Job Posting: Office Manager for DABC

Who We Are

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications.

We work to support people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in the community.

Job Description

DABC is seeking a full-time Office Manager to join our team. Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Office Manager will provide oversight on the organization’s operations, including facilities management, HR, finance compliance and administrative processes. As the organization’s mission and mandate is greatly rooted in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, the ideal candidate will also demonstrate passion and leadership in advancing these principles within the organization.

The Office Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that DABC’s administrative operations being handled accurately and respectfully in the organization, and alongside this, supports the ED on ensuring that financial and operational aspects of administration are running smoothly. The Office Manager also plays a key role as a member of DABC’s leadership committee, contributing to the direction and leadership of the organization as a whole.

Responsibilities:

Administrative Management

  • In liaison with other admin staff, coordinates and maintains a record of all supplier, insurance and lease contracts
  • In liaison with other admin staff, ensure the smooth day to day running of office systems
  • Liaise with technical support on issues related to IT systems
  • Oversee compliance and due diligence obligations

HR

  • Neatly organized record of all personnel files and manage HR correspondence
  • Work with the EDI committee and ED on drafting and/or revising HR policies and practices
  • Coordinate extended health insurance
  • Oversee systems and quality assurance of recording absences and entitlements
  • Work with senior staff to oversee recruitment, training and performance assessment of all staff
  • Liaise and support on staff and volunteer recognition activities
  • Collaborate on any professional development opportunities for staff

Financial Management

  • Support ED and senior staff on budget allocation, cheque requisition and invoicing
  • Support the Finance Manager and ED with annual audit
  • Work with the Finance Manager to ensure the organization is up to date on their filings as a registered charity and provincial society
  • Coordinate weekly cheque signing
  • Work with the ED and Grants and Fundraising Manager to monitor all sources of funding

Working hours:

This is a full-time, permanent, salaried position at $60,000 per year.

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

  • 3 weeks of paid vacation annually plus 2 weeks of paid time off during DABC’s annual holiday office closure in December.
  • 18 days of paid sick leave annually
  • 100% of the cost of extended health and dental care benefits

Requirements:

  • Minimum 5 years applicable work experience
  • Experience in the non-profit sector
  • Demonstrate leadership and commitment to anti-oppression principles
  • Knowledge of BC laws of which a non profit organization should be in compliance with
  • Excellent organizational skills and record keeping
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to address conflict with empathy and kindness
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and other online sharing platforms
  • Be able to take initiative by identifying and addressing rooms for improvement in the organization

The following are strong assets for this position: 

  • Lived experience with a disability
  • Lived experience as a member of an equity-deserving group
  • Training in trauma-informed practice
  • Experience in advancing the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Understanding and demonstrated experience in change management strategies

The position is located in Vancouver, on the Unceded Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

This position offers a flexible hybrid work opportunity; the successful candidate may wish to work at the office (located in downtown Vancouver) a few days a week and at home the rest of the time.

Importantly, we are looking for people who want to make a long term commitment to our organization and have a strong desire to assist people with disabilities as well as further the impact of our organization.

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.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and brief covering letter addressed to Helaine Boyd, Executive Director at helaine@disabilityalliancebc.org No phone calls or faxes please. 

Applications are due no later than midnight on January 29, 2023. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted in February and the position start date will be as soon as possible.  

DABC's guarantee re: MAiD

Sign saying: "You are important. You are valuable. Your needs are important. This organization will not recommend, suggest or refer you to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) as an alternative to assisting in obtaining the necessary supports and services you require. You are safe here." The DABC logo is displayed at the bottom.

DABC will not, under any circumstance, recommend Medical Assistance in Dying as an alternative to necessary supports and services.

The above sign is displayed at the DABC office and we encourage other disability organizations to follow suit and post their own statements. This is an initiative started by BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS).

We're seeking volunteer receptionists!

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is seeking passionate and motivated volunteers to support our front-desk reception as we work to bring back our advocacy work in-person at our office in downtown Vancouver. DABC is a provincial, cross-disability non-profit, charitable organization that champions issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications. 

Our reception volunteers are often the first face or voice that a client interacts with when connecting with DABC. They exhibit an empathetic and professional attitude and respond to inquiries about our services. DABC provides a variety of services that assist clients with applying for provincial and federal disability benefits, Disability Tax Credit, Registered Disability Savings Plan, tax filings and tax credits, legal aid, and wheelchair accessible housing. Reception volunteers will be trained and mentored on an ongoing basis through regular supervision from the Advocacy Access Administrative Assistant, Advocacy Access Program Manager and the Access RDSP Program Manager. All of our current reception volunteers have lived experience with a disability.  

Our Reception Volunteers: 

  • Respond to client inquiries over the phone, email and in-person 
  • Screen clients for eligibility of our services and conduct intake of client contact information for our waitlists 
  • Keep detailed and accurate records of visitor requests/calls 

Reception Volunteers should have the following skills and qualifications: 

  • Be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook  
  • Have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language 
  • Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with clients and staff across many diverse backgrounds 
  • Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team as well as independently 
  • Maintain a professional, respectful and empathetic demeanor with clients and have the ability to manage client expectations as it relates to the capacity and scope of DABC’s services 

The following are strong assets for this position: 

  • Lived experience with disability 
  • Lived experience with provincial disability benefits (PWD/PPMB) 
  • Experience in the non-profit sector 
  • Experience supporting people with disabilities 
  • Knowledge and understanding of community resources available to people with disabilities 

Volunteers will receive a small monthly honourarium for their contribution to DABC’s advocacy work.  

Hours Per Week: 1-2 shifts per week (each shift is 4 hours) 

100% of DABC’s staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Many of the clients that DABC serves have medical conditions which make them vulnerable and more susceptible to severe symptoms of COVID-19, and so it is vital that DABC strives to protect our clients from risk of transmission. It is DABC’s policy to request that all volunteers be fully vaccinated.  

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. 

To Apply: Please send an email expressing your interest with the subject line “Volunteer Application”, along with a resume to advocacy@disabilityalliancebc.org. No phone calls or faxes please.