Forestry Manager

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 prosperity from economic opportunities for current and future generations of the Squamish Nation.

As one of Nch’ḵay̓’s Operating Businesses, Sqomish Forestry LP brings together extensive expertise in forestry and sustainable resource management, as well as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh cultural and historical knowledge of the lands of the Squamish Nation. The Sqomish Forestry team is dedicated to stewardship and sustainability, aligning all operations with the Nation’s values and land objectives, identified in the Nation’s Forestry Framework. Our forest management planning and practices are dedicated to ensuring the land is cared for, recognizing that land is sacred, and its health is deeply connected to the health and well-being of Squamish People.

Sqomish Forestry is the operator for the forest licences and lands of the Squamish Nation, including Tree Farm License (TFL) 38, the Cat Lake Woodlot, and the Squamish Community Forest. Our team also operates the Sqomish Log Sort located on Galbraith Avenue on the waterfront in Squamish, sorting logs from the Nation’s licenses and other operations in the Sea to Sky Corridor.

JOINING OUR TEAM

The Manager, Forestry is a Permanent Full-Time position based at Sqomish’s office in Squamish, BC on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Sḵw̱xwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and its people. You will be working towards generating wealth and prosperity for the people of the Squamish Nation. You will be working with a supportive team. You will have the opportunity for continuous learning, development, and growth within your job and career.

We offer our Team Members generous benefits to help them achieve their goals and support our company culture. We are looking for Team Members who align with our values, Squamish Nation values – Úxwumixw (Community), Sté lmexw (Collective), Nexwníw (Pride), Wená xws (Empowerment, Respecting Others), Siyám̓ in (Leadership, Everyone has a role to play), Snew̓ íyelh (Culture, Tradition, Resilience, Foundation, Teachings, Knowledge).

In return, we offer:

• Opportunities for career growth and development,
• Friendly and supportive work environment and an ambitious team,
• Flexible work schedule (hybrid),
• Extended dental and health care benefits,
• Employee and Family Assistance Program,
• Pension Plan and Supplementary Savings Plan,
• Life Insurance,
• Paid leave (i.e., sick leave, vacation, family days) and 14 statutory holidays including National Indigenous People’s Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Scope of the Position

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Forestry & Sustainability at Nch’ḵay and having the latitude and autonomy to make decisions, the Forestry Manager leads and collaborates with the Sqomish Forestry Team Members and stakeholders to identify, develop, and complete forestry projects. The Forestry Manager is accountable for ensuring that all legislated requirements and professional guidance have been considered and completed, and abide by Nch’kaý policy. They will also ensure that all projects reflect the highest corporate social responsibility standards and land stewardship aligned with Squamish Nation values.

These values include enforcing the Squamish Nation’s interest in land use and resource development decisions within its Traditional Territory, which aims to protect cultural values and traditional land uses while creating an environment of employment and training opportunities for Nation members.

Through a respectful, constructive, inclusive and energetic style, guided by corporate objectives, the Forestry Manager provides the vision, leadership, and management necessary to ensure that they foster, build, and maintain relationships with external partners and all stakeholders.

Team Leadership

• Leads the Sqomish Forestry team, working together to foster an inclusive and solutions-focused team culture.
• Provides leadership, supervision, and motivation to Team Members in achieving personal and organizational goals.
• Creates and influences culture across Nch’kaý and Sqomish Forestry through a hands-on approach to living our values.
• Ensures Team Members can pursue and receive appropriate professional development.
• Provide feedback to Team Members through ongoing coaching and annual performance reviews.
• Assesses and determines competencies and skill sets required for the team to achieve objectives.
• Adapts to changing priorities and is well-equipped to liaise with Government and Stakeholders with regard to stewardship and operational matters in the region.
• Under the guidance of the VP, partners with Human Resources in selecting, retaining, developing, and, when necessary, terminating Team Members.
• Collaborates with other departments to carry out strategic, tactical and operational tasks aimed to support Nch’kaý’s mandate, mission and organizational goals.

Duties, Responsibilities, Authority and Accountabilities

• Assume lead role in establishing and maintaining safety systems and culture in all operations.
• Lead management and operational teams in the day-to-day operations (employees and contractors).
• Administer and manage log brokerage contract obligations.
• Research, develop short and long plans, and administer programs related to the management of forest resources.
• Assist in the oversight of the Sqomish Accountant in all financial reporting/auditing processes.
• Support management and administration of all tenure administrative functions and tenure obligations relating to:
• Tree Farm License (117,500 m3/year),
• Replaceable Forest License (10,000 m3/year),
• Woodlot License (2,000 m3 year),
• and partnerships in two Community Forests (41,000 m3/year combined).
• Oversee log sort operations and other company-led operations as they arise.
• Liaise with Squamish Nation Rights and Title leadership team in the implementation of land use policy, policy development and meeting specific needs and values of the Nation within the Traditional Territory.
• Meet key business metrics pertaining to:
• safety statistics,
• economic parameters,
• margin,
• Standing Timber Inventory, and
• Developed Timber Inventory
• Support all high-level plans in relation to relevant tenures, including Forest Stewardship Plans and Management Plans.
• Assist in meeting the needs of individual Nation members with respect to traditional land and resource use.
• Support new and emerging non-forestry-related business opportunities having primary objectives of creating employment and training opportunities for Nation members and generating positive economic outcomes.
• Manage stakeholder involvement processes to identify best practices for forest land and use.

Other

• Perform other duties as required,
• Adheres to and promotes Nch’ḵaỷ’s six Guiding Principles (Leadership, Trust, Respect, Wisdom, Competence, and Passion).

Reporting Responsibilities and Authorities from Supervisor

• Reports to the Vice President, Forestry & Sustainability
• Lead and manage all forestry employees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or related field
• Registrant of the Forest Professionals of BC.
• Ten or more years of experience in BC forestry.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment with minimal supervision.
• Experience in team leadership and supervision, with the ability to foster inclusive, productive team cultures
• Highly self-motivated and self-directed.
• Strong communication and networking skills.
• Research, quantitative and analytical skills.
• Exceptional critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Strong multi-tasking and organization skills.
• Ability to set and manage priorities to meet deadlines.
• Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Strong computer skills and aptitude for forestry-based technologies.
• Knowledge of applicable BC legislation, policies and practices.
• Experience working with First Nations is an asset.

Special Requirements

• Willing to work additional hours as required.
• Position based in Squamish

Doing business the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh way, on unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory