VANCOUVER NONPROFITS, VANCOUVER JOBS

Position: Access to Justice Program Manager
Organization: West Coast Environmental Law
Location: Vancouver BC / Hybrid
Application Deadline: October 4, 2023

West Coast Environmental Law (West Coast) is seeking a new Access to Justice Program Manager. The Access to Justice Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operation of West Coast’s Access to Justice Program, which for over 30 years has provided environmental legal services through:

• a free summary legal advice service that offers legal assistance by way of a dedicated call-in telephone line and email, and
• the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF), which is a fund established for the purpose of assisting clients to cover a portion of their legal and expert costs to protect the environment.

The position offers an exciting opportunity for the right candidate who is ready to use their exceptional administrative, relationship-building, outreach, coordination and organizational skills to bring together diverse communities with the legal support they need to defend the places and people they love from environmental harm.

This is a full time (35 hour/week) position based out of our Vancouver office. Flexible work hours or work from home from another BC location are possible.

About West Coast

West Coast harnesses the power of law to solve complex environmental challenges. By putting the law in the hands of communities, we are building the collective power to achieve a more just and sustainable future for all. Learn more at: wcel.org/our-story

RESPONSIBILITIES

Summary Advice Program

• Serve as first point of contact for West Coast’s public environmental legal aid services, managing the client intake process and coordinating the provision of summary advice from the Access to Justice Lawyer and other West Coast lawyers.
• Where applicable, connect clients 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.
• Raise the profile of West Coast’s Access to Justice Program among diverse communities in BC.
• Set goals and implement plans for continuous improvement in serving the environmental justice needs of Indigenous, racialized and other communities disproportionately impacted by environmental issues in BC.
• Orient new law students and other team members to the Access to Justice Program, including relevant communications, file management and reporting protocols.
• File management and record-keeping to generate financial, statistical and other reports about the Access to Justice Program.

Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund

• Recruit and engage a diverse and talented roster of environmental lawyers and experts from around BC to take on EDRF files.
• Coordinate and engage a diverse, active, and informed EDRF Management Committee responsible for the oversight of the EDRF and funding decisions.
• Guide applicants through the EDRF application process and provide life-cycle support through their EDRF experience from first grant to case completion and closure.
• Ensure the good governance of the EDRF by recommending and administering policy and procedures and managing reporting to the West Coast Boards and the Law Foundation of British Columbia under the direction of the Executive Director & Senior Counsel.
• Share EDRF updates on policy changes, grants made and grantee legal updates and deliverables with the West Coast team through various organizational communications opportunities and channels.
• Work with the Access to Justice Lawyers and Communications team to profile EDRF cases in the media and to amplify EDRF grantee media work through West Coast communications channels as appropriate.

General Responsibilities

• Work with the Communications team to maintain and update the Access to Justice section of the West Coast website.
• Work with the Development and Communications teams to encourage EDRF grant recipients to become supporters of West Coast Environmental Law, or otherwise deepen their engagement in our work once their cases are complete.
• Work with the Development team to attract new sources of funding for the Access to Justice program and increase the resources available to support community-led environmental protection in BC.
• Network with external organizations and communities to build a list of complementary services and supports for people who reach out to us (e.g. supports for communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms, including social and mental health services, other legal aid organizations etc.).
• Participate in Environmental Justice initiatives of West Coast including serving on the Environmental Justice Committee.
• Conduct program evaluation on how effectively goals and outcomes are achieved and make recommendations for improvement.
• Other related tasks assigned by the Executive Director or Access to Justice Lawyer.

An ideal candidate will bring the following to this role:

• A compassionate and trauma-informed approach to client and partner relationships.
• Exceptional relationship building, listening and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in developing partnerships and building networks of reciprocal support.
• Previous experience in administrative and governance support at an executive level.
• Enthusiasm and drive to grow a successful program to a new level of reach and effectiveness.
• Knowledge of, and experience with an intersectional approach to environmental protection and Indigenous rights issues.
• Excellent organizational, logistical, planning and time management skills.

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and coordinate multiple client files.
• Impeccable, accurate and detailed records management ability, including financial records.
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, reporting and writing.
• Commitment to the mission and values of West Coast.
• Previous fund-management experience an asset.
• Hands-on experience with community-based organizing, campaigning and/or media communications is an asset.
• Experience in a non-profit organization with a Board of Directors is an asset.

Salary and hours: Salary range is $50,000 - $69,000 full time, commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive vacation and benefits package, including pension (RRSP contribution) after one year of employment. Part-time (down to 0.8 time) and flexible work hours possible; in the case of reduced hours, FTE salary would be pro-rated accordingly.

TO APPLY:

Send your CV with a cover letter that describes what would make you a great Access to Justice Program Manager to admin@wcel.org no later than October 4, 2023. Please quote “A2J Program Manager” and include your last name in the subject line. Please indicate you saw this posting at GoodWork.

West Coast Environmental Law aims to promote equity and challenge discrimination. We recognize the value of diversity in the workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, races, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, abilities and beliefs. We strongly encourage Indigenous and/or IBPOC (Indigenous, Black/Brown and People of Colour) individuals to apply.

We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices. Applicants with a disability or any special needs may make a request for accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, and we will work with you to meet your needs. Such requests should be communicated to Samantha Myran, Coordinating Lawyer – smyran@wcel.org .

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Visit our website at: http://www.wcel.org