Access to Justice (A2J) Program Coordinator Full Time

West Coast Environmental Law is seeking candidates for an Access to Justice Program Coordinator position based at our Vancouver office. This is a 14-week fixed term position starting in September 2026.

As a member of the Access to Justice (A2J) team and reporting to the A2J Program Manager, you bring commitment to working with communities that face barriers to justice, including Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities. Your work will contribute to the A2J Program’s support to individuals, community groups, NGOs, and First Nations across British Columbia who are disproportionately impacted by environmental harm and climate change to raise their voices and participate in decision-making processes about environmental justice issues that affect them.

West Coast Environmental Law provides a supportive culture that values healthy boundaries and balanced work.

West Coast Environmental Law aims to promote equity and challenge discrimination. We recognize that racial justice and anti-racism are crucial to environmental and climate protection. Funding for this position aims to reduce unique barriers faced by Indigenous, Black and racialized youth in developing experience and finding work in environmental fields. We strongly encourage applicants from equity-deserving groups to self-identify so that we can prioritize your application, specifically Indigenous, Black and racialized people, and including members of the LGBTQIA2S+, trans and gender-diverse communities, women, and people living with a disability, chronic illness and/or neurodiversity.

This position is made possible through funding from Nature Canada’s Work to Grow program.

QUALIFICATIONS
Being the right candidate for a position can look a variety of ways. If you are interested and see yourself in the role but might not meet all the requirements, we still encourage you to apply.

Required:
● An understanding of environmental justice with commitment to supporting communities that face barriers to justice to empower themselves and access environmental justice;
● Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse staff, external organizations, and service users;
● Demonstrated experience in communications, public relations and/or community engagement;
● Integrity and discretion when dealing with confidential information;
● Well-developed verbal, written and organizational skills;
● Strong time management and organization skills;
● Ability to independently prioritize and handle a diversity of tasks and meet deadlines;
● Ability to work independently while thriving in a team environment;
● Creativity, imagination and ability to take initiative; and
● Strong computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office, SharePoint and Slack, and comfort with learning new tools and platforms.
Beneficial experience/skills:
● Experience working with communities that face barriers to justice, including Black, Indigenous, and racialized, and other equity-deserving communities;
● Understanding of and experience applying trauma-informed practices;
● An understanding and demonstrated application of equity and justice principles with commitment to contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment;
● Demonstrated commitment to the environment and understanding of the mission and values of West Coast;
● Experience with digital media tools including Zoom, Google Docs/Forms, Canva an asset;
● At least one year of post-secondary education an asset; and
● A background in social and/or environmental justice is an asset.

To be eligible, applicants must:
• be between the ages of fifteen (15) and thirty (30) (inclusive);
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
• be legally entitled to work in Canada;
• be legally entitled to work according to the applicable provincial legislation and regulations

RESPONSIBILITIES
•Outreach to external organizations to build a list of complementary services and support available for members of communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms, including social and mental health services, other legal aid organizations, etc.
•Contribute communications expertise to the development of summary legal information resources for common environmental legal issues experienced by clients. This involves identifying and applying Public Legal Information best practices and translating legal ideas and processes into language that is accessible to diverse clients.
•In collaboration with the A2J team, develop and present public webinars for members of the public interested in seeking support or information about their rights regarding environmental harms they are experiencing in their communities, and organizations that serve people who may benefit from our services.
•Collaborate on a report on best practices in access to justice to support the A2J program in updating its practices to best serve communities that face the highest barriers to justice.
•Outreach to communities who are disproportionately impacted by environmental harms, through attending in-person events and developing outreach materials, to amplify knowledge of our services.
•In collaboration with the A2J and Communications team, develop digital communications materials (i.e. social media and blog posts) related to Environmental Justice and the National Environmental Justice Strategy.
• Conduct client intake interviews with people who contact West Coast seeking legal assistance and prepare intake memos to discuss client needs with the staff lawyers and Program Manager.
•Work with the staff lawyers and Program Manager to identify and provide the client with referrals to lawyers, organizations and other services to support their legal and non-legal needs.
•Where needed, connect clients and grant recipients with complementary training or services on community organizing, fundraising, campaigning, working with the media, and engaging effectively with Indigenous nations as a complement to their legal strategy and their formal legal process.