Job Posting: Community Advocate for DABC

Open: March 3, 2023 

Closes: March 17, 2023 

Location: Vancouver, BC  

Category: Community and Social Services Job  

Type: Full Time (4 days/week), Maternity Leave Cover, for a 12-month period 

Salary: $48,000/year (prorated to $38,400/year) 

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.  

Our mission: to support people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in the community.  

Program Description  

Access RDSP is a DABC program in partnership with Plan Institute and the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS). This program is part of the financial literacy arm of our Advocacy Access Program.  

Building on the work of our collaborative partnership, the objective of this program is to promote the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) across BC, and to assist people with disabilities to access the DTC and open an RDSP.  

Job Description  

DABC is seeking a Community Advocate for our Access RDSP program. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Advocate will work one-on-one to help people with disabilities apply for the DTC and learn about the RDSP. The Advocate will also help raise awareness about the RDSP through the development of strategic partnerships and community outreach. The successful applicant will also have administrative responsibilities associated with the day-to-day operation of the program.  

The position will be based out of DABC’s Vancouver office but requires occasional travel to other BC communities. 

This position is to cover a maternity leave for a 12-month period and may be extended; it is for 4 days per week (pro-rated to $38,400 annual salary) with the possibility of increasing to 5 days per week ($48,000 annual salary).

The successful applicant must:  

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

The following are strong assets for this position:  

• Experience with disability benefits, including the DTC and RDSP  
• Experience in the non-profit sector  
• Experience with community outreach or program planning  
• Experience with presenting complex information to diverse audiences  
• Experience working with Adobe Creative Suite  
• Experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities  
• A driver’s license  

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 encouraged to apply.  

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter addressed to Cynthia Minh, Director—Tax AID& Access RDSP at cynthia@disabilityalliancebc.org using the subject heading “Job Application: Community Advocate”. No phone calls or faxes please.  

Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 17, 2023. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted at the end of March and the position start date will be at the start of April.  

We're Hiring: Finance 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

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Finance Manager will be responsible for all day-to-day bookkeeping/accounting functions including performing all bookkeeping, payroll calculations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reviewing and assessing budgets and maintaining all accounts while ensuring that DABC is remaining financially compliant. In essence, the Finance Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that DABC is financially healthy and compliant with all relevant provincial and federal financial regulations.

This position is based in DABC’s office in downtown Vancouver and with the right candidate, we can offer a part-time or full-time position with a salary range of $60,000-$67,000.

The Finance Manager must have strong working knowledge of full cycle bookkeeping/accounting, a high ability to take initiative in carrying out in-depth analysis of accounts, a keen attention to detail, and excellent organizational and record-keeping skills. The Finance 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:

• Preparing DABC’s annual budget and program budgets for grant applications and reports, and entry into Sage accounting software
• Preparing all financial records for year-end audits
• Preparing, administering and reconciliating of balance sheet accounts including deferred revenue, prepaid expenses, accrued liability, restricted assets, various banks working schedules on monthly basis
• Allocating costs / revenues to programs and correct budget lines and maintaining records of supporting documentation in compliance with auditing trails and funder requirements
• Work with the ED to update DABC’s Accounting Policy as needed
• Preparing internal monthly report on finances and cash flow. Assess and advise on current program budgets and global financial position
• Preparing charity tax returns, bi-annual GST rebates, annual WSIB reports, and all funder reports
• Maintaining compliance with CRA requirements on tax receipts and charitable gifts
• Monitoring accounts payable and receivable, and working with contractors and vendors
• Calculating / adjusting payroll / reviewing / allocating bi-monthly Ceridian reports, filing annual T4A reports and ensuring compliance
• Advising the Executive Director and Leadership team on budget expenditure and financial reporting requirements for all funders
• Preparing yearly Community Gaming Grant summary reports and monitoring Gaming accounts
• Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive staff and organizational information
• Attend meetings with funders and senior staff, and present on budget expenditures
• Preparing cheques and processing cheque requisitions
• Other bookkeeping/accounting related duties as required

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 premiums
• 2 weeks of paid time off during DABC’s annual holiday office closure in December.

Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in a similar role
• Sound knowledge of program accounting and two years’ year-end closing experience with external auditors
• Demonstrated high degree of skill in adjusting general ledger and making journal entries
• Experience in the non-profit sector
• Extensive knowledge of BC non profit accounting standards
• Knowledge of CRA requirements for registered charities
• Direct experience using Sage accounting software
• Experience with Microsoft Office, proficiency required in Excel
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high ethical integrity of confidential information
• The ability to explain complex financial concepts to laypeople
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Be able to take initiative by identifying room for improvement with regards to the financial practices of 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
• Full or partial relevant accounting accreditation

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

Due to the configuration of our accounting system, the successful candidate will be required to work at our office located in downtown Vancouver.

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.

DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted in November and the position start date will be as soon as possible.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis – apply today!