CPP-D Community Advocate

Open: April 3, 2025
Closes: April 30, 2025
Location: Vancouver
Category: Community and Social Services Job
Type: Part-time (32 hours)
Salary: $43,200.00

Who We Are

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We are a non-profit, charitable organization that champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities. Our mission is to promote a more inclusive and equitable society for people with all disabilities through direct services, community partnerships, systemic advocacy, research, and publications. through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications.

Program Description

Since 1989, DABC’s Advocacy Access Program has been a place of support, information and one-to-one assistance for people with all disabilities. Each year, our advocates assist hundreds of people in-house to apply for and appeal the denial of provincial (known as PWD) and federal (Canada Pension Plan – Disability) disability benefits. We help hundreds more over the phone and by email. We also support other organizations across BC to assist people with disabilities through our workshops and publications.

Job Description

DABC is seeking a part-time Canada Pension Plan-Disability (CPP-D) Community Advocate to join our Advocacy Access Team. The Advocate will be responsible for individual and community advocacy relating to federal CPP-D benefits.

Responsibilities:

• Assist people with disabilities with applications and appeals relating to CPP-D benefits
• Conduct workshops/webinars about CPP-D disability benefits for community organizations, people with disabilities, healthcare professionals, and other interested individuals and groups
• Be a provincial resource for community advocates and individuals on policy and legislation governing CPP-D

The successful applicant must:

• Have a minimum 2 years combined post-secondary education and/or applicable work experience
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language
• Be able to work effectively with people with disabilities from a client-centered approach
• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team
• Have strong analytical and research skills
• Have excellent organizational skills
• Be computer literate and proficient with word-processing software including the Microsoft Office Suite
• Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive client information

The following are strong assets for this position: 

• Experience with CPP-D and other disability benefits
• Experience in the non-profit sector
• Background in law, social work, or a related field
• Lived experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities
• Experience with legal research
• Understanding of anti-oppression principles

Salary: $43,2000 per year

This position offers the following benefits after a three-month probationary period:

• 12 days of paid vacation annually
• 14 days of paid sick leave annually
• 100% of the cost of extended health and dental care benefit premiums
• 2 weeks of paid time off during DABC’s annual holiday office closure in December
• Employee wellness spending account

Working hours and location:

This position is part-time at 32 hours over 4 days per week at 8 hours a day (including 1 hour as a paid lunch break) and is a hybrid work opportunity; the successful candidate may be required to work at the Downtown Vancouver office two or three days a week, and at home the rest of the time. The position may also require occasional travel to other BC communities. During your initial training, you will be required to be in the office 4 days a week until successful completion of training.

The position is located in downtown Vancouver, on the traditional, ancestral and stolen lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Importantly, we are looking for people who want to make a long-term commitment to our organization and have a strong desire to uphold the rights and dignities of people with disabilities.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and brief covering letter addressed to Sharareh Saremi, Program Manager of Advocacy Access at sharareh@dabc.ca using the subject heading “Job Application: CPP-D Community Advocate”. No phone calls please.

Applications are due no later than 4:30pm on April 17, 2025. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.