RELAW Coordinator (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air & Water)

About this position

Vancouver-based West Coast Environmental Law has an immediate opening for a full-time,  staff position based in our Vancouver office, with some degree of flexibility in work location and/or hours possible.

Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water (RELAW) is a unique co-learning and legal support program for Indigenous nations who are working to identify, apply and enforce their own laws to care for their territories and their people, guided by an Indigenous-led team at West Coast Environmental Law. 

With the guidance of the RELAW Program Lead and RELAW Program Manager, the RELAW Coordinator fulfills administrative, coordination and communications roles for the RELAW team to ensure the smooth functioning of the RELAW program, as well as liaising with the Communications team and other departments within the organization. 

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 individuals to apply.

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.

Qualifications

We are seeking an individual with:

• Experience in event planning and project coordination in an Indigenous context
• Excellent organizational, logistical, planning and time management skills
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills 
• Ability to identify needs and solve problems with initiative, creativity and discretion
• Strong time management skills, and an ability to multi-task, prioritize and to help others do so 
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with common office applications (e.g. Microsoft Office); social media fluency an asset
• Experience with trauma-informed hosting/facilitation 
• Experience working with or for Indigenous nations or organizations; lived experience as an Indigenous person with ties to a community is an asset 
• Knowledge and passion for environmental, social justice and Indigenous rights issues in BC
• A keen interest in Indigenous law; knowledge and/or experience working with your own or other Indigenous legal orders is an asset
• Financial fluency to support program budget tracking is an asset 
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in similar coordination role(s).

Responsibilities

RELAW Coordination

• With guidance from the RELAW Program Manager, develop drafts of notices about RELAW co-learning and partnership opportunities
• Manage the logistics of participant selection and intake, including materials for annual call-outs/application processes for the RELAW Co-learning Program; promotion of the call-out; communication with participants; and, maintaining participant records in Salesforce database.
• Manage the logistics of multi-day in-person and online RELAW Co-learning retreats. This includes: researching and coordinating venue bookings, catering services, transportation, accommodations, safety procedures, activities, gifting, and other related duties such as budget management, as required
• Manage the logistics of Ninogad Circle of Advisors yearly in-person gathering, and online Zoom sessions, as determined by the RELAW Program Lead
• Assist in drafting co-learning session agendas from RELAW templates and in coordinating RELAW team input to agendas
• Assist in coordinating the involvement of the host nation and outside trainers/presenters for RELAW co-learning sessions
• Coordinate the development and printing of learning session participant packages (and/or online materials)
• Manage participant RSVPs, emergency contact forms, and travel expense claims for RELAW co-learning retreats
• Administer mechanisms for participant & RELAW lawyer feedback and recommend program modifications to respond to it in areas of Coordinator responsibility.
• Support the trauma-informed approach of the RELAW Program by listening, understanding and offering care and support as needed to RELAW participants.
• Coordinate logistics of periodic Learning Circles among the RELAW and the University of Victoria Indigenous Law Research Unit (ILRU) teams.
• Recommend Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the Coordinator’s responsibilities.

Communications & Community Outreach

• Support the implementation of communications plans for RELAW initiatives (e.g., release of a report; press conference; gatherings/events)
• Work with the Director of Communications and RELAW Program Lead/Manager to develop a RELAW community outreach and engagement plan to engage with key target audiences and raise the profile of the RELAW program
• Contribute to the development of communications materials related to RELAW initiatives and Indigenous rights news to amplify, and work with the Communications team to coordinate/schedule promotion on West Coast’s channels
• Sit on the staff Communications Committee and attend bi-weekly meetings
• Attend regular staff and RELAW meetings and act as a liaison between RELAW and Communications teams
• Assist with the development, drafting, and/or editing of RELAW-focused blog posts
• Assist with RELAW event logistics (e.g. webinars, press conferences) as requested
• Work with the RELAW Program Lead/Manager and Communications staff to document RELAW events, to support development of communications materials about the RELAW program and partner projects (e.g., gather photos, videos, interviews with people involved with RELAW)
• Maintain institutional memory of RELAW relationships by entering/updating relevant information in Salesforce database (including Co-learning Program Cohorts, Ninogad Circle, RELAW Project contacts)
• Other related tasks assigned by the RELAW Program Lead/Manager

Remuneration: Salary range is based on an annual full-time salary of $52,000 -$62,000 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), flexible work hours and/or partial work-from home possible; in the case of reduced hours, FTE salary would be pro-rated accordingly.

About West Coast Environmental Law: West Coast Environmental law harnesses the power of law to solve complex environmental challenges. We work to transform environmental decision-making and strengthen legal protections for the environment through collaborative legal strategies that bridge Indigenous and Canadian law. We approach our work through an environmental justice lens, conscious of the importance of breaking down silos between environmental and other social justice movements. Our work seeks to address environmental harms while simultaneously promoting an equitable society. By putting the law into the hands of communities and creating legal risk for those who would harm the land, air and water, we are building the collective power to build a more sustainable future for all. Read West Coast’s values statement here.

TO APPLY:

Please complete the online application form to submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 pm PT on May 11, 2025. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

We are committed to accessible employment practices. Applicants with a disability or any specific 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 admin@wcel.org