Professional Highlights
- Currently working as Contract Manager for Provincial Government.
- Over a decade of experience delivering provincially and federally funded programs throughout the West Kootenay region, including youth employment services, Wage Subsidy programs, Employment and Assistance Services, Economic Recovery Training Pilot Program, and the Employment Program of BC. Coordinated EPBC/WorkBC Skills Training services throughout the Central Kootenay and Kootenay Boundary region, approving applications, negotiating contracts and administering benefits.
- 6+ years of seasonal work in Silviculture/Forestry which supported completion of Post-Secondary Degree in Communications. Camp work. Piece work. Required strength, tenacity, and self-motivation.
- Strong communications background with previous experience developing communications materials for the City of Surrey's Economic Development office
- Experience developing internal and external communications strategies
- Participated on the Kootenay Regional Workforce Round Table
- Strong regional connections and negotiations skills
- Experience assisting hundreds of individuals to navigate through significant and profound change. I have been honoured to work with individuals to identify personal goals, strategize plans, and then work with them to achieve these goals
- Group facilitation experience
Local Government Experience
- Two terms Councillor, Village of Slocan. Two terms Mayor, Village of Slocan
- Municipal Director, Regional District Central Kootenay (2014 - present). Participant of Slocan Valley Economic Development Commission/Partnership, Joint Resource Recovery Committee, and Regional Parks.
- Director, West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District Board (2014 - present)
- Committee member, OCP Revision 2022. Chaired OCP Committee in 2011 which oversaw update of OCP, Age Friendly Visioning, and Sustainability Planning processes
- Owl Walk Committee Member - working with committee members and Village staff on planning and implementation of Owl Walk and Tourism Enhancement Job Creation Partnership. A successful funding application supported 5 individuals to earn income and learn skills while implementing this transformative project.
- Affordable Housing Commision Member
- Climate Action Commission Member
- Past Liaison to Slocan Valley Chamber of Commerce - participated in Slocan Valley and West Kootenay Tourism Alliance planning processes.
- Past Director for the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government executive
- Appointed to Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Local Government Treaty Advisory Committee
- Obtained Advanced Certificate in Local Government Leadership through LGLA (Local Government Leadership Academy)
- Currently working towards Certificate in Public Administration through University of Victoria - completed courses in Local Government Law and Financial Management
Community Appointments
- Past Chair of W.E. Graham Parent Advisory Council
- Past Director on the W.E.G Community Services Society Board
- Early involvement developing the Slocan Valley Early Childhood Advisory Council
- Fundraising experience/Volunteer grant writer
I understand the time, energy, and commitment that our local volunteers and non-profit organizations invest into our community. I recognize volunteers as our number one community resource/asset. I am committed to working WITH you to ensure that Village processes and communications leverage your efforts, time and commitment!
The longer version....
Jessica is a child of the Slocan Valley. She holds a strong connection to the beautiful environment in which we live and deep respect and camaraderie for each individual who lives in our rural community.
After attending Slocan Elementary School and graduating from Mt. Sentinel High School, Jessica spent nearly a decade balancing work, travel and post secondary education. Her early work in the forestry/silviculture industry took her into some of the most remote regions of British Columbia. A healthy curiosity of our larger world inspired her to travel to Europe, to much of South America and to Egypt, Jordan and Israel. In 2000, Jessica and her husband, Scott, chose to return to the Slocan Valley to start a family in one of the world’s most beautiful and unique locations. She is a proud mom of two incredible, inspiring young adults!
Jessica holds a BA in Communications and has had a number of experiences that will enhance her leadership of Village Council. She currently works as a Contract Manager for the Provincial Government, managing multi-million dollar service delivery contracts. Responsibilities include performance management, financial management, and issues resolution. Jessica has worked with the City of Surrey’s Economic Development Office, in international sales and marketing, in research and program development, in regional rural youth employment, with Kootenay Career Development Society as an Employment Counsellor, Coordinator of the Kootenay Wage Subsidy Program, and Skills Training Coordinator for Employment Program of BC and WorkBC Employment Services. She also worked as Contract Negotiator delivering the Economic Recovery Training Pilot Program in the East and West Kootenay Regions.
Jessica and her husband both work remotely from their home offices located in the Village of Slocan.
Jessica Brings:
After attending Slocan Elementary School and graduating from Mt. Sentinel High School, Jessica spent nearly a decade balancing work, travel and post secondary education. Her early work in the forestry/silviculture industry took her into some of the most remote regions of British Columbia. A healthy curiosity of our larger world inspired her to travel to Europe, to much of South America and to Egypt, Jordan and Israel. In 2000, Jessica and her husband, Scott, chose to return to the Slocan Valley to start a family in one of the world’s most beautiful and unique locations. She is a proud mom of two incredible, inspiring young adults!
Jessica holds a BA in Communications and has had a number of experiences that will enhance her leadership of Village Council. She currently works as a Contract Manager for the Provincial Government, managing multi-million dollar service delivery contracts. Responsibilities include performance management, financial management, and issues resolution. Jessica has worked with the City of Surrey’s Economic Development Office, in international sales and marketing, in research and program development, in regional rural youth employment, with Kootenay Career Development Society as an Employment Counsellor, Coordinator of the Kootenay Wage Subsidy Program, and Skills Training Coordinator for Employment Program of BC and WorkBC Employment Services. She also worked as Contract Negotiator delivering the Economic Recovery Training Pilot Program in the East and West Kootenay Regions.
Jessica and her husband both work remotely from their home offices located in the Village of Slocan.
Jessica Brings:
- Energy, commitment and a positive outlook!
- A genuine passion for personal and community development!
- A commitment to our community and a strong belief that Slocan can be a community of choice that models sustainable economic, social and healthy rural living.
- A cooperative spirit. I believe that we need to work together as individuals, council members, and as a community within the larger Slocan Valley region.
- A vision of a Slocan that provides a healthy and sustainable way of life for the people living here and a welcoming environment for the many people who visit Slocan.
