Please consider me in your search for an Employment Support Coordinator.
I first joined Horizon North in the spring of 2022 serving as a Janitor working in Alberta firebase camps in High Level and Swan Hills, which included long stints.
It was in this position that I gained the first of many experiences I feel are relevant to this position and make me an ideal candidate. It has been some time now, so it’s difficult for me to recall the exact details but, at one point, I became the target of bullying by the Chef, so much so that I reported it to someone in HR. The HR person was very supportive and moved me away from that Chef on my next rotation. This gives me real life experience with these kinds of conflicts.
Later, after straining my arm while at Swan Hills, I was concerned and put in a WCB claim. The company was very positive in responding and after getting clearance from my doctor, I worked at light duties at Iosegun Lodge, before being finally approved to return to regular duties.
When the fire season ended, I was laid off, trained as an Industrial Janitor and then posted to the MEG Energy site near Conklin, AB. To fill the role of Industrial Janitor, I completed Energy Safety Canada courses in Common Safety Orientation and H2S Alive. As I was required to drive a vehicle on the MEG Energy Site, I completed an AMA course in defensive driving and drove to areas where a permit was required and we needed to bump test sour gas detectors.
After expressing an interest, I was trained as a Second Cook, completing courses in WHMIS, safety, food handling and workplace respect and harassment. I served as Second Cook at the MEG Energy site and the Cenovus site near Fort McMurray. Working as a breakfast cook put me on the night shift, so I know what that experience is like.
After a medical leave for illness, I unsuccessfully applied for a number of positions with Horizon North. I then accepted a position as a Facilities Maintenance Worker (primarily janitorial work) for the Mustard Seed’s downtown shelter in December, 2023. After a bout of bronchitis and, a few weeks later, pneumonia, I felt being in this environment was not healthy and resigned in March 2024. I then worked from mid-October to the end of December 2024 in the Best Buy warehouse/store packaging items for shipment, picking orders and stocking shelves.
In October 2025, I joined Kitikmeot Camp Solutions as an Industrial Janitor at the B2Gold site in Goose Lake working shifts of 28 days in (alternating 12-hour days and nights) and 14 days out. Duties included traveling to various mine site locations to collect garbage, service and replenish wash cars and tidy food stations. After three months, I left as I found the balance between time off and work time too difficult for me. I note that Kitikmeot has moved to a three and three rotation.
One thing I noticed while in this position, where I was warmly received by my co-workers and supervisors, was that many of my fellow shift workers were new immigrants and tended to speak to each other in their native language. While this wasn’t a particular problem for me, a newly-hired Inuit woman was in tears because she felt excluded from the group. I would not make it company policy to speak English, but rather encourage everyone to speak English by emphasizing the positive benefits of building team spirit and the opportunity it offers to improve English skills.
I believe this would contribute to the goal this position is focused on: employee support, engagement, successful onboarding and integration, retention, and creating a respectful and inclusive camp environment.
Let me offer a few more possibilities:
An extended and variable Safety Sunday
I’ve sat through numerous safety meetings where those responsible were obviously scrambling for material to present; the dangers of a heart attack while shoveling snow, being just one example of many. I’m not blaming these people; they probably have other responsibilities they need to take care of and are not necessarily experts on safety training or presentation.
My alternative would be to extend Safety Sunday (every meeting or every second week) where, in addition to emphasizing safety, live entertainment, music, dance, etc., might be offered. Working three weeks straight without a break with 12-hour shifts is demanding and, as the word recreation suggests, recharging the creative side of ourselves can make us more alert to life and our surroundings. In a nutshell, safer and happier. If live entertainment is too expensive, perhaps a movie could be presented. Meetings could also include employee presentations from various ethnic groups.
By investing in this position, you obviously realize that losing and replacing employees is expensive. Cutting back on employee turnover, while keeping your retained employees happier, has huge benefits in savings on these expenses and would, I believe, also improve productivity.
Visual Messaging
Every site I’ve worked at has had posters promoting, among other things, company policy, positive thinking, and visuals of local fauna, flora and Indigenous art. I’d like to expand this program to include art from all cultures represented in the Dexterra family which now spans the globe. Display cases could also feature items from different cultures. It’s my firm belief that a few moments appreciating something of beauty can make a world of difference.
Fully functioning recreation areas and gyms
Recreation areas can sometimes be neglected. In my last position, when there should have been two pool tables, (a very popular item), only one was functional.
Other relevant employment and life experience
Let me now offer some further insights into who I am and why I am an excellent candidate.
International Teaching Experience
From 2002 to 2012, I taught students from grade four to adult in Libya, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Norway, the UAE and Japan, often providing them with informal counseling on future education and life choices. In addition to teaching students, I experienced the cultures of each of these countries and others that I visited.
While completing my B.Ed. in Art Education, I studied Educational Psychology.
Time spent as a caregiver
During my time working with the physically and cognitively challenged in group homes for the Prince George Association for Community Living (AiMHi) and Thompson Community Services, I worked with adults with autism and other disorders who were, at times, depressed or even suicidal. My duties included meal preparation, informal counseling and delivery of medications.
My election campaign to become Edmonton O-day’min Ward City Councilor
As part of my platform, I presented a plan outlining a way to try and measure and improve the mood of Edmonton residents. I see the position of Employment Support Coordinator as an opportunity to take on the same task but on a smaller scale. One thing I’d propose is a survey of employees to see how they view camp work and what they’d like to see done to improve things.
My artistic practice
I’ve been active as an artist my entire life and find that expressing my creative side is something I enjoy. My website, set up in 2012, documents much of my art, photography, video, multi-media art, writing and music. My art is positive in its outlook and my Happy Face Series is a good example.
A commitment to my religious and spiritual practice
I regularly attend the Sanctuary of Peace Church Sunday services and weekly study on Thursdays, at Edmonton’s Bissell Centre. The Sanctuary of Peace features a monthly service led by an Indigenous teacher, Verna Fisher, and each service offers ceremonial smudging. I also created an art piece that is hung at the Sunday services. I also occasionally attend services at the Spirit of Hope Church on Whyte Ave.
My main spiritual guide, however, is “A Course in Miracles,” the Christian based teaching that was first published in 1975. In its preface, the Course states:
“Although Christian in statement, the Course deals with universal spiritual themes. It emphasizes that it is but one version of the universal curriculum. There are many others, this one differing from them only in form. They all lead to God in the end.” (ACIM, Preface.2:4-7)
As a member of Edmonton’s Interfaith Centre, I applied for the position of Lead Coordinator.
It’s obvious I believe in God but I also honor the right of others to believe otherwise.
To conclude, I see this as an exciting and challenging opportunity to use my people skills to improve the experience of camp life. I hope you agree, and would welcome a meeting to discuss the possibility of taking on the position of Employment Support Coordinator.
Sincerely,
James Miller