Job Posting - Community Advocate

Community Advocate for DABC – Provincial Disability Assistance

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.

DABC is partnering with MOSAIC through a new project to increase access for newcomers with disabilities in applying for provincial disability assistance. Both DABC and MOSAIC are each hiring a Community Advocate that will provide greater support newcomer clients in a way that addresses and respects their language and cultural needs.

Job Description

DABC is seeking a Community Advocate to join our Advocacy Access Team. The Advocate will be responsible for individual and community advocacy relating to provincial disability benefits (known as PWD).

Responsibilities:

• Assist people with disabilities with applications and appeals relating to provincial disability (Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Persistent and Multiple Barriers)
• Conduct workshops/webinars about provincial 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 PWD/PPMB

Working hours and location

• This position is full-time for 5 days per week at 8 hours a day (including 1 hour as a paid lunch break).

The position offers a hybrid work opportunity; the successful candidate may be required to work at the 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.

The position is located in downtown Vancouver, on the Unceded, Traditional, and Ancestral Territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Peoples.

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 provincial disability benefits (PWD/PPMB)
• 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: $48,000 per year

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

• 15 days of paid vacation annually
• 18 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.

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@disabilityalliancebc.org No phone calls or faxes please. 

Applications are due no later than midnight on April 24th, 2023. DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.

JOB POSTING: Staff Lawyer: 1-Year Contract

1-year contract starting June 26, 2023
(exact start date can be flexible)

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.

The DLC currently consists of two lawyers, one articling student, a full-time legal assistant/advocate, and a part-time intake worker/legal assistant. This position is a temporary position while one of our lawyers is on leave.

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

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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 summary advice and representation services to the DLC’s clients
• Delivering public legal education sessions and workshops, for people with disabilities and disability-related organizations.
• Supporting administrative staff and helping to manage client intake process.
• Preparing and providing training for advocates in DABC’s Advocacy Access program
• Supervising law students and volunteers
• Supporting DABC’s systemic advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities, including organising advocacy campaigns and preparing written submissions to policy-makers. A particular focus will be the development of accessibility standards pursuant to the Accessible BC Act.

Required

• Membership in the Law Society of BC, or eligibility for immediate transfer
• At least 3 years experience as a practising lawyer
• Familiarity with human rights laws or other relevant areas of law
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Demonstrated success in working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds (e.g. cultural, religious, age, sexual orientation, etc.)
• Demonstrated understanding of ableism, colonialism, and other structures of oppression

Assets

• Experience working from an anti-ableist perspective
• Experience organising public advocacy campaigns, particularly on law reform, and/or preparing formal submissions to policy-makers.
• Experience working with people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.
• Experience working with people in crisis and familiarity with trauma-informed practice.
• Understanding of legal issues affecting people with disabilities, and strong research and communication skills.

We encourage applications from members of communities that experience structural discrimination and marginalization, especially people with disabilities.

The position is located in Vancouver, on the Unceded Territories of the Musqueam, TsleilWaututh, and Squamish Nations.

DABC currently uses a hybrid work model, and the staff lawyer will work in person at DABC’s office at least two days per week, and remotely the rest of the time. Occasional travel to other parts of BC may be required.

Compensation: Salary will be between $80,000 and $95,000 per year, depending on experience. Compensation also includes extended health and dental benefits and 3 weeks of annual vacation plus 2 weeks of paid time off during DABC’s annual holiday office closure.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Andrew Robb, Managing Lawyer, Disability Law Clinic, by email: andrew@disabilityalliancebc.org

Closing date: April 28, 2023

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