Marine Policy Analyst

Employer: The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC)

Job Title: Marine Research and Policy Analyst

Direct Supervisor: Eryn Rogers, Special Projects Manager

Senior Manager: Joni Olsen, Policy and Negotiations Manager

Hours: 20-30 hours per week

Wage: $30 to $45/hour (commensurate with experience)

Work Location: Mixed, Part-time in office (Brentwood Bay) and part-time from home

Term: 3-month fixed-term employment, with possibility of extension

Applications Due: 4pm Friday, March 6, 2026

Position Overview

The WLC is seeking a Marine Research and Policy Analyst to ensure the interests of Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations are accurately reflected and advanced within the work of the Indigenous Management Board (IMB).

The IMB is an alliance of eleven First Nations, being: Quw’utsun Nation (Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Stz’uminus First Nation), Malahat Nation, Pauquachin First Nation, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Tsawout First Nation

and the WLC (representing Tsartlip First Nation and Tseycum First Nation). The IMB provides collective advice to the Chiefs and Councils of the eleven Nations on how their communities could take up and take back their roles, responsibilities, and authorities over the shared territories, with a specific focus on the Southern Gulf Islands and surrounding waters.

Currently, the IMB is working to assess the feasibility and desirability of establishing a National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, develop possible arrangements for the governance and management of the Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve, and pursue mandates and funding with all levels of the Crown to implement more holistic Nation-to-Nation level marine governance and management arrangements.

The Marine Policy Analyst will work as part of the IMB Technical Committee, providing input into marine research and planning, policy options analysis, technical expertise, and strategic recommendations that reflect Tsartlip and Tseycum priorities. The role also includes supporting Tsartlip and Tseycum Delegates on the IMB, briefing Chiefs and Councils, liaising with Tsartlip and Tseycum marine departments, engaging directly with communities, and ensuring that community perspectives and leadership direction inform all work.

The Analyst will receive direct support and oversight from within WLC’s Policy team, and Marine and Land Use Planning team, with the intention that they will move into a more independent role over time, including taking over Co-Chair responsibilities at the IMB Technical Committee.

Key Responsibilities

• Marine Research & Community Engagement:
  • Conduct independent research on marine issues and WSÁNEĆ interests in the marine environment.
  • Conduct desktop reviews, design, and implement small community research projects/engagement sessions and incorporate outcomes into advice.
  • Document, track and organize research sources and materials to ensure proper referencing and reporting, including knowledge shared by Elders and knowledge holders.
  • Gather and review existing marine and land use planning documents and contribute to the development of collective marine planning proposals.
  • Maintain awareness of broader legislative, jurisdictional, environmental and policy developments that impact work (i.e. UNDRIP , MMIWG, BC Treaty, Ocean Protection Plan, Marine Spatial Planning, etc).
• Support to Delegates & Technical Representation
  • Support Tsartlip and Tseycum IMB Delegates through meeting preparation, briefings, presentations, and follow-up work.
  • Represent Tsartlip and Tseycum Nations’ perspectives on the IMB Technical Committee and related working groups (including those with relevant senior government officials).
• Policy Analysis and Strategy
  • Provide and present research, analysis, policy recommendations and strategic advice on marine and territorial governance and management issues.
  • Incorporate traditional knowledge and community priorities into technical and policy advice.
  • Monitor and report on IMB’s work, ensuring alignment with Tsartlip and Tseycum priorities.
• Collaboration and facilitation
  • Work with other Nations’ technical staff and the IMB Secretariat to enable informed collective and consensus-based advice.
  • Share facilitation duties for multi-party technical meetings, as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Post-secondary degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. political science, public administration, marine biology, natural resource management, Indigenous governance, environmental studies, etc.).
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in Indigenous governance systems, marine planning, protected area management (or related field).
• Previous experience working in First Nations, or First Nations organizations.
• Experience, training or willingness to undertake training in trauma informed approaches to facilitation and engagement.
• Proficient in Microsoft software applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, others) and ability to learn other programs (GIS proficiency an asset).
• Possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable motor vehicle.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with policy analysis skills and ability to:
  • gather and analyze information,
  • review and evaluate options and implications, and
  • make recommendations.
• Excellent research skills including ability to organize complex, multi-disciplinary information and knowledge into clear and concise narratives.
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong facilitation skills to support consensus building.
• Knowledge of Indigenous law, governance, management and planning values, teachings, and practices.
• Knowledge of W̱SÁNEĆ culture and communities.
• Able to work independently, multitask, and plan activities.
• Able to act with tact and diplomacy, maintain effective working relationships, and contribute as a team member.
• GIS skills are considered a plus.

Other Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Ability to travel as required.

CONTRACT TERMS

This is a three-month fixed term contract starting in early April 2026, with remuneration based on 30 hours per week at a rate commensurate with experience. The ability to extend beyond this date is dependent on available funding.

The salary scale is negotiable with an expected hourly rate between $30 to $45/hour dependent on experience. Working arrangements are flexible, with a preference for splitting time between working from home and in the office, with occasional flexibility needed to attend in-person meetings in locations between W̱SÁNEĆ and Snuneymuxw territories. Employees should have stable access to an internet connection and be

prepared to provide their own at-home office equipment, i.e. desk, chair, screen.

• The WLC is committed to developing capacity within the IMB Nations Communities to do this work. We encourage all First Nations applicants to self-identify in our recruitment processes. Pursuant to Section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act, preference will be given to W̱SÁNEĆ and other First Nations candidates.

TO APPLY, We invite applications consisting of a one-page cover letter, responses to the questionnaire attached to the end of this posting, and a resume with names of references. Applications to be submitted to marla.sampson@wsanec.com, with the subject line: WLC Marine Policy Analyst no later than 4:00 pm PST Friday 6 March 2026.