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. 

Job posting: Project Coordinator

DABC is seeking a Tax Advocate

Open:
October 18, 2021

Closes:
November 1, 2021

Job Type:
4 days/week—may increase depending on the needs of the program.

This position is until March 31, 2024, with the possibility of an extension.

Salary:
$33,600 annually

Benefits:

• Extended Health Care Benefits after 3-month probationary period

• Paid Vacation

• Paid sick leave

Report to: Director, Tax AID

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

Tax AID DABC partners with the Together Against Poverty Society, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, and the Active Support Against Poverty Society, to provide free support to people with disabilities across BC to file income taxes for current and previous years. In addition to simple tax filing, we help with self-employment income, outstanding amounts owed to the Canada

Revenue Agency (CRA), applying for other tax related government programs/benefits, and matters related to financial literacy.

Job Description

DABC is seeking an advocate to join our Tax AID program. Under the supervision of the Tax AID Director, the Advocate/Program Coordinator will work one-on-one to assist people with disabilities with their income taxes and raise awareness about the program through strategic partnership and community outreach. The successful candidate will have other administrative responsibilities related to the program’s operations including developing and conducting workshops, assisting with program reports, and participating in team meetings and training on an as needed basis.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

· Prepare and file accurate tax returns for current and previous years in compliance with CRA standards

· Liaise with clients and the CRA on specific issues related to personal taxes

· Manage multiple client files simultaneously

· Report any questions or concerns to the Director

· Compile and organize client records

· Attend trainings to further develop knowledge on income tax matters

· Organize and assist with volunteer training and potentially their supervision over time as the candidate grows in their role

A successful applicant must

· Be able to work effectively with people with disabilities

· Possess a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience

· Meet the requirements to be a tax filer through CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (CVITP) program

· Have more than 2 years of proven experience using income tax preparation software (e.g., UFile) to prepare income tax returns for clients

· Be self-motivated and adaptable and able to work effectively with a team

· Be detail-oriented and have excellent organizational skills

· Have strong verbal and written communication skills

· Understand the importance of preserving the confidentiality of sensitive client information

· Be computer literate and proficient with word-processing software, including the Microsoft Office Suite

· Be comfortable working in the office and remotely

· Be available for occasional travel to communities across Lower Mainland

The following would also be assets in the position:

· Knowledge of tax law

· Volunteer or coordination experience with the Canadian Revenue Agency’s CVITP Program

· Working knowledge of income tax programs for people with disabilities including the Disability Tax Credit, Canada caregiver amount and other deductions

· Completion of an accounting or tax certificate or diploma/degree

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.therightfitbc.org using the subject heading “Job Application: Tax AID Advocate.” No phone calls or faxes please.

Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 1, 2021. 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 mid-November 2021.

Download the job posting here: Job-Description-Tax-Advocatefinal_Oct2021.