize and chair technical working groups comprised of staff from other provincial and federal agencies, Indigenous nations and local governments.
• Provide advice, guidance, and direction to senior industry officials on EAO legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures that relate to the EA process at both the pre-application and application review stages, in keeping with provincial EA goals and objectives.
• Participate in a lead or contributory capacity to the implementation and refinement of corporate initiatives such as the development of EAO policies, regulations and legislative amendments, and contribute to development of procedural guidelines within EAO and performance-based standards by other agencies.
• Provide sound advice, reasoned recommendations, and project updates to senior management and a range of public officials, including Ministers and Cabinet, on EA issues, and make decisions on the nature of EA recommendations to Ministers.
• Organize and draft project referral documents to Ministers which informatively evaluate project impacts, impact management challenges and risks.
• Facilitate arrangements with proponents and other government agencies for the implementation and monitoring of mitigation and compensation strategies and initiatives agreed through the EA process.
• Organize, facilitate (where necessary) and manage meaningful Indigenous nations and public consultation by proactively planning for, and leading and/or ensuring implementation of effective consultation programs.
• Provide sound financial and administrative management for project-related designated funds, activities and contracts, to ensure that all applicable government legislation and regulations are complied with.
• Provide relevant program guidance, including the provision of direction and supervision to staff assigned under the EA process.
• Act for an Executive Project Director as required including sector (e.g., LNG, mining, gas and oil, or power) responsibilities, corporate accountabilities and management of team resources
• Build and maintain key working relationships with colleagues, clients, outside agencies and interested parties.
• Knowledge of government administrative processes regarding development and approval of policies, regulations, legislation and standards including the roles of caucus, cabinet committees, legislative council and Treasury Board.

• Internal, external and inter-jurisdictional program linkages are extensive, and represent a critical contribution to the realization of EAO’s mandate. The PAD interacts with a wide variety of senior officials within various levels of government, and externally, including:
• Ministers of the Crown/Cabinet/MLAs – by providing authoritative advice and briefing information on EAs.
• The Associate Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister, senior members and other staff of the EAO – by providing advice, briefing information, direction, and assistance with respect to EAO plans, EAs and broader activities such as the development and implementation of EAO programs and policies.
• Senior Officers or officials of major companies – by providing advice, identifying issues, negotiating solutions to problems, and ensuring that requirements associated with various stages of the EA process are met by proponents.

•Senior government officials at the federal, provincial and state levels – by managing the complex task of integrating technical input and other jurisdictional (especially federal) statutory needs into the provincial EA process.
• Indigenous Chiefs, Councilors and officials - by ensuring and, where necessary, negotiating, involvement of potentially affected Indigenous nations in EAs, by providing notice and appropriate opportunities for input, and, in conjunction with the Ministry of Attorney General, by evaluating any potential for infringements of rights, and any need to consider accommodations.
• The general public, stakeholder representatives and groups - by giving notice of EAs, ensuring access to information on EAs, providing opportunities for participation, and explaining EAO decisions relating to the EA process.
• Media - by providing information and explanations of the status of EAs and the progress in dealing with identified concerns.

* There is onsite requirement for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements, including the opportunity to telework (with conditions) as set out in applicable employer policies.
* Close Date: 11/16/2022, 11pm (Pacific Standard Time)

JOB REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher related to the Natural Resource and/or the Environmental Sector, in Public/Business Administration, or in Law or Economics, plus 3 years’ *related management experience; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and management experience may be considered.

*Related Management Experience must include at least five (5) of the following:
• Experience in project management to manage teams while using leadership and consensus building skills.
• Experience in designing, developing, organizing, and facilitating multiparty stakeholder consultation processes.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations.
• Experience with environmental assessment principles including consultation, issue identification and resolution, management strategies and negotiation facilitation.
• Experience with providing advice and options to senior officials on complex, time sensitive matters.
• Experience leading, coaching and mentoring staff.
• Experience managing multiple work priorities under pressure and within critical timeline constraints.
• Experience managing complex, high profile and controversial projects with multiple stakeholders.

Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:
• Experience with discharging the Crown's duty to consult and appropriately accommodate Indigenous nations.
• Experience building agreements, partnerships and relationships with Indigenous nations.
• Experience in conflict resolution.
• Experience in participating in or leading significant permitting processes on major projects.
• Applicants who identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of colour (BIPOC), people who identify as LGBTQ2S+ and/or people with disabilities

Willingness Statements:
• Travel is required

• Must be willing to meet the transportation arrangements required by the ministry (i.e. travel in small aircraft, helicopter, driving on natural resource roads, etc.).