Financial Counselor (Financial Empowerment Center)

The Financial Empowerment Center program aims to improve the financial stability of Paterson, New Jersey households by providing high-quality, one-on-one financial education and counseling to low-income residents. Financial Empowerment Centers are located in areas with high concentrations of poverty and financial distress. The Financial Counselor will provide on-going coaching and counseling services to low-income individuals and families in Paterson. The Financial Counselor position will report directly to the Financial Empowerment Center Program Director. The Financial Counselor will have an indirect reporting line to the appointed supervisor in each partner agency that houses the Financial Counselor.

Responsibilities:

· Assess client needs and develop individual financial action plans with each client;

· Provide individualized financial counseling sessions (including both initial and follow-up sessions) and achieve client outcomes;

· Provide financial coaching to a caseload of clients on the subjects of creating a personal budget, establishing a bank account, taking out loans, and establishing credit, as well as advanced asset building topics, including analyzing credit reports, techniques to build credit, and debt reduction as needed;

· Facilitate financial literacy workshops, as well as ensuring financial orientation within cultural orientation and other Paterson departments, to increase client learning of credit, banking and financial services;

· Make appropriate referrals and integrate other wraparound supports into counseling to achieve greater results;

· Use FEC Database as assigned to track client services, outcomes, and metrics;

· Participate in initial trainings and ongoing professional development trainings;

· Successfully complete and pass counselor training;

· Participate in FEC-wide events and initiatives and all-staff/ program meetings;

· Exercise a high level of organizational skill and tracking ability to document in detail eligibility, enrollment and outcomes information for program participants. Assist with program reporting;

· Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and two years of experience of relevant work experience with some background in finance, financial education, counseling/coaching, or social service delivery;

. Must be Bilingual (Spanish/ English)

· Particular expertise in one of the following: financial services, social work, financial planning, coaching/mentoring, teaching, or other related fields;

· Individual with a passion for supporting people with low incomes to build greater financial stability.

· Excellent interpersonal skills: the ability to work effectively with partners and colleagues in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment;

· Solid organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines;

· Excellent writing and verbal communication abilities;

· Strong Computer skills: MS Word, Excel, and Outlook;

· Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Fundraising: 1 year (Preferred)
• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person