Principal Indigenous Engagement Specialist
WSP View all jobs
- Calgary, AB
- $147,500-195,400 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers.
With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions.
We are pathfinders and impact makers.
We are Visioneers.We are WSPThe OpportunityYour Impact Starts Here - Join a team that is advancing meaningful, relationship-based engagement with Indigenous Nations and communities throughout Western Canada and the Prairies. In this role, you'll use your extensive expertise in Indigenous engagement to lead relationship building and engagement projects that contribute to environmental assessment, permitting, and Indigenous Knowledge studies that shape projects across Western Canada and the Prairies.As part of our Earth & Environment group, you will work with environmental scientists, social scientists, cultural heritage specialists and engagement professionals-people deeply committed to honouring Indigenous Knowledge, respecting community priorities, and helping clients develop better, more culturally grounded projects.We strongly encourage Indigenous candidates to apply and welcome lived experience, cultural knowledge, and perspectives you bring.Your Impact
- Lead engagement plans and processes that honour community protocols while supporting transparent, respectful, and culturally grounded dialogue throughout environmental assessment and permitting processes.
- Collaborate with Indigenous Nations to design and deliver Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Land Use studies rooted in Indigenous methodologies and community-defined approaches.
- Assess project impacts on Indigenous rights and interests, shaping mitigation, management, monitoring programs, and benefit plans that reflect community priorities.
- Integrate Indigenous perspectives and Knowledge across multidisciplinary teams, verifying they meaningfully inform technical studies, regulatory submissions, and project decision-making.
- Work directly in communities across Western Canada and the Prairies, including remote regions, supporting field programs, community workshops, knowledge-gathering sessions, and ceremony-aligned activities where appropriate.
- Advance best practices in Indigenous participation, staying aligned with evolving regulatory expectations, Indigenous governance structures, and international standards.
- Contribute to proposals, publications, and thought leadership, elevating the role of Indigenous-centred approaches in environmental practice.
- Support WSP's corporate Indigenous Relations commitments, strengthening relationships with Indigenous leadership, Nations, communities, groups, and businesses.
- Deep, grounded experience working with Indigenous leadership, lands departments, Rights Holders, and community members.
- An in-depth understanding of Indigenous history, governance, cultural practices, and laws.
- Expertise shaped by 15+ years in Indigenous engagement, consultation, community-based research, or policy role, within an Indigenous Nation or supporting Indigenous communities is highly valued.
- A collaborative mindset that prioritizes respect, relationship-building, and reciprocity.
- Strong writing and synthesis skills, including the ability to integrate Indigenous Knowledge and community priorities into technical and regulatory work.
- A valid driver's licence and comfort working in community, on the land, and in remote locations.
- Knowledge of an Indigenous language is an asset.
- A strong passion for Indigenous-driven, community-centred work-WSP welcomes candidates who may not meet every qualification but demonstrate commitment, promise, and lived experience.
- Proudly Canadian - we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
- A global community of brilliant minds - your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
- Limitless opportunities start here. Whether across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your career to your ambition-because your growth drives ours.
- Flexible work, real balance - we honour the importance of work-life balance and support you to prioritize wellbeing.
- Local and National grassroots Employee Resource Groups foster inclusion, belonging, and community through events that celebrate, educate, and engage employees around shared identities, interests, or experiences.
AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $147,500 - $195,400
MB & ON: $134,600 - $184,600
NB, NL, NS, PEI & QC: $133,200 - $176,900Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.Make Your Mark with WSPIf you're ready bring your expertise to a team that builds meaningful relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities, and shapes projects that matter, we'd be honoured to hear from you. Join us and grow your career with a team committed to reconciliation, collaboration, and real-world impact.About Us:WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms. Our purpose is to future proof our cities and environments.We have over 65,000 team members across the globe. In Canada, our 12,000+ people are involved in everything from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transportation networks, from finding new ways to extract essential resources to developing renewable power sources for the future.At WSP:
- We value our people and our reputation
- We are locally dedicated with international scale
- We are future focused and challenge the status quo
- We foster collaboration in everything we do
- We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable