Landscape Forestry Planner

**Leq’á:mel First Nation**

43101 Leq'amel Way. Tel: 604-826-7976
Deroche, BC V0M 1G0 Fax: 604-826-0362

**POSITION: Landscape Forestry Planner**

**REPORTS TO**: Director of Lands and Natural Resources
Governance or their designate

**POSITION TYPE**:Temporary Full-Time (position funded until March 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension)

ABOUT LEQ’Á:MEL FIRST NATION
Leq’a:mel First Nation (LFN) is a small, self-governing Indigenous community located in the Fraser Valley.
We assert our rights as Stó:lō and Coast Salish people over our reserve lands and our Territory. We have a small but dedicated team of professionals who assist our community and leadership in achieving their goals and objectives. We offer a safe and positive work environment. We expect that all employees respect, are familiar with, or are willing to learn about Stó:lō and Leq’a:mel culture, traditions, and language.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Leq’a:mel Forestry Landscape Planner is intended to support Leq’a:mel Watershed Recovery and
Resilience efforts by linking Forestry activities in the upper slopes of the Nicomen Island and Hatzic Lake watersheds with Valley floor watershed impacts. This position will promote and advance a holistic, integrated approach to watershed management inclusive of Forestry and other actors with major impacts in Leq’a:mel Watersheds. The successful applicant will bring their knowledge of forestry and watersheds to help LFN advance an Indigenous-led approach to Watershed Resilience. This position will build the LFN Lands and Natural Resources Department (LNRD) capacity to assert our governance authority over forests and watersheds, including assisting with referrals administration and response, making recommendations to improve and advance Leq’á:mel Forestry tenure management, revenue sharing and other strategic interests related to the forestry sector, support and represent Leq’á:mel in
Provincial consultations related to Forestry sector transformation (including the Old Growth Strategic
Review), and to prepare for, participate in and advance a Leq’á:mel-driven approach to Forestry
Landscape & Watershed planning and management.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides expert knowledge on Forestry and Forest industry impacts on watershed health.
- Provides leadership on a Leq’a:mel-led approach to forestry, that takes a climate and biodiversity-informed lens.
- Supports the LNRD in advancing strategic approaches in discussions and negotiations with

Provincial and Federal Crown agencies and Ministries on Forestry, Natural Resource, andWatershed related issues, including Old Growth Strategic Review, Timber Supply Reviews, etc.
- Provides technical advice and expertise on Forestry specific issues, including Forestry-related referrals under the Leq’á:mel-Matsqui Strategic Engagement Agreement (SEA), the Forest

Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreement (FCRSA), and the Water Sustainability Act (WSA).
- Provides advice on current and future Leq’á:mel Forestry tenure management options, and liaises with partners and proponents on understanding and mobilizing key forestry-related data, including market analysis, timber marketing, volume estimation, and developing and submitting forestry related management plans, harvesting plans, etc.
- Collects and analyzes forestry related data, including vegetation and stand inventory, wildlife and species at risk habitat mapping, water quality and soil stability, cultural areas.
- Works within the LNRD to advance strategic priorities of the Department, including the

Leq’á:mel Guardians, emergency management and other planning priorities.
- Supports community and stakeholder engagement related to all aspects of Leq’á:mel Forestry.

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND OTHER COMPETENCIES
- Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Management, or other training or certification that may be relevant for watershed governance as described above, or an acceptable combination of experience and training.
- The successful applicant must possess their Registered Professional Forester (RPF) or be eligible and willing to obtain and maintain their RPF designation.
- Knowledge of landscape or watershed level management.
- Knowledge and familiarity with watershed health and watershed impacts associated with the November 2021 Atmospheric River Event.
- Knowledge and familiarity with Indigenous consultation and Provincial Forestry approvals processes, impact assessments, and related regulatory requirements involving Forestry.
- Knowledge and familiarity with climate change and its increasing impact on watershed and forest health, wildfire mitigation plans, Climate vulnerability assessments,
- Extensive knowledge of forest, water, environmental legislation
- Strong Strategic perspective, with an ability to support strategic planning and decision-making as it relates to Forestry planning.
- Knowledge and familiarity with Indigenous rights, title, and jurisdiction.