Director of Lands

• Be at the forefront of K'ómoks First Nation's transition to Treaty, building the systems and structures that will define its self-governance
• Join a supportive team in the beautiful Comox Valley, where your leadership will shape the Nation's future for generations to come
• Earn a competitive annual salary of $96,000 – $123,000, Relocation Assistance, plus a comprehensive cost-shared benefits plan

K’ómoks First Nation is a growing Indigenous government in the Comox Valley, guided by a strong connection to its lands, culture, community, and future generations. The Nation provides services and programs that support its members and community, while managing lands, natural resources, environmental matters, housing, education, health, and social development. K’ómoks is also in the early stages of implementing its Treaty, bringing new responsibilities, opportunities, and growth across the organization.

Its lands work plays an important part in balancing community priorities, environmental stewardship, development, and relationships with governments, contractors, developers, and neighbouring First Nations.

For people looking for work with a clear connection to place and community, K’ómoks offers the chance to contribute to meaningful decisions, work alongside people who care deeply about the Nation, and take part in shaping what comes next for K’ómoks and its members.

For more information, please visit the website:

K'ómoks First Nation is looking for a full-time Director of Lands based in Courtenay, BC.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, you will lead the Lands Department’s strategic and operational work, overseeing land governance, community planning, environmental management, land registry, and the transition from the K’ómoks Land Code system to a Treaty governance environment while guiding a team of five.

In this position, you will be primarily responsible for advancing K’ómoks’ lands priorities while working across internal departments and with governments, developers, contractors, legal and financial advisors, and other First Nations to support sound land management, development, environmental protection, and Treaty implementation.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading lands governance, community planning, policy development, and departmental priorities
• Overseeing land use, environmental protection, and culturally informed environmental management
• Guiding the transition of the land registry from the Land Code system to the Treaty governance environment
• Managing commercial leases and assessing real estate acquisition, divestiture, and development opportunities
• Negotiating development agreements, MOUs, leases, and related contracts alongside legal and financial advisors
• Coordinating with legal counsel, engineers, planners, funding agencies, governments, and external partners
• Preparing proposals for government and funding bodies supporting lands, housing, infrastructure, and economic initiatives
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a growing team while representing K’ómoks with external stakeholders

To qualify, you will need a bachelor’s degree in Land Use Planning, Environmental Science, Resource Management, or a related field
, along with ideally 5+ years of experience in lands, planning, or environmental roles, including 3 years in leadership
, and experience working within an Indigenous government or First Nations governance context
.

K'ómoks First Nation is open to candidates with less experience where they demonstrate exceptional capability and maturity.

The following are required:

• Availability for local travel as needed
  , up to roughly 30% of working time, depending on the season
• Valid driver's licence and access to a…