PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) is a 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 reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, promotion of sustainability and the fostering of a sound 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 regulatory and compliance management activities. The EAO values teamwork and collaboration and works hard to support staff growth and development. JOB

OVERVIEW

The role of the Project Assessment Officer (PAO) is to support EA reviews of major projects in BC, including Industrial, Mine, Energy, Water Management, Waste Disposal, Transportation and Tourist Destination Resort projects. This includes, organizing and leading work with advisory committees with participants involved in EAs (e.g., Indigenous nations, local governments, government agencies, the public); supporting briefings for senior government officials; providing analysis, review and drafting of key EA documents (including technical materials). Working with the Project Assessment Director, the PAO plays an essential role coordinating and administering the EA process.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience:
• A University degree related to the Natural Resource and/or the Environmental Sector, in Public Administration, or Law plus 2 years’ related experience; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and related experience may be considered.

Related experience includes:
• Experience in the identification and evaluation of information required to support decision-making processes on major projects, programs, or other high-profile initiatives.
• Experience with presenting results of assessments, options and impact analysis to senior staff or executive and other parties (i.e., local, provincial or federal government, industry, proponents, and Indigenous nations).
• Experience in coordinating multiparty stakeholder engagement and managing disparate opinions.
• Experience managing multiple work priorities under pressure and within timeline constraints.
• Experience in planning and coordinating projects using project management principles and tools.
Preference may be given to applicants with the following:
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and/or organizations. This experience may have been gained in a professional, community or volunteer setting.
• Experience building partnerships and relationships with Indigenous nations.
• Experience working in natural resource management.
• Experience conducting or participating in environmental assessment processes.
• Applicants who self-identify as black or a person of colour (BIPOC), 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.).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Knowledge of Indigenous nations concerns, and interests related to Environmental Assessments, for example potential impacts to section 35 rights.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to research, analyze and summarize a variety of technical and conceptual information.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.

NOTE: Successful completion of security screening requirements of the BC Public Service, include a criminal record check is required.