Communications and Marketing Associate Job Opening | Western Environmental Law Center

The Western Environmental Law Center, a public-interest firm established in 1993, is officially seeking a Communications and Marketing Associate to bolster its advocacy efforts across the western United States.

The organization, which has earned recognition as a top workplace from outlets like Outside Magazine and Law360, announced the opening on Thursday and will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis starting November 25, 2026.

This role represents a strategic shift for the firm as it looks to sharpen its digital presence. The successful candidate will manage audience engagement strategies across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky, while also coordinating with program staff to amplify the firm’s impact on climate and conservation policy.

For those watching the intersection of environmental law and public outreach, the vacancy highlights the increasing reliance on sophisticated digital storytelling to influence policy. The firm, which describes its mission as fostering an “ecology of kinship” across western lands and waters, is looking for someone who can translate complex legal filings into accessible, visually compelling content.

“We are keenly interested in considering a range of applicants with diverse lived experiences who approach the world with kindness, imagination, and vision,” the Western Environmental Law Center stated in its official job posting.

Bridging the Gap Between Law and Public Interest

The position is salaried between $68,000 and $75,000, depending on the candidate’s experience and geographic location. While the firm maintains physical offices in Eugene and Portland, Oregon; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Helena, Montana, it has signaled openness to considering remote candidates on a case-by-case basis.

The scope of work is broad, spanning from website maintenance and data-based infographic design to drafting press releases and supporting fundraising initiatives.

The firm expects the associate to possess a firm grasp of AP style and a proactive approach to project management. The role is designed for a 40-hour work week, though the nature of high-stakes environmental litigation occasionally necessitates work outside of standard business hours.

The firm’s emphasis on equity and inclusion is reflected in its recruitment outreach. “We strongly encourage people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ applicants, and people of diverse lived experience to apply,” the organization said.

The Mechanics of Advocacy in 2026

Beyond the technical requirements of social media metrics and WordPress management, the role demands a specific type of intellectual curiosity. The associate will be expected to act as a representative of the firm in coalitions with partners and allies. This requires an ability to maintain trusting relationships with frontline communities and resource-dependent groups, a task that often involves navigating competing economic and environmental priorities.

The firm offers a robust benefits package, including full coverage for health, vision, and dental premiums, along with a 401(k) match and a sabbatical policy that grants three months of leave for every five years of service. These provisions aim to mitigate the burnout common in high-intensity legal and advocacy environments.

As the application window approaches its first review date on November 25, the firm has asked that prospective candidates submit a 1–2 page cover letter, professional references, and a portfolio of work samples. They explicitly encouraged applicants to share their personal motivations for entering the field, prioritizing the human element behind the resume.

The question of how environmental nonprofits can effectively leverage digital media to drive systemic change remains an open one, particularly as platforms like Bluesky and LinkedIn evolve their algorithms. For the Western Environmental Law Center, the answer lies in finding a communicator who can balance the rigor of legal advocacy with the immediacy of modern digital engagement.