Financial Counselor - New York, United States - BronxWorks

Description

Job Description

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger community. In all aspects of our work, we strive for the highest ethical and performance standards and guided by the belief that people are to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their present situation or past experiences. We have 60 locations throughout the borough providing a variety of programs that offer assistance in the areas of family, children and youth support, educational services, elder care, homelessness, mental health, and workforce development. We are an employer of choice for anyone interested in a meaningful career in the social services field.

The financial counselor is primarily responsible for assisting clients in developing plans of action that are intended to help the client reach their goals and achieve financial stability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide one on one financial counseling/coaching · Inform clients about the value of their services and engage clients in a long-standing relationship ·
• Assist clients to assess and resolve current financial challenges, while providing a wide lens on their financial health to shift the approach to proactive financial management. ·
• Work with clients to complete a very detailed financial assessment. This includes documenting a budget and providing strategies for budget improvements and debt reduction. ·
• Access the clients credit report/score and provide strategies for credit building. ·
• Document the client's balance sheet and provide strategies for increasing net worth. ·
• Develop plans of actions and provide tools, resources, and accountability to the participant to help them meet their goals. ·
• Understand other services offered by BronxWorks, such as employment services, income support and wrap ·
• Offer appropriate referrals and integrate other wraparound financial supports (i.e., education, career/job training and tax preparation) into coaching to achieve greater results. This may also include referral connections for eviction, legal, benefits assistance, etc.) as needed with follow-up support. ·
• Conduct workshops as a means of outreach and education. Workshop topics should be relevant to the community, and may include topics such as: budgeting, savings, banking products, credit building, identity theft, and more. ·
• The workshops may be part of a larger job readiness class offered by the Workforce Development department or workshops to other departments/programs within BronxWorks and to the public. ·
• Help in the development of workshop materials or tailor existing materials to meet the needs of the community. ·
• Complete financial assessment worksheets for financial counseling participants. ·
• Flexible work hours, including some evenings and weekends, will be required of this position. ·
• Duties will be required to be performed at various locations as determined by the organization. ·
• Other duties as assigned.

Data Management

• Maintain data integrity by inputting and updating participant information, such as assessments, case notes, and financial data into Salesforce database and other relevant database systems in real time. This includes any changes the participants status (new job, new benefit, change in credit score) as required ·
• Outcome tracking—track the success stories of program participants, including testimonials. ·
• Work with supervisor and CQI to identify trends in program participants' needs or gaps in services. ·
• Independently review internal progress reports to determine client's progress toward annual goals.

Partnership Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with local financial institutions and community organizations. ·
• Work with mainstream financial institutions to understand the needs of the community so they can provide products and services that fit. ·
• Maintain and establish new relationships within BronxWorks and other community-based organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required
• Must have 3 years' experience and knowledge about financial literacy, personal money management, savings and banking options, safe financial products and services and consumer rights. ·
• Prior work experience in low income communities is a plus ·
• Financial fitness counseling experience; preferred (you must be committed to taking a CUNY Personal Finance course, as mandated by NYC's Office of Financial Empowerment) ·
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills. ·
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish proficiency preferred. ·
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other standard business technology is required (i.e., video conferencing, email management, spreadsheets, database management, etc.)
• A responsible, flexible, self-starter able to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team ·
• Engagement Skills - previous work experience with low-income communities, and/or the ability to provide financial counseling/coaching services in a culturally sensitive manner and relate well to team members and clients. ·
• Strategic Thinking – play an important role in having thoughtful attention to program challenges, contribution of ideas, having a vision and setting goals. ·
• Good understanding of New York City benefits, entitlements, programs, and community resources

BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact