Advisor, Inuit Indigenous Relations

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

The impacts of climate change in Northern Canada are significant and leading to rapid and sudden changes in the physical landscape and weather patterns across the region. These changes are resulting in the melting of permafrost, erosion of shorelines, and affecting hunting and fishing patterns relied upon by indigenous communities. Additionally, we are seeing weather events and warm temperatures beyond those reflected in historical and cultural experience.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is committed to improving weather service delivery and developing a mutually beneficial understanding of weather related impacts in the North on the land and on the lives of northern communities. We recognize that our current weather services may not meet the needs of remote indigenous communities or be culturally appropriate or accessible. We need your help.

If you are interested in weather, how ECCC can better serve northern communities, and seek new and interesting challenges, an exciting career as an Inuit Indigenous Relations Advisor awaits you! Working with Environment and Climate Change Canada staff and local community members, you can play a key role in ensuring the needs of our northern communities are met in a way that respects indigenous perspectives while benefiting from modern science and technology.

Duties

A key cultural gap in providing weather and climate information to the north will be addressed by working more closely with communities and all levels of government in Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon to help share that information with Inuit Nunangat. Successful collaborations require the trust and understanding of all parties. Building that trust in order to foster a collaborative environment is a key aspect to creating a better weather service for all Canadians.

Tasks of this position will include:

1. Establish collaborative relationships with indigenous communities interested in defining improved weather and environmental services to northern and remote areas.
2. Assist indigenous communities to identify requirements for weather services based on their unique sustenance-related activities.
3. Represent Inuit Nunangat on a working group tasked with developing a vision and action plan for a new weather service for the north.
4. Liaise with ECCC Warning Preparedness Meteorologists (WPMs) and Canadian Ice Service Representatives to build a communication bridge to facilitate the identification of weather-related services and their delivery to Inuit communities.
5. Identify suitable indigenous candidates to be hired as Weather Ambassadors.
6. Develop a detailed project plan to implement the Indigenous Weather Ambassadors program. Includes working with MSC and partners (e.g. SIKU, SmartICE, universities, etc.) to enable hiring and training the Weather Ambassadors. The ambassadors would travel to northern remote communities in order to engage in conversations to identify weather-related products and services that would benefit the indigenous communities’ way of life.
7. Together with ECCC and partners, develop a training plan to train the Indigenous Weather Ambassadors.
8. Act as team lead and supervisor for the Indigenous Weather Ambassadors.

On the job training can be provided. Development for this position will occur with a team of Client Services, Operational, and Ice Forecast Meteorologists in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. Broader collaboration will be available from the larger meteorological team within MSC in order to determine the best ways to serve the North.

Work environment

Conditions of employment include working in, attending, or participating in events held outdoors in adverse weather conditions, travelling to and working in remote areas, and remaining on travel status for extended periods of time. Much of the work of collaborating at the community level requires travel within the region of responsibility. Travel will be a requirement.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) full-time position in Nunavut.

However, we are also open to various employment tenures including part-time and flexible work arrangements.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
ED1: A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives
The employer-approved alternatives to a secondary school diploma are:
• A satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; or
• An acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
EX1 Experience with Northern Canada issues

EX2 Experience working or volunteering on a team

EX3 Experience coordinating and leading meetings that include many collaborators

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential
Each position will be required to speak a dialect of Inuktut. This is to ensure that outreach activities within each region can occur in the preferred language of the communities.

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
K1 Knowledge of Inuit culture, society, and economy
K2 Knowledge of Environmental Characteristics of the Nunavut Settlement Area

Abilities:
A1 Ability to communicate in Inuktut
A2 Ability to communicate effectively orally
A3 Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Competencies:
C1 Adaptability
C2 Thinking
C3 Working with others
C4 Client Focus

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Asset Qualifications:

AEX1 Experience working on the land and water

AEX2 Experience as a weather observer

AEX3 Experience building relationships with individuals and organizations

AEX4 Existing relationships with territorial and hamlet organizations in the North

AK1 Inuit traditional knowledge

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Willing and able to travel in the North.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

📢 Northern Allowances:
▻ Isolated Post Allowances (IPA): The total amount of these allowances will normally fall between $24,595 to $49,517 per year depending on the work location and the number of eligible dependents.
▻ Vacation Travel Assistance (VTA): The vacation travel assistance payment is provided twice per year to the employee and each eligible dependent. The VTA rates are updated every 6 months and rates vary for each work location

📢 We Also Offer:
▻ Housing: You may be eligible for subsidized government housing.
▻ Relocation Assistance: You may be eligible for relocation assistance.
▻ Training, Development & Education Opportunities: Opportunities for training and career development may include: multi-year-learning plans, education assistance, in-person and online training, and more!
▻ Pension & Benefits: Advantageous pension regime and benefits including health, dental and drug coverage.
▻ Flexible Work Arrangements: Depending on the position and operational requirements, you may be eligible to request flexible work hours, compressed work weeks, seasonal employment, etc to help you maintain a better work/life balance.
▻ Employee & Family Supports: Supports through the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and other services.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.