Nch’ḵaỷ Development Corporation (NDC) was established in 2018 as the economic development arm of the Squamish Nation – Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw. Nch’ḵaỷ’s mandate is to develop, manage and own the active businesses of the Nation and was created to allow for the separation of business and politics within the Squamish Nation. Our mission is to generate wealth and create prosperity from economic opportunities for current and future generations of the Squamish Nation.

This role is offered to members first and the broader community if an appropriate application is unavailable. This position will mainly work out of the Nch’ḵaỷ Head Office in West Vancouver, BC on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Sḵw̱xwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and its people.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic team player to join our team. This is a Permanent Full-Time position that requires flexibility in schedule.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM

We offer our team members many benefits to help them achieve their goals and support our company culture. We are looking for team members who align with our values and who are humble, ambitious, and intelligent. In return, we offer:

• Opportunities for career growth and development,
• Friendly and supportive work environment and an ambitious team,
• Extended health care benefits,
• Pension Plan and Supplementary Saving Plan,
• Flexible schedule,
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dental Care,
• Vision Care,
• Life Insurance,
• Paid time off.

Scope of the Position

The Vice President, Forestry (VPF) is passionate about modern forestry, forest stewardship, and its role in the social, environmental, and economic aspects of Nch’ḵaỷ and the Squamish Nation. The VPF has the ability to support the Squamish Nation’s Forestry Framework and Strategic Plan and engage with the Squamish Nation whilst directing Nch’ḵaỷ’s forestry operations. The VPF is a values-based leader who plays a critical role in all Nch’ḵaỷ’s – forestry’s environmental performance, sustainability, safety, reforestation, and forest-based conservation initiatives. 

This position is critical for providing leadership on large-scale forest management issues for Nch’ḵaỷ at both the Federal and Provincial government levels and the operational performance activities.

The Vice President, Forestry will collaborate with Nch’ḵaỷ’s Leadership Team, the Squamish Nation, and other stakeholders on pertinent issues relating to forest management, sustainability, stakeholder relations, and access to fiber. VPF informs and advises Nch’ḵaỷ’s leadership of the impacts and opportunities of government policies and political agendas relating to forest management and engages in strategic committees related to the implementation and development of existing and planned legislation. 

A. Duties, Responsibilities, Authority, and Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with Nch’ḵaỷ’s Senior Leadership Team and the Squamish Nation’s stakeholders to develop a Natural Resource/Forestry Strategic Plan and Operational Plan annually.

Operational Leadership

• Build a skilled and committed forestry team,
• Direct the forestry team to achieve its goals, efficiently, and effectively meeting the strategic objectives as economically as possible,

Team Leadership

• Facilitate frequent performance management with the Team Members,

• Manage, coach, and encourage the professional development of the Team Members to enhance their skill level and expertise,
• Provide expertise and guidance to the team to promote, implement, and enforce best practices within the department.
• Provide forest management and operational leadership on the TFL and licenses, by overseeing the quality and delivery of work on the forest management and timber development contracts by third parties.

Forestry Planning and Strategy 

• Support the development of multi-year forest management plans on the TFL and licenses by providing expertise on the development of wood supply model inputs, silvicultural ground rules, regeneration standards, and engagement with the Squamish Nation.
• Coordinate the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting for all activities, consistent with approved forest management plans, annual work schedules, annual reports, forest certification and environmental management requirements, policies, and legal obligations.
• Act as a primary liaison with the Squamish Nation regarding developing and implementing the forest management plans, understanding and living the Squamish Nation and Nch’ḵaỷ’s values, and collaborating on various initiatives with their Rights and Title Department.
• Act as the key Nch’ḵaỷ liaison with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), the Squamish Nation, the District of Squamish, and other key stakeholders in the development and implementation of forest management plans.
• Collaborate with the Squamish Nation’s Rights and Title to support the implementation of the Squamish Nation forestry policy and principles, forest management plans, and coordination between harvest and silviculture projects, ensuring Squamish values and community input is respected in all operations.
• Identify creative new opportunities within the Squamish Nation/ Nch’ḵaỷ forestry framework and strategic plan.

Financial 

• Prepare and manage annual budgets and forecasts for the forestry operations with the assistance of our Finance team.
• Abide by internally established control systems and authorities, lead by example, and encourage all forestry Team members to act in accordance with all applicable laws, Squamish Nation and Nch’ḵaỷ values, Nch’ḵaỷ group policies and standards, including environmental and, health and safety policies.
• Manage the Forest Renewal Trust Funds by negotiating annual renewal rates, maintaining/monitoring of monthly minimum balances, submitting monthly reimbursement claims, and providing quarterly updates to MNRF.
• Manage the provincial road funding program in collaboration with Squamish Nation.
• Act as the Company’s representative on the Squamish Community Forest and other boards for the cooperative Sustainable Forest License with the District of Squamish.

Compliance

• Assist in the development of provincial and regional forest management and silvicultural policies, guidelines, and initiatives as Nch’ḵaỷ Representative on various MNRF and forest sector committees.
• Provide leadership for regulatory, third-party forest sustainability, and certification audits.

B. Other

• Perform other duties as required.

C. Reporting Responsibilities and Authorities from Supervisor

• Executive Vice President, Operations and HR

D. Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Hold a University Degree in Forestry or a related degree.
• Have a minimum of 10 years experience in forest management planning and silviculture, including experience in supervising teams.
• Hold a BC Registered Professional Foresters designation or be eligible to apply for RPF status.
• Have solid functional skills with GIS.
• Experience working with or alongside First Nation Governments or organizations is desirable.
• Have a valid driver’s license and the availability to travel regularly, as needed.
• Demonstrate leadership and flexibility.
• Be self-directed and demonstrate organization and planning skills.
• Communicate effectively and have the interpersonal skills to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Act professionally, with integrity and discipline.

Salary: $130,000 – $150,000