Department Summary

The Community Operations Department is comprised of five divisions: Field Repair (formerly known as Public Works), Building Services, Animal Control, Security and Renovations.

Mission Statement

To maintain all Squamish Nation buildings and provide a service to Membership regarding their home and property.

Purpose

To ensure the Community Operations Department treats all Members fairly and equally, while being financially responsible and making sure all Band-Owned Buildings are a safe place for the Nation’s Employees to work.

Field Repair

The Field Repair Division oversees all projects and services relating to the maintenance and repair of Squamish Nation-owned facilities and grounds on Squamish Valley and North Vancouver Reserves. This Division is comprised of staff with experience in: repairing plumbing; fixing appliances; minor electrical issues; infrastructure repair; painting; drywall repair; furnace repair; minor carpentry; and other minor problems in Nation Member homes. This Division is also responsible for maintaining the roads, which includes snow removal and de-icing during the winter months. The Field Repair division also maintains the Townhouse and 10-Plex Complexes, along with homes that are occupied by elders, Income Assistance clients, disabled members and single mothers. On an average day, the Field Repair staff complete seven to ten work orders. This year the Department has employed an additional two individuals on a temporary basis for such things as: cutting grass for elders and common areas within our reserves, removing blackberry bushes and hogweed, and picking up junk. (Insert Pics of Field Repair and Grass Cutter)

Security

The Security Division exists to ensure the ongoing security of the Mosquito Creek Marina, Administration Office, Capilano Complex and all yards buildings and docks. Security is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The typical duties of security staff are to ensure the staff and buildings are safe at all times. Security staff check fences and gates, and report any problems to the Team Leader of Security. At the Administration Office, security staff monitor six cameras that provide an extra level of security for the staff and building, along with monitoring four cameras at the Capilano Office site. When an incident does occur, security must provide written reports that could be used as evidence in cases that require prosecution by local police.

Animal Control

Animal Control is managed by the Community Operations Department. At this time the Nation does not have a service agreement with the SPCA, and is in the process of rewriting the Animal Control By-law.

The Renovations Program was moved under Community Operations in December 2006. Danielle Mellish is the current Renovations Coordinator and is responsible for taking requests from Band Members. Once the request is submitted, Danielle will determine if there are any Health and Safety concerns and arrange an inspection from Health Canada and/or a Home Inspector. Since October 1, 2011 the Renovations Program has replaced numerous roofs, decks, kitchens and bathrooms. Community Operations would like to thank the Squamish Nation Trust for contributing $140,000 towards the replacement of roofs, bathrooms, kitchens and decks. The Renovations Program will continue to apply for Trust money to complement our renovations budget.

Building Services

The Building Services Division is responsible for  safe, clean, well maintained buildings and associated grounds. This Division consists of Janitors and Building Maintenance Coordinators. The Janitors are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting where necessary, and the Building Maintenance Coordinators support the productivity of Squamish Nation employees by ensuring smooth and clean operation of buildings. Typical duties of Building Maintenance employees are opening the building, handling deliveries, moving furniture, making coffee, minor repairs, changing lights and other duties as requested by staff. The following buildings are cleaned by the Janitorial staff: Administration, Community Operations, Sosalatch, Marina, Housing, Elders Center, Totem Hall, Totem Preschool (Squamish), Tin Mun Mun Daycare (Squamish), Business and Revenue Services, Project Negotiations, Human Resources, Child and Family Services (Squamish), Ayas Lam Family Center (Squamish), Land Registry, Environmental Office (Squamish), Teen Center (Squamish),  and St. Paul’s Church. The Janitorial Staff follow a comprehensive checklist to assure quality of work.

The Community Operations Department has an ongoing working relationship with surrounding Municipalities for emergency preparedness, along with the First Nations Emergency Services Society. The goal of these discussions is to create an Emergency Preparedness Plan for the Nation so that in the case of a severe emergency, our Nation Members are taken care of, know who to contact, and what to expect from Nation employees. As of April 1, 2011, the Community Operations Department has been the proud owner of a mini-excavator that will enable us to provide a better service to the Community. (Insert pic of Excavator here)

Community Operations continues to work with other Departments as needed.

Community Operations receives the majority of its funding from Own Source Revenue with a very limited amount of funding coming from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.