Workforce & Small Business Coordinator

Job Title: Workforce & Small Business Coordinator

Reports To: Director of Corporate Development

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Workforce & Small Business Coordinator supports Stellat’en First Nation members in accessing employment, training, career development, entrepreneurship, and small business opportunities.

This position serves as a key connection between Stellat’en membership, employers, training providers, businesses, community programs, and economic development opportunities. The coordinator will work with industry to identify opportunities, understand the skills and interests of members, support members in overcoming employment and business-development barriers, and help connect them with practical opportunities.

The position is focused on building community capacity and increasing participation by First Nation members in employment, training, procurement, entrepreneurship, and business opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Workforce Development & Employment

• Develop and maintain an up-to-date understanding of employment opportunities available to Nation members.
• Build relationships with local, regional, and industry employers to identify current and upcoming job opportunities.
• Match qualified members with employment opportunities based on their skills, interests, experience, and career goals.
• Promote employment opportunities through community communications, social media, newsletters, meetings, and other appropriate channels.
• Maintain a confidential database of members seeking employment, including skills, certifications, experience, training interests, and employment goals.
• Assist members with resumes, applications, interview preparation, and general job-search support.
• Identify employment barriers and connect members with appropriate community, government, or external support services.
• Track employment placements and follow up with members and employers to support successful employment retention.
• Encourage employers and contractors to consider qualified First Nation members for available positions.

2. Training & Skills Development

• Identify training needs and skills gaps among Nation members.
• Work with members to identify career goals and appropriate training pathways.
• Research and coordinate access to relevant training, certifications, apprenticeships, work experience, and professional development opportunities.
• Develop relationships with colleges, training institutions, employers, industry organizations, and government agencies.
• Coordinate community-based training opportunities where there is sufficient membership interest.
• Promote funding opportunities, scholarships, employment programs, apprenticeships, and other training supports.
• Maintain records of member participation in training and certifications.
• Follow up with participants to determine whether training has resulted in employment or further career opportunities.

3. Small Business & Entrepreneurship Support

• Promote entrepreneurship and small business development among Nation members.
• Identify members who are interested in starting, expanding, or formalizing a business.
• Conduct outreach to understand members' business ideas, goals, challenges, and support needs.
• Connect aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with business-development programs, advisors, financing, training, and mentorship.
• Assist members in identifying appropriate resources for business planning, registration, financing, accounting, marketing, procurement, and operations.
• Maintain a database of member-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Identify opportunities for member businesses to participate in procurement, contracting, joint ventures, and economic development activities.
• Promote business opportunities and upcoming contracts to eligible community businesses.
• Support networking opportunities between member businesses and external employers, contractors, and organizations.
• Track business-development outcomes and identify areas where additional community support may be beneficial.

4. Community Outreach & Member Engagement

• Establish positive and professional relationships with Stellat’en First Nation members of varying ages, backgrounds, skills, and employment experience.
• Conduct regular outreach to members who may benefit from employment, training, or business opportunities.
• Attend community events, meetings, career fairs, workshops, and other activities to promote available opportunities.
• Develop accessible information materials regarding employment, training, entrepreneurship, and business opportunities.
• Maintain regular communication with members regarding new opportunities and deadlines.
• Encourage youth and emerging workers to explore career pathways, trades, entrepreneurship, and post-secondary opportunities.

5. Employer & Industry Relations

• Develop and maintain a network of employers, contractors, businesses, training organizations, and industry contacts.
• Proactively identify upcoming projects and workforce requirements that may create opportunities for First Nation members.
• Communicate employer workforce needs to appropriate community members.
• Assist employers in understanding available First Nation workforce resources and community employment priorities.
• Support recruitment activities, job fairs, employer presentations, and community hiring initiatives.
• Monitor local and regional labour-market trends and communicate emerging opportunities to management.

6. Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate and confidential records related to members, employers, training programs, and business opportunities.
• Track key performance indicators, including:
• Members referred to employment opportunities
• Employment placements
• Training registrations and completions
• Certifications obtained
• Member-owned businesses supported
• Business opportunities and contracts identified
• Entrepreneurship referrals
• Employer and industry relationships developed
• Prepare regular reports for management and, where required, the Board of Directors or Chief and Council.
• Assist with funding applications, program reporting, budgets, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure all member information is handled professionally and confidentially.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Knowledge of Stellat’en First Nation culture, economic priorities, values and practices.
• Post-secondary education in business administration, economic development, human resources, employment services, community development, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in employment services, workforce development, economic development, business support, community programming, or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work respectfully and effectively with First Nation members, employers, businesses, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and database or information-management systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive member information appropriately.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to a team.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally and regionally as required.

Preferred

• Experience working experience with Indigenous communities.
• Knowledge of Indigenous economic development and employment programs.
• Knowledge of local and regional labour markets.
• Experience supporting entrepreneurs or small businesses and various supportive agencies and organizations.
• Experience developing relationships with employers, contractors, training institutions, or government agencies.
• Knowledge of available employment, training, entrepreneurship, and funding programs.
• Experience coordinating workshops, job fairs, training programs, or community events.
• Government agencies and funding organizations
• Industry and economic development organizations
• Community organizations and service providers

Cultural Expectations

· Demonstrated respect for Stellat’en First Nation culture, traditions, and governance.

· Willingness to learn and support Dakelh language and cultural initiatives.

· Commitment to working in a way that uplifts community voices, Elders, and Knowledge Holders.

· Understanding of the importance of culturally safe communication practices.

First Nation Employment Preference

Where permitted and consistent with applicable employment requirements and organizational policy, preference may be given to qualified Stellat’en First Nation members, followed by other Indigenous candidates, and then other qualified applicants. The successful candidate must meet the qualifications and competencies required for the position.

Working Conditions

• This position is primarily office and community based.
• Regular interaction with community members, employers, businesses, and external organizations is required.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for community events, workshops, job fairs, meetings, or other activities.
• Local and regional travel may be required.
• The position requires a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, initiative, and community engagement.

Salary: Up to $75,000 / year – dependent on skills and experience.

· Annual funding approval required.

· A competitive benefits package available.

TO APPLY

Please submit cover letter and resume to [email protected]

Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Deadline for Applications is November 25 @ 4:00 pm