Aboriginal/Indigenous Relations

NES Fircroft is a leading global technical recruitment company providing professional contract and permanent staff to a diverse worldwide client base within the oil & gas industry.
 
Job Title:  Aboriginal/Indigenous Relations
Location: Edson & Hinton, Alberta
Length: 9 Months
Rotation: 6 days, 12hr/day
 
Role Summary
The Indigenous Construction Participation Program (ICPP) Coordinator serves as the Company's designated representative responsible for delivering the Program's scope. This role involves supporting Indigenous participants through field-based learning opportunities by coordinating transportation, facilitating discussions surrounding construction activities, and ensuring participant engagement and safety throughout the program.
 
The successful candidate will possess strong communication, organizational, and technical skills, supported by experience in pipeline construction, environmental monitoring, Indigenous engagement, or a related field. Candidates who may not possess all technical qualifications but demonstrate a proactive attitude, strong problem-solving capabilities, and a willingness to learn will also be considered.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the planning, coordination, and implementation of project-specific ICPP activities.
• Support the recruitment and selection process for ICPP Participants.
• Oversee Participant activities while on-site, including:
  • Developing and managing daily itineraries.
  • Transporting Participants throughout active construction work sites.
  • Providing Participants with Project scope updates and explanations of construction activities.
  • Facilitating discussions regarding environmental mitigation measures and construction practices.
  • Ensuring Participants possess required safety training, PPE, and onboarding requirements prior to site access.
• Coordinate closely with Indigenous Programs, Construction, Environmental, and other project personnel.
• Ensure construction personnel are informed in advance of Participant site visits.
• Act as a liaison between Participants, Indigenous Programs, project teams, and Indigenous Communities.
• Support issue management processes by:
  • Tracking Participant concerns and questions.
  • Escalating issues to leadership where appropriate.
  • Demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity in all interactions.
• Notify Indigenous Programs of attendance, performance, or engagement concerns involving Participants.
• Support implementation of the Cultural Resource Discovery Contingency Plan during any cultural resource discoveries, including engagement with Indigenous Programs, Indigenous Relations personnel, and Communities.
• Support Participant development through mentoring, goal setting, and performance review discussions.
• Represent the ICPP Program at meetings and engagement sessions with Indigenous Communities when required.

 
Administrative Responsibilities

• Attend ICPP meetings with participating Indigenous Communities to provide updates and respond to questions.
• Prepare and deliver PowerPoint presentations independently or as part of a team.
• Track Participant daily activity, forecasting, and invoicing requirements.
• Maintain Participant schedules and fieldwork tracking.
• Capture and report positive Participant success stories for leadership, regulatory, and internal reporting purposes.
• Track and report risks, concerns, and issues while supporting resolution strategies.
• Collaborate with Indigenous Programs and Engagement personnel to discuss and resolve project-related matters.
• Contribute content to reports and other documentation related to ICPP activities.
• Update and maintain ICPP databases and tracking systems.
• Provide technical support for Participant equipment and assets, including tablets and mapping tools.
• Support completion, review, and filing of Participant daily and weekly reports.
• Attend regular Indigenous Programs and Indigenous Relations meetings to provide program updates.

 
Role Scope

• Serves as the primary field representative for the Indigenous Construction Participation Program.
• Supports meaningful Indigenous participation in project construction activities.
• Ensures Participant safety, engagement, and program effectiveness throughout the project lifecycle.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with Indigenous Communities and project stakeholders.
• Facilitates effective communication between Participants, Indigenous Programs, Environmental, and Construction teams.
• Supports project compliance, reporting requirements, and Indigenous engagement objectives.

 
Qualifications
Level 1

• Minimum two (2) years of combined relevant education and industry experience.
• Strong cultural awareness supported by training, lived experience, or direct engagement with Indigenous Communities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to meet project site access requirements, including:
  • Valid driver's license.
  • Clean driver's abstract.
  • Drug and alcohol clearance, including cannabis testing.
• Additional certifications may be required based on project-specific requirements.
• Natural Resource Sciences diploma or degree preferred.
• Environmental monitoring training (UNBC or equivalent) preferred.
• Previous pipeline construction and environmental inspection experience preferred.
• First Aid Level 1 certification considered an asset.
• WHMIS certification considered an asset.
• Willingness to work a 6-days-on, 1-day-off rotational schedule (10–12 hour days).
• Ability to perform effectively within a fast-paced, high-performance team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully within cross-functional and cross-cultural teams.

Level 2

• Minimum five (5) to ten (10) years of combined education, certification, and related industry experience.
• University degree in Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Indigenous Studies, Natural Resources, or a related discipline preferred.

 
Working Conditions

• Field-based position requiring travel and work at active construction sites.
• Successful candidate will be required to stay in hotel accommodations and rotate between Hinton and Edson, Alberta.
• Valid driver's license is required and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Driver's abstract must be provided for review.
• Extended workdays and outdoor work in varying environmental conditions should be expected.

 
Apply here or send your resume to dilly.ohuegbe@nesfircroft.com

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.