The West Coast Prison Justice Society (WCPJS), which operates Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS), is seeking a volunteer Treasurer to join our Board of Directors.
About us
Prisoners’ Legal Services is a non-profit society providing legal assistance to people in federal and provincial prisons in British Columbia. We serve close to 1,000 clients per year and assist with issues such as solitary confinement, other deprivations of residual liberty and human rights matters. We also engage in strategic litigation and advocacy on the prison justice issues brought forward by our clients to achieve systemic, anti-carceral change.
More information about our work is available at https://prisonjustice.org/.
About the Role
As a Board member, the Treasurer will provide strategic leadership and governance oversight, helping guide the direction, sustainability and accountability of the organization.
The Treasurer works collaboratively with other Directors and the Executive Director while maintaining a clear distinction between board governance and day-to-day organizational operations.
Key responsibilities
- Chair the Finance Committee;
- Provide oversight of WCPJS/PLS’ financial health and help the organization make good fiscal decisions to advance its mission and sustainability;
- Help to identify and anticipate potential financial risks or concerns and work with the Finance Committee and Executive Director to address them;
- Help fellow Board members understand the organization’s finances;
- Review quarterly financial reports and present them to the full Board;
- Present the annual budget to the full Board for approval;
- Review year-end financial statements and present them at the Annual General Meeting;
- Assist with development and updating of financial policies; and
- Serve as an authorized signing officer and a secondary approver on outgoing payments.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone who brings a combination of the following:
- An understanding of basic financial management principles and concepts;
- The ability to review financial reports, identify questions or concerns, and explain financial information to a lay audience;
- Experience with bookkeeping, accounting, finance, nonprofit financial management or governance, or similar experience; and
- Commitment to the rights and dignity of people in prison and advancing prison justice.
Professional accounting credentials are not required. We are particularly interested in candidates who are comfortable working collaboratively, asking questions, and helping our Board understand and make informed decisions about the organization’s finances.
WCPJS/PLS is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice. We welcome and encourage applications from members of marginalized communities or communities that experience structural discrimination, including but not limited to Indigenous people, racialized people, people with (dis)abilities, people of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with experience of incarceration or criminalization.
Time Commitment
- Attend virtual board meetings every 1-2 months
- Chair virtual Finance Committee meetings (generally held on a quarterly basis)
- Attend Annual General Meeting
- Review financial reports, policies and documents
- Approve outgoing payments (generally processed twice per month)
This is a volunteer, unpaid position.
Interested in joining us?
We warmly welcome applications from people who want to use their skills to help promote the financial health of an organization dedicated to prison justice.
To apply, please send a letter describing your relevant experience and your interest in PLS’ mission, along with a resume, to nkief@pls-bc.ca.
Please apply as soon as possible, but no later than September 14, 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and we hope to fill the position by mid-September.
We strive to create an inclusive and barrier-free selection process; please contact nkief@pls-bc.ca to request accommodations.