Financial Empowerment Specialist

Bissell Centre; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A community empowerment organization in Edmonton is seeking a Financial Empowerment Specialist to improve the financial well-being of low-income individuals. The role involves delivering workshops, developing materials, and collaborating with Indigenous communities. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant diploma or degree and have strong communication skills. Flexible working hours required, and previous experience in financial literacy is a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-year relevant employment experience including program development or project management.
• Experience in financial literacy will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures & history.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Financial Literacy workshops to community members.
• Monitor and evaluate key performance indicators for the financial interventions.
• Collaborate with Bissell Indigenous Engagement team to share knowledge.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Diploma or degree in Social Work, Business Management, Education, Project Management

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well‑being of each individual, Bissell Centre’s work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our mission is to work with others to empower people to move from poverty to cultural, social, and economic prosperity. We empower people to meet their own basic daily needs, participate in community and have sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, feel hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast‑paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision. Are you a Social Work or Business Professional looking to make an impact in your community? Do you have endless optimism, ready to move and create change in the community? Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well‑being of each individual, Bissell Centre’s work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our community comes from all walks of life and so do we. Through our programs we work to empower people from meeting their own basic daily needs to having sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, and feeling hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast‑paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision.

Currently, Bissell Centre is looking for an individual wanting to join our Financial Empowerment team. Are you ready to be our Financial Empowerment Specialist and make an impact in our community?

ABOUT THE ROLE

Financial Empowerment is a Bissell Centre program focused on improving the financial wellbeing of low‑income people through the integration of 5 key financial interventions into service delivery across the organization. The 5 key financial interventions are : one‑on‑one financial coaching, financial literacy workshops, taxes & benefits, banking inclusion & accessing the Canada Learning Bond through RESPs. This role will organize and monitor the expansion of Financial Empowerment services through community partnership, guided by a commitment to relationship building, Indigenous cultural competency, and accessibility. The project collaborates with Bissell’s Indigenous Engagement and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum of Services programs. The core strategy is to expand the train‑the‑trainer model through mutual knowledge exchange empowering communities to lead their own financial literacy initiatives.

WHAT IS THE ROLE

Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver Financial Literacy workshops to community members.
• Develop and distribute informational materials for front line workers and participants.
• Monitor and evaluate key performance indicators (KPI’s) for the 5 key financial interventions.
• Work with Indigenous Communities and participants with FASD to mutually exchange knowledge and empower communities to lead their own financial literacy initiatives.
• Work with Financial Empowerment Coordinator to ensure support to low‑income participants during Financial Connect & tax clinic hours in Bissell Service Hub.
• Collaborate with Bissell Indigenous Engagement team to build connections and share knowledge with Indigenous Communities.
• Collaborate with Edmonton Fetal Alcohol Network Society to build connections and engage in sharing knowledge with individuals with FASD.
• General and Administrative Funding reports and data entry.
• Administrative support.
• Attend meetings with funders and partners.
• Utilize software for booklet development and editing.
• Other duties as required.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

Qualifications & Commitment to Values

• Formal Education and Experience: Diploma or degree in Social Work, Business Management, Education, Project Management, or other relevant education and/or experience.
• Minimum 2-year relevant employment experience including program development, relevant case management or project management.
• Experience and training in financial literacy or financial empowerment will be considered an asset.
• Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) registration will be considered an asset.
• Candidates holding a Social Work Degree or Diploma are required to be registered and in good standing with the ACSW.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, result oriented, applied time management, strong organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience in facilitation / presentation skills.
• Familiarity and an understanding of Indigenous cultures & history.
• Familiarity with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or FASD.
• Familiarity with issues of poverty, homelessness, and Edmonton’s urban core; working with high‑risk populations.
• Demonstrate high competency in computer systems (Word, Excel, Outlook, and database programs).

WORKING CONDITIONS

Flexibility of the working week is inherent in this position as the workload fluctuates. Flexibility to work a combination of weekdays and weekends is required.

• The operation of a personal vehicle with $2,000,000 third‑party liability insurance coverage is required.

GUIDING COMPETENCIES

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the mission, vision, and core values of Bissell Centre.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Service Focus: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of participants and the community to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Foster, sustain and role model productive team management practices, and contribute to a positive team environment. Share expertise and knowledge to support, coach and develop others.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Stay Organized: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information, and activities.
• Plan Proactively: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create, and implement action plans, and evaluate the processes and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Adapt to Change: Personal capacity to adapt to change, lead competently through change, and make strategic adjustments to address changing needs.
• Self‑Motivate: Capable of demonstrating independence and entrepreneurialism.
• Work SMART: Create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Bound.

SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

• Criminal Record Check
• Child Intervention Record Check
• Driver’s Abstract
• Valid Driver’s License

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Conflict into Calm Training
• Financial Literacy Basics and Coaching Training
• Metis Money Moves Train the Trainer
• All other training required within first three months of employment and as directed thereafter.