Position Title:     Research Analyst

Team:                     Environmental Assessment (EA)

Reports to:           Research Director

Job Location:      Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto or Home-based remote working

Travel:                   Up to 10 days of travel per month required

Start Date:               March 3, 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

One of the largest Indigenous-owned research firms and values-based organizations, the Firelight Group has provided socially responsible, community-driven research services across Canada since 2010. Indigenous clients have trusted Firelight to provide high-quality research and technical services that decolonize research practices and center on Indigenous Knowledge and values to protect rights and advance self-determination. Firelight has an expanding, diverse team of over 100 talented professionals working on multi-disciplinary projects in eight business units: Indigenous Knowledge Research, Socio-Economic Research, Environmental Assessment, Indigenous Negotiations, Mapping & GIS, Planning & Implementation, Ecology, and Indigenous Health.

Firelight has offices in Xwmélch’tstn, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Territory, Lkwungen, Tkarón:to, and ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan). Firelight acknowledges that most of our work is with clients on territories where we are invited guests, and we are deeply grateful for this trust. We bring respect, humility, and a willingness to learn while recognizing that our work supports realizing our clients’ needs and objectives. Firelight proudly provides client-identified services that amplify and strengthen community voice and participation.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Firelight Group’s Environmental Assessment unit is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Analyst to join our Environmental Assessment (EA) team. In this role, you will contribute to meaningful, community-centered projects that support Indigenous Nations in navigating environmental assessment processes, evaluating project impacts, and advancing their rights and interests.

As a Research Analyst, you will play a key role in conducting research, analyzing data, evaluating EA materials, and supporting the development of high-quality reports and deliverables. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure technical excellence and cultural relevance, helping clients achieve their goals in regulatory and decision-making contexts.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including technical reviews, Indigenous-led assessments, cumulative effects research, and EA training and capacity development. You will engage directly with Indigenous communities to support research, gather insights, and ensure alignment with community priorities. If you are passionate about environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and contributing to positive, lasting impacts, this role is for you.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Indigenous-Led Assessment

• Support the design and implementation of Indigenous-led assessments, ensuring alignment with community priorities, values and knowledge systems.
• Assist in developing culturally appropriate and technically rigorous methodologies and tools, such as community-defined indicators, criteria and thresholds.
• Support the development and implementation of community-based research, such as interviews, focus groups, surveys and workshops.
• Coordinate in-community work, including scheduling, travel arrangements, logistics and expense tracking.
• Apply qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, such as coding, quote pulling, and descriptive statistics.
• Document and synthesize findings into reports and deliverables that reflect community perspectives and voices.

Critical Review and Evaluation

• Conduct research and analysis related to EAs, including literature reviews, archival searches, and reviewing project proposals, technical documents, and regulatory frameworks.
• Critically analyze proponent EA materials, focusing on impacts to Indigenous rights and interests.
• Draw on subject matter expertise, literature and EA experience to craft compelling arguments in support of client interests.
• Compile technical comments from subject matter experts into well-organized comment tables.
• Draft cover letters summarizing key themes and findings from technical review.
• Track issues and concerns across all stages of EAs, proponent commitments and contribute to issues resolution.
• Prepare summary information and speaking notes to support meetings with proponents, regulators, technical advisory committees and Indigenous leadership.
• Draft and finalize a variety of documents, including internal memos, information requests, comments on draft reports, motions to compel, final arguments, mitigation and monitoring tables, and project reports.

Community Engagement and Capacity Development

• Coordinate and attend community scoping and verification sessions, synthesizing outcomes to identify key issues and areas of focus.
• Prepare presentation materials such as slide decks, handouts and visual materials tailored to community audiences.
• Deliver presentations to diverse audiences, including communities, project proponents, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Deliver EA training and capacity development to Indigenous communities to enhance their knowledge of EA processes.
• Support the development of tools and resources, such as guides and templates, to assist communities in navigating EA processes.
• Ensure the application of culturally appropriate, respectful and trauma-informed community-engagement methods.

Project Management Support

• Assist project managers in developing scopes of work, budgets, timelines, and deliverables for EA projects.
• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of project activities, ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget.
• Monitor project progress by tracking milestones, deadlines, and deliverables, and communicate updates to project managers and team members.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, including developing agendas, note-taking, and circulating action items.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and subcontractors to ensure alignment with project goals and timelines.
• Manage project information, including proponent files, regulator correspondence, legal documents, field notes, audio and video files.
• Support administrative duties as needed.

Travel

• Commit to regular travel (up to 10 days per month, not necessarily consecutive) to remote communities for fieldwork and community engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS + EXPERIENCE

Required Skills and Experience

• 4-year degree in environmental assessment, environmental sciences, social sciences, archival studies, equivalent education, or commensurate environmental assessment experience.
• 5 years of experience in environmental assessment, Indigenous-led research, regulatory review, or related work.
• Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research, such as interviews, focus groups, coding, or statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Nations or supporting community-based projects. Candidates from Indigenous backgrounds will be preferred.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports, comment tables, and other deliverables.
• Knowledge of federal and/or provincial Environmental Assessment processes in Canada.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Subject matter expertise in socio-economics, community well-being, Indigenous Knowledge, culture and rights, physical and cultural heritage, Indigenous land use, cumulative effects, or other relevant subject matter.
• Experience delivering training or capacity-building programs.
• Project management experience.

Key Competencies

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams, Indigenous communities, and external stakeholders.
• Cultural Competence: Deep respect for and understanding of Indigenous rights, values, and worldviews, with the ability to work respectfully and collaboratively.
• Critical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to evaluate complex technical materials and identify key insights or gaps.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Attention to Detail: Commitment to producing high-quality, accurate work.
• Adaptability: Ability to navigate dynamic project environments and respond to evolving client needs.

Please respond to our online ad with the following: (1) resume, (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample. Please upload the (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample as ONE document. All files should be in PDF format named using your last name as the file name.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals will a full package (resume, cover letter, and writing sample) will be considered.

At Firelight, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive team and we welcome all cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of all peoples and actively promote development of inter-cultural competence within our team.

As an Indigenous-owned organization, we are particularly committed to supporting the employment of Indigenous individuals because we recognize the unique challenges and barriers faced by Indigenous people and because we feel it is necessary to reflect Indigenous perspectives and values in the work that we do. We encourage all Indigenous applicants to self-identify in their cover letter so that we consider their application accordingly, as Firelight may give preference to these applicants.

If any candidate requires an accommodation or support to participate in the application process, please contact our HR Department via email at hr@firelight.ca. 

Working at the Firelight Group means being passionate about what we do. Be part of our amazing team, with a very exciting future.