Director of Community Infrastructure

Job Responsibility:

Position Summary

The Director of Community Infrastructure provides strategic leadership and oversight for the planning, development and implementation of projects, new builds, maintenance and delivery of community infrastructure. We are seeking a Director of Community Infrastructure to ensure our community infrastructure meets the needs of present and future generations while upholding environmental stewardship and cultural integrity.

Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Community Infrastructure is responsible for budgeting, planning, resource allocation, land stewardship, and service delivery in alignment with community needs and organizational goals. This role involves overseeing capital and maintenance plans, directing teams and ensuring compliance with regulations and funding agreements. The Director fosters a positive work environment in an empathetic and compassionate manner and promotes a culture of continuous improvement to enhance service quality.

This is a one-year term contract with the possibility of extension.

What you'll do

Leadership and Vision:

• Lead with humility, respect, and cultural awareness, supporting the overall health of Sq'éwqel through strong fiscal and operational practices.
• Nurture a supportive, kind, and safe work culture that reflects the teachings of our Elders and the needs of the people we serve.
• Build relationships grounded in trust, shared purpose, and collective wellbeing.
• Participate actively and collaboratively in the Director's Team, ensuring that the Finance and Operations areas support and reflect Sq'éwqel's strategic and community goals.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in the stewardship of funds.

Strategic Leadership & Planning:

• Provide guidance and direction for the successful operations of the following areas: Capital Projects, Housing, Facilities, Public Works, Emergency Preparedness, Lands, Custodial and Venue Operations.
• Align departmental plans, services, and procedures with Sq'éwqel's cultural teachings, strategic direction, and the needs of community members.
• Lead in a way that is trauma-informed, culturally safe, and community-centered.
• Support and implement emergency and preparedness planning, ensuring safety and access to services during times of crisis.
• Develop and implement long-term community infrastructure plans that align with community priorities, sustainability goals, population growth, and community needs.
• Advocate for funding opportunities and manage budgets to support community infrastructure projects and services.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of community-centered strategic and operational plans.
• Ensure departmental practices are aligned with evolving laws, regulations, funding requirements, and community needs.
• Provide high-level forecasting, briefings, and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief and Council, and other stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building:

• Oversee full-scope personnel management for departmental staff, including but not limited to:
  • Directing a departmental onboarding strategy;
  • Overseeing performance management;
  • Addressing workplace concerns, ensuring a safe and supportive work environment for all staff;
  • Managing time-offs, absences, and overall staff well-being, promoting a balanced and respectful workplace culture;
  • Assessing gaps in departmental needs to develop new positions to meet the needs of services;
  • Support professional development opportunities for team members;
  • Lead and mentor a team of staff and contractors, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment;
  • Uphold workplace safety and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Ensuring employees receive thorough orientation, including department-specific training.

Housing & Facilities Management:

• Oversee the maintenance and development of community rental housing, ensuring safe and healthy living conditions for tenants.
• Support housing policies that prioritize equitable access to housing solutions.
• Manage public buildings and facilities, ensuring they are well-maintained and accessible for community use.
• Responsible for ensuring that operations and maintenance schedules are planned and adhered to, and that systems are in place for unforeseen events and issues.
• Preparing and overseeing the implementation of operations, maintenance manuals and schedules on existing infrastructure to ensure that all work performed by the department and building subcontractors meets or exceeds the safety standards specified in the BC Building Codes.

Essential Services & Environmental Stewardship:

• Ensure efficient and sustainable management of our lands, water, wastewater, and sanitation systems.
• Implement environmentally responsible infrastructure practices that respect the land and traditional teachings and in alignment with Land Code.
• Oversee emergency planning, emergency response, fire department, fire protection, road maintenance, snow removal, and other essential infrastructure services. Work with local police, fire, and emergency responders in a proactive and reactive manner for disaster prevention/relief.
• Monitor weather forecasts for inclement weather or emergencies that may affect the community.
• Oversee the Occupational Health and Safety Program, ensuring that Seabird Island's employees are trained, aware of their rights and understand safe work procedures, incident reporting, unsafe work, and injury reporting procedures.

Community Engagement and Representation:

• Build and maintain respectful, kind, and trusting relationships with community members, staff, leadership, funders, and partners.
• Represent Sq'éwqel with humility and professionalism at meetings, forums, and workshops.
• Ensure community voices and needs guide decision-making, particularly in matters related to finance, human resources, and operations.
• Engage with Chief & Council, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members to ensure infrastructure decisions reflect community needs.

Finance, Budgeting & Administration:

• Oversee full-scope financial planning and reporting to ensure compliance with funding agreements and regulatory requirements.
  • Develop and manage budgets for the department and projects, actively collaborating with Finance to ensure financial sustainability.
  • Analyze departmental operations, costs, and forecast data to determine progress toward ensuring deliverables and milestones are met.
  • Prepare, negotiate, and administer contracts for projects, in alignment with policies and procedures.
  • Identify and pursue opportunities for supporting new projects and improvements.
  • Monitor and audit the bid process, ensuring fairness, transparency, and alignment with community priorities and applicable policies.
  • Oversee the bid process.
  • Work with contractors, vendors, and external partners to secure cost-effective and high-quality services.
  • Overseeing preparation of periodic and special reports, procedures, policies, and other materials.
  • Preparing and delivering presentations to a variety of audiences.
  • Ensure timely and accessible reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief and Council, and the community.

