Indigenous Engagement Advisor

Are you looking for a role that will challenge you? Can you see yourself leading Indigenous engagement efforts to support the successful execution of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) projects? Does the idea of building on existing relationships and developing new relationships with Indigenous communities/organizations interest you? Do you want to work in an environment where you can create meaningful opportunities for collaboration while contributing to CNL's environmental remediation initiatives?

If you answered yes, then this may be the job for you!

Our Port Hope location is looking for an Indigenous Engagement Advisor to join the team! Apply today!

What will you be doing!

• Developing and leading a comprehensive and strategic approach to Indigenous relations that facilitates the two-way sharing of information about CNL’s projects, plans and activities as well as priorities, interests and world view of Indigenous communities and organizations.
• Seeking input and feedback from Indigenous communities and organizations, through engagement with individual representatives/staff, community leadership, consultants and other organizations or companies with treaty rights and/or interests in lands affected by CNL activities.
• Presenting and facilitating interactive and meaningful opportunities for dialogue with Indigenous representatives through meetings, site visits and virtual appointments; communicating and explaining in plain language the details of day-to-day construction/remediation activities and longer-term project planning to representatives and other related stakeholders; providing regular updates on scheduled work and notification of changes.
• Helping to maintain alignment in the approach to Indigenous relations across CNL, advancing corporate efforts towards Truth and Reconciliation, and supporting Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) in fulfilling its Duty to Consult.
• Providing strategic Indigenous relations-related advice, guidance and mentorship to CNL leadership, staff and consultants involved in all aspects of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI), Northern Transportation Route environmental remediation project (NTR) and other CNL projects.
• Raising awareness of existing and potential Indigenous and stakeholder questions or concerns and ensure contractors are adhering to CNL's accepted communications plan.
• Playing a key role in mitigating and/or managing complaints by proactively identifying and resolving challenges, and working with Indigenous groups, stakeholders and contractors to either address complaints in the field or escalate as needed.
• Leading the negotiation of community-specific engagement and communications strategies, development of relationship agreements or memorandums of understanding, as well as community contribution / funding agreements.
• Coordinating opportunities for community capacity building and environmental remediation skills training through in-field workshops, demonstrations and, where possible, hands-on applied learning.
• Ensuring all Indigenous interactions and related pertinent information are documented and filed in accordance with CNL corporate record requirements and as required by project permitting and regulatory licensing.
• Acting as the first point-of-contact and being available to community members and for public inquiries by phone and email and ensure timely response or escalation or concerns/issues as required. Also occasionally providing CNL representation at in-person events such as open houses, drop-ins and community presentations and information sessions.
• Leading the translation and application of Traditional Knowledge considerations into project planning, monitoring and verification processes.
• Supporting the broader CNL corporate effort to educate and mentor CNL colleagues on matters related to Indigenous history and cultural awareness, and the importance of CNL’s Indigenous Relations program, including advocating for incorporating and allocating sufficient time for Indigenous engagement and related considerations into broader planning, scope and schedule for project activities.
• Responsible for any CNL-provided computer/home office equipment and software.
• Responsible for managing own time effectively and ensuring that consultation with other staff and CNL contractors is accomplished in an efficient timely manner that makes best use of these resources.
Other duties as assigned by your manager.

What we are looking for

• Education
  • Post-secondary degree in a relevant area of study (e.g. Indigenous studies and/or communications and/or environmental sciences or related field).
• Experience
  • Minimum five (5) years’ experience leading two-way engagement and information sharing with Indigenous nations, and organizations, including tracking and producing written reports on engagement activities and outcomes.
  • Demonstrated experience with traditional practices in Indigenous engagement and agreement implementation. Demonstrated experience as a relationship builder and trusted liaison, by demonstrating integrity and being authentic, collaborative, inclusive, and a creative problem solver.
  • Experience with Indigenous knowledge systems and values and the ability to provide guidance and support on cultural context, protocol and pathways to Reconciliation across CNL.
  • Experience interfacing and successfully navigating difficult conversations with project teams, construction contractors, and communicating one-on-one and in group forums with Indigenous communities at the member, staff and leadership level, with the general public.
  • Preference may be given to applicants who self-identify as having Indigenous heritage (First Nations, Metis or Inuit).
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Ability to connect and promote collaborative engagement with a variety of Indigenous communities and organizations in a culturally appropriate way, and to provide advice to other staff on how to do so.
  • Ability to develop focused and actionable engagement plans and to negotiate relationship agreements that support the planning, execution and delivery of CNL projects.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication (oral and written), negotiation and presentation skills, including an ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when managing issue-related conflicts and negotiations.
  • Powerful interpersonal skills; experience in a relationship-based position that requires engaging with many stakeholders and requires effective communication skills to influence outcomes.
  • Ability to comprehend technical documents that form the basis for community engagement and public communications and to communicate technical/scientific/environmental issues in clear, understandable language.
  • Highly organized with the ability to work under and meet tight deadlines. Knowledge of MS Office products such as Word and Excel.
  • Valid Ontario “G” driver’s license.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”

Working Conditions

• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty-seven and a half (37.5) hour work week.
• Works sitting/standing in front of a computer screen for most of the workday.
• Out-of-province travel to remote communities (including flights on small aircraft and travel by watercraft) Project and community site visits which includes walking the land and natural spaces with varying typography including rough terrain, hills during all seasons and weather.
• Includes occasion presence on site at CNL offices and/or in community for meetings, presentations and open houses.

• The role requires the safe and respectful operation of a CNL fleet vehicle, including ensuring the vehicle is secured and in good condition when not in use.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders— pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most .

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies , to developing targeted cancer treatments , to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation —we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team:

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
• A defined-benefit pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan , depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL.

Location: Hybrid

Our Port Hope site is situated along the scenic shores of Lake Ontario, just east of Toronto. The community offers a vibrant atmosphere with local shops, restaurants, and nearby parks.

Please note: This is a hybrid position , with time split between remote work and onsite presence at our Port Hope location , Ontario and occasional travel to the Northwest Territories.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion . We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. Click here to read all about it!

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values :

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity
• Excellence

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer . If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via View email address on ca.workus.org. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

The CNL Historic Waste Program Management Office and the Port Hope Area Initiative projects are situated on the traditional lands of the Williams Treaties First Nations, specifically the Gunshot Treaty negotiated between the Crown and Mississauga Nation during the 1780s and represented today by the Williams Treaties First Nations. The Mississauga Nations are also signatories to various 18th and 19th century treaties that covered lands in different parts of south-central Ontario. In 1923, the Mississauga First Nations and the Chippewa First Nations consisting of Rama, Beausoleil and Georgina Island signed the Williams Treaties and together, over 90 years later in June 2018, joined to ensure that their rights and the relationship with these lands are respected through a renewed agreement with Canada and the province of Ontario. The area in which we are situated is also home to Indigenous Peoples from across the region and Canada. CNL is grateful to have the opportunity to work on these traditionally and culturally significant lands and waterways.