Director - Lands and Natural Resources

**DIRECTOR OF LANDS AND INFRASTRUCTURE**

**ESQUIMALT NATION**

**OVERVIEW**

Our mission is to build a legacy for present and future generations of Esquimalt Nation members by ensuring our work is rooted in the teachings and natural laws that flow from the Sacred Trust. We will promote and advance holistic health, self-sufficiency, and safety of Esquimalt Nation members by offering meaningful programs and services and working with our partners for mutually beneficial goals.

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The Director of Lands & Natural Resources manages the day-to-day activities of infrastructure, public works, housing, and activities related to the development of land for individual, collective, and economic purposes for Esquimalt Nation. The Director of Lands & Natural Resources oversees various projects, initiatives, staff, and budgets and is a point-of-contact for external agencies who wish to engage Esquimalt Nation on various initiatives. The Director of Lands & Natural Resources will work to implement Esquimalt Nation’s Land Code, which will include planning, community consultation, recruitment, department development and more. This position also leads service agreements, water/wastewater operations, infrastructure projects and housing issues that fall outside of policy, as well as overseeing housing budgets and fulfilling reporting commitments to CMHC, BC Housing, and Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) NAHS program. In addition, the Director of Lands & Natural Resources oversees land use as a whole and develops policy for the Nation. This position shares the responsibility of Emergency Preparedness and Response with the Director of Operations and oversees the marine department, including various initiatives and projects. This position is a member of the management team.
- Operations & Maintenance:_
- Oversee day-to-day activities of the department. Supervises the Housing, Emergency, and Lands/Building Maintenance team members. Monitors performance of staff and ensures a healthy and safe work environment;
- Schedules and delegates day-to-day activities;
- Develops and maintains the tool/equipment inventory;
- Monitors the Esquimalt Nation asset management plan and updates the asset management database as required;
- Oversees the maintenance of common areas and grounds including roads, commercial and residential parcels, playgrounds, waterfront, and wharf.
- Infrastructure & Housing _
- Oversees sewage treatment plant including inspections, cleanup, and documentation;
- Oversee water testing program;
- Work with various contractors on an ongoing and project basis;
- Oversees the maintenance of fire hydrants, roads, and streetlights;
- Provides oversight and strategic direction to the Housing Manager & Housing Department.
- Lands:_
- Develops, negotiates, and processes land lease agreements (residential, commercial, retail industrial and occupation agreements), subleases, permits, licenses, allotments, transfers, mortgages, bylaws etc.
- Develops land policy and procedures;
- Operates and maintains the Band’s Land Registry;
- Communicates with lessees and members on lease related issues and with trustees, executors, solicitors, and provincial or federal agencies on land disposition;
- Assists and provides information to Chief and council on land and land use issues;
- Monitors and administers documents and issues with respect to Fee Simple Lands;
- Analyzes appraisal and market survey reports and provides recommendations in setting leasehold rates.
- Consults with land advisors and professionals (lawyers, land assessors).
- Coordinate the response to external land referrals and requests for archaeological support
- Natural Resources:_
- Develops, negotiates, and processes land lease agreements (residential, commercial, retail industrial and occupation agreements), subleases, permits, licenses, allotments, transfers, mortgages, bylaws etc.
- Develops land policy and procedures;
- Operates and maintains the Band’s Land Registry;
- Partnerships and Collaboration:_
- Proactively build and nurture collaborative and respectful working relationships with Indigenous Services Canada’s RLEMP team, Lands Advisory Board (LAB), potential business partners, and local government agencies: utilize these relationships as an avenue to assist their community in achieving its economic and housing goals and objectives;
- Respect cultural protocols and acknowledge and embrace the diversity of knowledge systems;
- Serve as a liaison, connector and convener between the community and its development partners;
- Oversees the implementation of the Municipal Trades Services Agreements (MTSA) relevant to lands and infrastructure.
- Communications:_
- Provide technical advice to Esquimalt Nation’s leadership and ED to improve land management processes and housing conditions;
- Collaborate and partner with Indigenous Services Canada, local contractors/trades people, and local municipal departments to build effective partnerships that will impro