Financial Empowerment Specialist

The Youth Counselor; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

Employer matched retirement savings

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The Village in Hartford, CT, is seeking a Financial Empowerment Specialist to deliver client-centered coaching, housing counseling, and financial education. You will conduct outreach, assess needs, and guide clients toward financial stability with support from a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities include one-on-one coaching, budgeting guidance, and facilitating group workshops; strong English/Spanish communication and confidentiality are essential. Competitive benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience as a case manager, counselor, or group facilitator preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in financial services, human services, or related field preferred; six years total experience acceptable.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; ability to maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Establish rapport with clients to build trusting, collaborative relationships.
• Provide one-on-one coaching and case management to help housing and financial goals.
• Educate and support housing counseling and credit improvement efforts.
• Assist with outreach and recruitment to engage clients and funders.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to deliver services.

Skills

Bilingual EN/ES

Financial counseling

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in financial services/human services/related field

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet

FOC software

Windows environment

Job description

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The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to providehomes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve ourmission “to build a community of strong, healthy families who protectand nurture children” by providing a full range of behavioral health,early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment andsupport services for children, adults and families in the GreaterHartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for seven consecutive yearswithnationaldistinction for workplace culture and diversity,equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you’re joining anorganization that’s just as committed to your success as we are tothose we serve.

Starting annual salary $44,000

The Financial Center’s Financial Empowerment Specialist will beresponsible for implementing programs at The Village (and, as needed,other community locations) to help individuals and families movetoward financial stability and achieve financial goals. Programcomponents may include some or all of the following: clientrecruitment; housing counseling and individualized financial coaching;information and referral; Matched Savings Accounts (MSA); financialeducation workshops. This is a full-time, 40-hourper-week positioncurrently funded through a combination of renewable grants.

• Establish rapport with clients that results in trusting,collaborative relationships directed toward
• the achievement of the client’s financial goals
• Provide one-on-one coaching and case management to help clientsidentify and access housing and other resources, develop and monitorbudgets, reduce debt, set and achieve financial goals Provideeducation and support around housing counseling and housing searchassistance Coordinate care with internal (Income Support Specialistand other staff) and external partners to provide a continuum ofservice for clients
• Provide education and, if needed, counseling to help clientsimprove credit scores
• Support clients in accessing and participating in Matched Savings Accounts
• Effectively apply Motivational Interviewing and othercoaching/case management techniques with clients
• Plan and conduct outreach and engagement activities to recruit andretain clients, as needed Collect, manage and report data, asrequired by funders and partners utilizing FOC software system(s)
• Work in coordination with collaborating agencies on variousprogram components; shares responsibility for operationalizingcollaborative agreements
• Assist with funding applications and renewals as needed
• In consultation with the supervisor and Financial Center team,design and facilitate group activities and/or workshops; determineappropriate curricula and/or instructional methods for target audience

Experience and Skills

Education

A minimum of two years’ experience as a case manager, individualcounselor/coach or group facilitator, preferably in financialeducation and/or counseling, working with a culturally andeconomically diverse population is required

Bachelor’s Degree in financial services, human services, or otherrelated field is strongly preferred. An equivalent combinationrelevant education and experience totaling at least six years isminimally required

Experience

Ability to effectively apply principles, practices and techniquesof financial counseling/coaching

• Experience in financial education and/or counseling/coaching preferred
• Knowledge of Section 8 and RAP programs
• Demonstrated cultural competence
• Bilingual/bicultural abilities (English/Spanish) preferred Abilityto communicate effectively orally and in writing Good presentation skills
• Ability to organize time and prioritize workload/ adaptable and flexible
• Ability to be a “self-starter” and work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to build positive and respectful relationships withdiverse groups including clients, colleagues and partners
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications.Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work ina Windows environment. Familiarity with specific applications usedby the Village a plus
• Physically able to perform the essential functions of theposition, with or without reasonable accommodations
• Availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
• Reliable transportation required

Our benefits package supports your whole life with comprehensivehealth coverage, generous paid time off, and employer matchedretirement savings. We also invest in your growth through tuitionassistance (Loan Forgiveness Program – NHSC, tuition reimbursementand Student Loan Repayment). https://thevillage.org/careers/our-benefits/