Vice President, First Nations / Northern Waterworks Inc.

Vice President, First Nations

THE POSITION

Northern Waterworks Incorporated (NWI), a utility company with a focus on safety, community, environmental responsibility, and customer satisfaction, requires a Vice President, First Nations.  The position is a critical leadership role in the company and reports directly to the NWI Senior Vice President.

BACKGROUND

Established in the Municipality of Red Lake in 1997, NWI operates, maintains and manages 50% of all municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities west of Thunder Bay to the Manitoba border, and employs over 40 professionals dedicated to setting new industry standards and best practices.

NWI has been providing water and wastewater operations, maintenance and management services to Municipal, First Nation and Industrial clients for over two decades and currently operates, maintains and manages 35 municipal water and wastewater subsystems. These systems include over 60 individual facilities that are distributed over a geographical area that is similar in size to that of France and Germany combined.

NWI is a wholly owned subsidiary of PUC Incorporated.   PUC Inc. is a wholly owned private company of the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie and operates multiple utilities within the City of Sault Ste. Marie and northern Ontario.

NWI Strategic Direction 

Mission: As stewards of the environment, Northern Waterworks will comply with stringent regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Northern Waterworks will earn the trust of the residents in their communities and their elected officials by providing uninterrupted water and wastewater treatment services at a fair and reasonable cost. Northern Waterworks will provide their employees with a safe working environment and the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Vision: Northern Waterworks will be an industry leader in the provision of water and wastewater treatment services. Northern Waterworks will grow by maintaining focus of client satisfaction and accountability, and by expanding capacity to provide a complete management solution.

Values: We will earn the trust of our clients, the residents we serve and our employees through RESPECT:

Responsibility – in protecting the residents of our communities and environment we live in.

Excellence – in the way we interact with clients, customers and represent our company.

Safety – on our strive toward zero accidents and lost time injuries.

Pride – in knowing that we are industry leaders and set lofty standards and goals.

Education – in achieving excellence by providing our employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to grow.

Compliance – in achieving and maintaining 100% compliance with environmental and safety legislation.

Transparency – that we remain accountable to the residents of the communities we serve and their elected officials.

DUTIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Leadership and Strategy Development:

• Develop and implement strategic plans that align the plant’s operations with First Nations priorities and regulations.
• Act as a bridge between strategic objectives and the practical delivery of projects.
• Lead and advocate for First Nations’ representation in all relevant plant operations and decisions.
• Ensure all water and wastewater projects respect and adhere to First Nations’ cultural, environmental, and governance values.

2. Community Engagement and Partnerships:

• Foster strong, ongoing relationships with First Nations leaders, councils, and communities to ensure mutual understanding and collaboration.
• Maintain oversight of Water/Wastewater Operators’ duties on behalf of First Nations as well as water and wastewater related capital and maintenance projects.
• Facilitate regular communication and community engagement activities, such as meetings, forums, and consultations.
• Ensure that First Nations communities are consulted on issues that may impact their lands, water resources, and overall environmental health.

3. Cultural Integration:

• Promote the integration of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into water management practices and plant operations.
• Ensure that the plant’s water and wastewater management plans reflect both modern engineering practices and traditional Indigenous knowledge.

4. Policy and Advocacy:

• Represent the plants in policy discussions related to First Nations water rights, environmental stewardship, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Stay informed on relevant laws, policies, and best practices in Indigenous rights, water management, and sustainability.

5. Team Management and Capacity Building:

• Lead a team that works directly with First Nations communities, ensuring alignment with plant objectives while respecting cultural differences.
• Provide training and development opportunities for both plant staff and First Nations representatives to build capacity and understanding.
• Manage the performance of operator that are assigned to First Nations projects
• Oversee project delivery, project pricing and the submission of selected RFPs.

6. Sustainability and Compliance:

• Oversee environmental sustainability efforts and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, and First Nations regulations regarding water and wastewater management.
• Promote the adoption of sustainable and equitable solutions in water treatment, resource management, and community impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience:  Proven experience in senior leadership roles, ideally with a focus on community engagement, environmental sustainability, or water management.
• Education:  Background in environmental science, engineering, or a related field is highly preferred.  A background in water and wastewater operations is preferred.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of First Nations’ cultures, governance structures, and legal frameworks related to land and water rights.
• Skills:  Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Other: Demonstrated ability to think strategically, manage projects, and work under pressure in a dynamic environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

The candidate possesses managerial courage, integrity, credibility, honesty, inspires and develops others while managing performance.

• Experience working directly with Indigenous communities and governments.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and sustainable practices related to water and wastewater systems.
• Fluency in an Indigenous language is an asset.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To explore this opportunity further, please email your resume (filename - “Last name, First name - CV”), with “NWI Vice President of First Nations” in the subject line, in confidence to Mark Fukuzawa at mark@sartorandassociates.com.

It is PUC Inc. policy to comply with all applicable laws and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, religion, creed, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or marital status or any other protected class.

We thank all those that apply for the position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding.