Job Posting: Articling Student, Disability Law Clinic

Our Mission

For 45 years, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. Our mission is to support people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and as equal and full participants in the community. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research, and publications. We are a member organization of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition.

In 2020, DABC opened the Disability Law Clinic (DLC). Funded by the Law Foundation of BC, the DLC is the first non-profit legal clinic in BC that works exclusively in the area of disability rights. The DLC provides free legal advice and assistance to low-income people with disabilities throughout BC, in certain disability-related areas of law, including:

• Human rights and discrimination, including disability-related complaints to the BC Human Rights Tribunal (BCHRT) and federal human rights agencies.
• Disputes about income support for people with disabilities, especially disability assistance from BC’s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. The DLC works with DABC’s Advocacy Access program on appeals of Ministry decisions, at the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT). The DLC also represents clients in applications for judicial review of EAAT decisions.
• Questions or disputes related to decision-making rights, especially in cases where BC’s Public Guardian and Trustee or a court-appointed committee make decisions on behalf of a person.
• Questions about private long-term disability insurance benefits.

You can find more information about our services on our website, at https://disabilityalliancebc.org/program/disability-law-clinic/

The DLC currently consists of two lawyers, one articling student, a full-time legal assistant/advocate, and a part-time intake worker/legal assistant. We are seeking a new articling student for 1 year, starting in August 2023.

Duties and Responsibilities of the articling student

• Interviewing clients, conducting legal research, preparing pleadings, and representing clients in disability-related human rights complaints to the BC Human Rights Tribunal (BCHRT) and federal human rights agencies.
• Representing clients in appeals to BC’s Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT), in cases involving disputes about provincial government disability benefits.
• Providing research support and helping the DLC’s staff lawyers to prepare applications for judicial review of tribunal decisions.
• Preparing research and briefing notes to support DABC’s ongoing systemic policy advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.
• Delivering public legal education sessions and workshops, for people with disabilities and disability-related organizations.
• Reviewing DABC’s help-sheets and other publications about government disability benefits, to ensure they are accurate and up to date, and developing new help-sheets in cooperation with DABC staff.
• Responding to inquiries from the public, going through the intake process with prospective clients, triaging requests for assistance, and ascertaining what information is needed in order to determine if a potential claim has merit.
• Helping develop updated training materials for legal advocates.
• Attending DABC staff meetings and community events.

Desired Skills and Experience

• You must have completed and graduated from law school before August 2023, and be eligible to article as per the requirements of the Law Society of British Columbia.
• We encourage applications from members of communities that experience structural discrimination and marginalization, particularly people with disabilities.
• Experience working with people with disabilities and other marginalized communities is preferred.
• Experience working with people in crisis and familiarity with trauma-informed practice would be assets.
• You must have some understanding of legal issues affecting people with disabilities, and strong research and communication skills.
• You may be expected to work at home on two or three days per week, so the ability to work independently is important.

The articling student’s salary will be $55,000.00 for 12 months. The articling student’s Professional Legal Training Course (PLTC) fees will also be covered.

To apply: Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, law school transcripts, and a writing sample of no more than 5 pages, to Andrew Robb, Managing Lawyer, Disability Law Clinic, at andrew@disabilityalliancebc.org

Closing date: January 13, 2023

*This position is funded by the Law Foundation of BC*

We're Hiring: Community Engagement Specialist (Vancouver Island)

Community Engagement Specialist | 
Access RDSP Program  

Post Open: November 10, 2022 

Post Closes: November 25, 2022, 4:30pm 

Location: Vancouver Island, BC 

Category: Community and Social Services 

Job Type: Contractor (3days/week)  

Term: Two years, with possibility of extension 

Salary:  $28.00/hr  

Report to:  Director-Access RDSP Program, Disability Alliance BC 

Who We Are 

Disability Alliance BC 

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. 

DABC works in partnership with Plan Institute, and the BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) on the Access RDSP partnership to promote the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) across BC. 

Project Background 

Through a new RDSP initiative, Access RDSP partners are working to reduce poverty and barriers to long-term financial stability for children and youth with disabilities living on Vancouver Island. The RDSP is a long-term savings plan designed to help people with disabilities access significant financial savings for their future. The successful candidate will help to increase access to the RDSP by raising awareness about the program and supporting people across Vancouver Island communities to navigate through the application process.  

Duties & Responsibilities 

Under the supervision of Disability Alliance BC’s Access RDSP Program Director, the Community Engagement Specialist will: 

• Develop and lead the community awareness and outreach strategies for the project using a variety of means including the development of educational materials, delivery of virtual and in-person workshops, and establishment of new community partnerships to improve RDSP uptake for children and youth with disabilities on Vancouver Island 
• Provide one-on-one support (remote and in person) for people with disabilities to apply for the DTC and learn about the RDSP. Direct services will include facilitating mobile clinics across Vancouver Island and will require access to a motor vehicle to travel across Vancouver Island 
• Create and deliver training modules to community service providers as well as health, educational, and financial professionals on the DTC/RDSP to build capacity for sustained support within local communities 
• Work closely with Access RDSP program partners, the Island Health Authority (IHA), and community partners by:
  – Attending regular meetings with DABC 
  – Attending and facilitating meetings with IHA team leads
  – Attending outreach and quarterly meetings with Access RDSP partners 

The successful applicant must:  

• Be able to work effectively with people with disabilities  
• 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 self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team  
• Have excellent organizational skills  
• Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive client information  
• Have a driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle 
• Have a laptop  
• Be able to pass a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check.  

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  
• Strong knowledge of social media  
• Experience with a disability and/or supporting people with disabilities  
• Access to a printer  

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) cynthia@disabilityalliancebc.org using the subject heading “Job Application: Vancouver Island Community Engagement Specialist”. No phone calls or faxes please. 

Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 25, 2022. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted in September and the position start date will be as soon as possible. 

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!