Impact Assessment Advisor

Position Title: Impact Assessment Advisor

Department: Lands and Resources

Reports To: Director, Lands and Resources

Location: Inuvik, NT

Employment Type: Full-time, 3-year term position with the possibility of renewal (Occasional travel is required for this role.)

PURPOSE

Reporting to the Director of Lands and Resources, the Impact Assessment Advisor provides technical, strategic, and coordination support to the Gwich’in Tribal Council on environmental and impact assessment processes. The role will seek to advance the protection of Gwich’in rights, lands, waters, wildlife, and communities. The Advisor will provide critical review and analysis of proposed development projects affecting the Gwich’in Settlement Region (GSR) or Gwich’in rights and interests. The Advisor will develop recommendations and strategies to reduce undesired effects while maximizing benefits for Gwich’in.

The role supports sustainable development in the GSR in line with Gwich’in interests. It is responsible for ensuring Gwich’in Traditional Knowledge, community perspectives, and environmental priorities are effectively integrated into decision-making by leadership and regulatory boards, while promoting responsible development and long-term stewardship of the human and natural environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with GTC’s EA technical lead consultant and support the provision of technical and strategic advice to GTC on major Environmental Assessment (EA) and Impact Assessment (IA) processes affecting the Gwich’in Settlement Region (GSR).

• Support the review and evaluation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), technical reports, baseline studies, public review comments, and supporting documents for major projects, including but not limited to the Mackenzie Valley Highway, Grays Bay Road and Port Project, and closure and reclamation projects.

• Assist GTC’s EA technical lead in assessing potential environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts of proposed developments on Gwich’in rights, traditional land use, wildlife, water resources, and community well-being.

• Coordinate GTC's participation in federal, territorial, and regional environmental assessment and regulatory review processes.

• Coordinate with other Gwich'in affiliates and partners on the identification of concerns and evidence to both support GTC's submissions and confirm they are current/representative of Gwich’in interests.

• Represent GTC at environmental assessment hearings, technical meetings, workshops, and consultation sessions with project proponents, regulators, government agencies, and other relevant participants to the process.

• Liaise with federal, territorial, and Indigenous governments, regulatory and Gwich’in co-management boards, project proponents, consultants, and Gwich’in communities to ensure Gwich’in perspectives are incorporated into decision-making.

• Support the integration of Gwich’in Traditional Knowledge and traditional land-use information into environmental assessment and project planning, while respecting community protocols and confidentiality.

• Review closure, reclamation, and environmental monitoring plans to ensure long-term environmental protection and alignment with Gwich’in priorities, rights and interests.

• Conduct research and stay current on environmental legislation, regulatory frameworks, and best practices relevant to environmental assessments in the Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory, Nunavut, and Canada.

• Prepare or assist in the development of technical reviews, briefing notes, recommendations, and submissions on behalf of GTC for senior leadership, councils, and regulatory boards.

• Develop reports, presentations, and communication materials to inform Gwich’in, GTC leadership, Gwich’in communities and Participants, the public, and decision-makers on environmental assessment issues.

• Support community engagement and consultation activities by facilitating meetings, documenting community concerns such that local knowledge informs project reviews and GTC submissions.

• Maintain effective relationships with comparable regulatory authorities, including organizations such as the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, the Environmental Impact Screening Committee, the Environmental Impact Review Board, and other territorial and regional review boards.

• Monitor compliance with environmental assessment commitments, permit conditions, impact benefit agreements, and mitigation measures throughout project implementation where required.

• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Indigenous Studies, Land Use Planning, Environmental Law, or Public Administration.

• A postgraduate diploma or master’s degree in any of the above areas would be considered an asset.

• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental assessment, impact assessment, natural resource management, environmental planning, or a related field.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA) and the governance structure of the Gwich’in Tribal Council is strongly preferred.

• Experience reviewing Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), technical reports, baseline studies, environmental monitoring reports, and other regulatory documents.

• Knowledge of Indigenous rights, consultation obligations, and the integration of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge into environmental assessment and decision-making processes.

• Understanding of environmental

issues related to northern ecosystems, including wildlife, fisheries, water resources, habitat protection, cumulative effects, and project closure and reclamation.

• Understanding of northern social, cultural, and economic issues, including Indigenous histories, impacts of residential school and other discriminatory events/policies, social determinants of health including Indigenous social determinants of health, awareness of community vulnerabilities and sources of resilience.

• Familiarity with territorial and federal legislation affecting land use, Indigenous rights, and environmental assessments (e.g., Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, Species at Risk Act, etc.).

• A valid Class 5 Driver's License (or equivalent) with the ability to travel throughout the Gwich'in Settlement Region and other locations as required.

• Ability to work flexible hours and travel for meetings, hearings, community engagement sessions, and field visits.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

• The incumbent will be required to work in remote locations and in extreme weather conditions. The incumbent must be physically able to meet the demands of traveling on the land in different seasons, including by snowmobile, boat, or small plane.

Environmental Conditions

• The incumbent may be working in extremely cold conditions.

In accordance with Section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act and our obligations under the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA), preference will be given to qualified GCLCA Participants and Indigenous applicants. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their application if they wish to be considered under this preference.