Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Specialist

Okane is an integrated engineering and geoscience consulting company with a global team across Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand.

We help mining companies to return mine-affected land responsibly and safely at the end of a mine’s lifecycle. We believe in challenging the status quo and advocate for meaningful partnerships and positive outcomes for community stakeholders and Indigenous rightsholders.

Our solutions are led by a team of interdisciplinary experts spanning various engineering, science, and technology-based fields, including community and stakeholder engagement, mine planning, mine closure design, geotechnical and civil engineering, geology, geochemistry, hydrology and hydrogeology, soil sciences, rehabilitation, revegetation, and environmental monitoring.

Why Choose Us?

We champion diversity and inclusion. We believe in flexibility, work-life balance, and an open-door approach to communication. We provide employees with the tools to succeed and grow with the company and benefits that ensure our employees have the means to feel fulfilled.

Okane’s purpose is to ‘Help Create a Better Tomorrow’. Our workplace culture is defined by the everyday behaviors of our team and driven by our core values: Passionate, Thoughtful & Caring, Smart & Clever, Positive, and Humble.

Our employees enjoy:

• Competitive salary and performance incentive.
• Annual vacation time.
• Paid sick days.
• Health and dental coverage.
• Health spending account.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Growth and advancement opportunities along with an annual allowance for professional development.
• Flexible workplace policy, including maternity and parental leave top-ups and flexibility when returning to work.
• Being a part of an organization recognized as one of the Top Employers of Saskatchewan (2023) & one of Canada’s top Small & Medium Employers (2023).

Our Next Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Specialist (Reclamation & Closure Planning)

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Specialist to join our team. This role is critical in building lasting relationships with stakeholders, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting the development of effective reclamation and closure strategies. .

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, Indigenous groups, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Translate complex technical concepts into accessible language for non-technical audiences.
• Lead and facilitate stakeholder consultations, public meetings, and workshops.
• Develop creative communication materials, including fact sheets, presentations, and visual impact assessments, to support stakeholder understanding.

Regulatory Compliance & Advocacy

• Ensure all closure and reclamation projects comply with local, provincial, and federal environmental regulations.
• Engage with regulatory bodies to navigate permitting processes, amendments, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Keep updated on changes in environmental legislation and best practices (e.g., ICMM, BC, Alberta reclamation guidelines) and incorporate them into closure plans.

Reclamation & Closure Planning

• Collaborate with internal technical teams to develop and implement reclamation and closure strategies, including backfilling, cover systems, and water treatment approaches.
• Assess risks and manage potential impacts related to geotechnical stability, water quality, and potentially acid-generating (PAG) materials.
• Support the integration of Traditional Knowledge into closure planning and ensure the reclamation vision aligns with stakeholder values.

Project Management & Reporting

• Manage timelines and deliverables for stakeholder engagement and regulatory approval processes.
• Develop and contribute to detailed closure plans, including monitoring and adjusting plans based on evolving project needs.
• Provide input on reclamation liability estimates, environmental impact assessments, and closure bond requirements.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Environmental Science, Regulatory Affairs, Mining Engineering, Indigenous Relations or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, or reclamation and closure planning, preferably within the mining or natural resources sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of environmental regulations related to mine closure, including provincial and federal or state requirements in Canada or Oceania.
• Proven experience working with Indigenous communities, local stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. Experience in managing public consultations is a valued asset.
• Familiarity with mine closure best practices, geochemical processes (PAG/NAG management), and sustainability in ecosystem restoration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop effective, clear, and engaging communication tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously. Experience with closure liability estimation and reporting is a plus.
• Encompass Okane’s Core Vision (Help Create a Better Tomorrow) and Values (Passionate, Smart & Clever, Positive, Thoughtful & Caring, and Humble).

Personal Attributes

• Cultural Sensitivity & Respect: Deep respect for cultural differences, especially in engaging with Indigenous groups.
• Empathy & Listening: Ability to actively listen and integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives into planning.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Comfortable navigating dynamic projects and changing regulations.
• Passion for Sustainability: A strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in mine closure.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Okane is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and has a sense of belonging. A diverse workforce is critical to our success, and we believe in bringing your whole self to work. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply and hope you will choose Okane as your employer. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment/interview process, please let the HR Team know, and we will work with you to meet your needs. For more information about Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, please click here Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion • Okane Consultants.

Application Deadline

We welcome all qualified applicants to submit their Cover letter and CV before November 8th, 2024. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. However, those candidates who are selected will be contacted. We thank you for your interest in Okane.

To find out more about Okane, visit Home • Okane Consultants.