Location: Nak’azdli Whut’en Emergency Office, Fort St. James, BC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Wage: $58,000 - $62,000 Annually
About Us
Nak'azdli Whut'en is a proud Dakelh First Nation located near Fort St. James, British Columbia. Our community is deeply rooted in Dakelh culture, language, and values, emphasizing a connection to the land and a commitment to the well-being of our people. We are dedicated to creating inclusive and supportive services that reflect our culture and respect the unique perspectives and needs of our members. At Nak'azdli Whut'en, we strive to provide community-focused health and social services that uphold Indigenous values and address the distinct challenges facing our community.
Job Summary
Nak’azdli Whut’en offers the opportunity to lead with purpose and create meaningful change for our community. As Emergency Program Coordinator you will have the chance to shape the future, empower a talented team, and build a legacy that reflects our values and aspirations. If this aligns with your career goals, we encourage you to apply directly through our job posting.
Responsibilities and Duties
Emergency Program Development & Implementation:
- Assist in the development and regular maintenance of risk assessments and emergency management plans
- Ensure Indigenous knowledge and cultural safety are meaningfully integrated into all emergency management activities.
- Coordinate emergency operations during declared states of emergency, including Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activation.
- Plan and implement strategic emergency response activities to ensure the safety of the community.
- Lead the development of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, including Fire Smart education and fuel management strategies.
Collaboration & Relationship Building:
- Build and maintain partnerships with Chief and Council, local municipalities, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN), and other agencies.
- Liaise with Emergency Management BC (EMBC), RCMP, BC Wildfire Service, Search and Rescue, and other key stakeholders.
- Facilitate joint emergency planning initiatives and culturally safe engagement with community and partner agencies.
- Participate in regional emergency planning meetings and debriefs.
Training & Capacity Building:
- Recruit and train Emergency Support Services (ESS) volunteers in partnership with local ESS providers.
- Deliver regular emergency drills, table-top exercises, and community information sessions.
- Promote emergency management-related employment, training, and education opportunities for community members and staff.
- Enhance EOC readiness by supporting equipment procurement, resource coordination, and systems testing.
Administration & Funding Support:
- Write grant proposals and identify funding opportunities for emergency management priorities.
- Monitor and assess emergency response efforts and implement improvements.
- Maintain accurate records of training, emergency events, and program activities.
- Support proposal development for collaborative strategies across internal departments to enhance community preparedness.
Other Duties:
- Participate in community clean-up events, seasonal readiness planning, and other departmental initiatives.
- Respond to emerging community needs as assigned by the Community Safety Manager.
Qualifications and Skills
Required Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education or certification in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Indigenous Governance, or a related field.
- Minimum 2 years of professional experience in emergency management, public safety coordination, or community response programs.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience working in or with Indigenous communities, with a strong understanding of cultural safety and community protocols.
- Experience developing and implementing Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) protocols and emergency response plans.
- Familiarity with local, provincial, and federal emergency management systems, including EMBC and ESS programs.
- Background in proposal writing, grant applications, or fundraising for community initiatives.
Technical Skills:
- Knowledge of emergency management systems such as the Incident Command System (ICS) and Emergency Support Services (ESS).
- Ability to develop and interpret emergency response plans, hazard risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and basic data entry/reporting tools.
- Ability to coordinate logistics, maintain records, and manage resources during emergencies.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft professional documents.
- Friendly, respectful, and culturally sensitive when working with community members and external stakeholders.
- Ability to collaborate with multiple departments and maintain confidentiality.
Additional Requirements
- Clear Criminal Record Check.
- Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s License.
- Availability to respond to emergency situations outside of regular working hours, including evenings or weekends.
- Willingness to travel for training, meetings, or emergency coordination as required.
- Commitment to ongoing learning in emergency management best practices and Indigenous-led governance approaches.
Key Competencies
- Problem-solving.
- Adaptability.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Attention to detail.
Hours of Work
This is a salaried position based on a 40-hour workweek without any overtime eligibility. Although regular office hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, it is expected that you will work the hours needed to complete your work each day. You may also be required to carry out work on occasion outside of your normal hours of work.
Work Location
Your work location shall be based out of the Nak’azdli Whut’en Emergency Operation Office in Fort St. James, BC for 90% of your working time, however will be required to travel onsite to the Nak’azdli Whut’en Satellite Office in Prince George, BC, in all weather conditions throughout the year, as needed for approximately 10% of your working time, for continued delivery of duties and responsibilities, subject to change at the discretion of Nak’azdli.
Work Environment
- Drug and alcohol-free workplace.
- During emergency response situations, flexibility in work hours may be necessary, as events could demand extended working hours for consecutive weeks.
- Sufficient physical ability to work both in an office setting and operate office equipment.
- Standing, walking, or sitting for prolonged periods of time.
- To perform light to moderate lifting and carrying up to 50lbs.
- Prolonged periods of working on a computer can cause muscle and eye strain.
- Combination of office, onsite and outdoor field environment.
- Adverse weather conditions and events.
- Undesirable locations and the possibility of air quality issues.
- Quick thinking for frequent handling of difficult situations that some may find stressful and or upsetting.
- Accuracy of reports and meeting deadlines. The nature of the position will have moderate to high stress levels, as there may be situations involving conflict management, deadlines, and emergencies/disasters.
Indigenous Commitment
"Nak'azdli Whut'en is committed to fostering a culturally safe and inclusive work environment that reflects the values, traditions, and aspirations of Indigenous peoples. We actively encourage and prioritize applicants from First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities to apply. We recognize the importance of cultural knowledge and experience, and we honor and respect Indigenous ways of knowing and being."
Application Instructions
Nak’azdli Whut’en offers the opportunity to lead with purpose and create meaningful change for our community. As Emergency Program Coordinator you will have the chance to shape the future, empower a talented team, and build a legacy that reflects our values and aspirations. If this aligns with your career goals, click here to apply Current Openings | Recruitment. You can also send us an email with your resume, cover letter and three references at jobs@nakazdliwhuten.ca