Research and Policy

• Ensure changes to applicable laws, regulations, funding requirements, standards of practice and technology are overseen and evaluated to ensure that policy, procedure, or practices are updated and implemented.
• Develop, review, and implement policies and procedures to meet legislated requirements, community needs and the company's goals and objectives.
• Research service gaps to identify areas for development and negotiating with local, provincial, and federal partners to implement and evaluate new services designed to meet those gaps.
• Provide hands-on involvement at all levels of service delivery; deliberately connecting with clients served and staff to be aware of service barriers, challenges, and successes.

Governance, Reporting and Accountability:

• Ensure timely and accessible reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, Chief and Council, and the community.
• Provide leadership and advice to Committees as needed, including Emergency Preparedness, Housing, Public Works, Capital, and Community Infrastructure related committees.
• Act as a key contact for concerns or complaints from community members or employees related to Community Infrastructure, resolving issues collaboratively and in alignment with Sq'éwqel's laws and policies.
• Positions within the Director's Team are considered positions of trust and have a high level of ethical accountability and responsibility.
• Engage in interdepartmental collaboration and community relations, ensuring that services are delivered professionally, equitably, and in a culturally responsive manner.
• As a key member of the Directors Team, the Director will work closely with leadership to develop strategic initiatives, promote community engagement, and uphold Seabird Island's commitment to sustainable infrastructure development.
• This position may provide reports, agenda items, or be present as an expert in their field of work for related committees.
• This position may act as an advisor or member of the Seabird Island Emergency Operations Centre.
• This position collaborates with District of Kent for fire emergency services.

Other Duties

• Implement directives of the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Act as an advocate on behalf of Seabird Island, attending and participating in meetings, when directed.
• Additional responsibilities as needed to support the community and uphold our shared values.

What you'll bring

Qualifications :

• Master's degree in engineering, public administration, or a related field; or a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction, or related field.
• Certification in Project Management, with at least 5 years' experience in project management is required.
• Certification or experience in wastewater, SCADA, Blueprints, HVAC, and water management required.
• A leadership style rooted in respect, transparency, and community accountability.

Experience

• 10+ years' experience working with First Nations communities in an infrastructure or housing capacity with extensive experience in building practices, infrastructure management, construction, or civil engineering.
• 8+ years' experience with personnel management.
• 8+ years' experience overseeing full cycle financial management.
• Demonstrated experience writing proposals to secure as well as maintain funding for programs and services. Including understating of funding processes, grant applications, and regulatory compliance. Thorough knowledge of key federal, provincial, and other funding sources, including the programming and report requirements of the Indigenous Service Canada and other Government Agencies.
• Proven leadership experience in managing teams, budgets, and large-scale projects.
• Experience developing performance indicators, milestones, short- and long-term goals.

Preferred:

• Indigenous candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience as a member of a First Nations community.
• Knowledge and understanding of Seabird Island's culture, traditions, teachings, community dynamics.
• Commitment to upholding First Nations governance, traditions, and community priorities.
• Strong understanding of First Nations housing policies, land stewardship, and community planning.
• High professional and ethical standards, highly organized, able to manage multiple tasks, think innovatively and a demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities and accurately assess long-term issues and consequences.
• Ability to read blueprints, understand the BC Building Code, National Building Codes, and Land Code.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience engaging with First Nations leadership and community members.
• Dedication to sustainable, culturally grounded infrastructure development.
• Must have an exceptional understanding and adhere to General Accepted Accounting Practices and Funding Contribution Funding Agreements, Finance Policy and Finance Administration Law. Including ability to understand financial statements to develop and maintain budgets of several programs.
• Strategic and tactical planning skills, including strong leadership, supervisory, negotiation, people management, public relations, and organizational and time management skills.
• Committed to workplace safety and ensuring the safety of all staff and contractors within the Department.

Cultural Competency:

• Deep understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues.
• Experience working within Indigenous communities and applying culturally safe practices.
• Understanding of intergenerational trauma and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities.

Benefits and perks

Benefits vary by job type, apply after a successful probationary period and are confirmed in the interview and hiring process.

• Extended health and dental benefits,
• Accrued vacation and sick time,
• Pension plan with matching employer contributions,
• Access to internal training programs, professional development and skill enhancement,
Collaboration with an interdisciplinary team
• Casual dress code

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience, particularly in relation to leadership. Please include references that can speak to your experience and skills.

Have a question about this position before you apply? Email View email address on ca.edajobs.com.

Employment is conditional upon completing pre-employment screening to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which students, staff, members, families, community, as well as resources, and assets are protected. All background checks, reference checks and criminal record checks are performed in accordance with Seabird Island Human Resources Policy Manual, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered during the evaluation.

Pre-employment screening

Seabird Island is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that Indigenous people bring to our team. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous people. Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit heritage. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in Canada; however, we are not able to sponsor visas.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.