Lax Kw'alaams the latest North Coast community to seek out a new Chief Administrative Officer

The Lax Kw'alaams Band Council has turned to a professional job search group to seek out applicants for the position of Chief Administrative Officer, with James R Craven and Associates performing the short listing for the Band Council to review prior to the hiring.

The Job Description for one of the top staffing positions with the Band Council serves as somewhat of a short history lesson for applicants.

Lax Kw’alaams, the “place of wild roses” is located just north of Prince Rupert BC and is the core of the substantial Tsimshian Nation. An important Aboriginal centre, predating Western contact by 10,000 years, this site has carried on active trading on the Pacific for millennia. Trade routes by sea in both directions coupled with interior trails made this a prime site for commercial and artistic activity. 

The Band is active in boat building, logging, and fishing including shellfish, as well as having a thriving Northwestern Pacific art presence including carving, weaving and painting. This fiercely independent nation has a membership of 4,000 people and plus an on-site presence of 750 residents

The remainder of the job posting makes for a Job Fact Sheet which highlights the areas where the Lax Kw'alaams Band will be directing their attention as they look over the recommended candidates.

The successful applicant will be expected to be a strong and effective professional, skilled in collaboration with Council, business, government, and members.

Challenges will include mentoring staff, providing practical options for Council’s consideration, negotiating with all levels of government on behalf of the community, and continuing to provide a strong economic base without sacrificing current lifestyles and traditional ways and customs. Candidates should have a strong interest and appreciation of First Nations culture. 

As well the job notes makes prominent how the successful applicant will assume responsibility for the Village operations, businesses, and growth.

Towards filling the job they are seeking those who will have had some former Public Administration experience, a strong record of practical innovation that works, plus good business acumen will be needed. Engineering and Planning skills would also be useful. 

Strong credentials in Government Finance and Administration, and Grant Writing are expected.

You can review the full background to the Help wanted notice here, the Deadline for the submission of applications is October 18th.

Once they settle on the successful candidate, he or she will be the newest of a new class of CAO's and other senior staffers on the North Coast.  With Prince Rupert, Port Edward and Regional District all having secured the services of new staff members within the last three months.

Towards the end of July, Prince Rupert Mayor Lee Brain welcomed Rosa Miller to the position of Corporate Administrator; she took on the position that was last held by Rory Mandryk who left the city's employ earlier this year.

Also in July, the District of Port Edward introduced Danielle Myles Wilson as their new CAO, hiring her away from the City of Terrace, where she served as that city's Economic development officer.

And as we noted in August, the Regional District made a few personnel announcements with Jessica Bagnell relocating to Prince Rupert from Houston, taking on the duties of Corporate Administrator, at the same time the Regional Government organization named Sharon Landrath as the District's Deputy Corporate Administrator.

To follow the outcome of the Lax Kw'alaams Band search, follow our archive page here, where we featured items of note from the community north of Prince Rupert.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.