Financial Empowerment Specialist

The Village For Families & Children; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, CT is seeking a Financial Empowerment Specialist to implement programs that help individuals and families achieve financial stability. You will provide client recruitment, housing counseling, budgeting coaching, matched savings, and financial education in a full-time capacity, with a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.

As part of the Financial Center, you will coordinate with internal staff and external partners, document

Qualifications

• A minimum of two years’ experience as a case manager, individual counselor/coach or group facilitator, preferably in financial education and/or counseling, working with a culturally and economically diverse population is required
• Bachelor’s Degree in financial services, human services, or other related field is strongly preferred. An equivalent combination relevant education and experience totaling at least six years is minimally required

Responsibilities

• 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 clients identify and access housing and other resources, develop and monitor budgets, reduce debt, set and achieve financial goals
• Provide education and, if needed, counseling to help clients improve credit scores
• Support clients in accessing and participating in Matched Savings Accounts
• Effectively apply Motivational Interviewing and other coaching/case management techniques with clients
• Plan and conduct outreach and engagement activities to recruit and retain clients, as needed

Skills

Financial counseling

Case management

Budgeting

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

BA/BS

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Job description

The Village for Families and Children

Job Location: Hartford, CT

Job Level: Job Level: Mid Career (2+ years)

Level of Education: BA/BS

Job Type: Full-Time/Regular

Years of Experience: Years of Experience: Any

Starting Date: Starting Date: ASAP

Salary: Salary: 44,000.00

Work Hours: Work Hours: 40

Job Description

Our Mission:

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission “to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children” by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for seven consecutive years with national distinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you’re joining an organization that’s just as committed to your success as we are to those we serve.

Starting annual salary $44,000

The Financial Center’s Financial Empowerment Specialist will be responsible for implementing programs at The Village (and, as needed, other community locations) to help individuals and families move toward financial stability and achieve financial goals. Program components may include some or all of the following: client recruitment; housing counseling and individualized financial coaching; information and referral; Matched Savings Accounts (MSA); financial education workshops. This is a full-time, 40-hourper-week position currently 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 clients identify and access housing and other resources, develop and monitor budgets, reduce debt, set and achieve financial goals Provide education and support around housing counseling and housing search assistance Coordinate care with internal (Income Support Specialist and other staff) and external partners to provide a continuum of service for clients
• Provide education and, if needed, counseling to help clients improve credit scores
• Support clients in accessing and participating in Matched Savings Accounts
• Effectively apply Motivational Interviewing and other coaching/case management techniques with clients
• Plan and conduct outreach and engagement activities to recruit and retain clients, as needed Collect, manage and report data, as required by funders and partners utilizing FOC software system(s)
• Work in coordination with collaborating agencies on various program components; shares responsibility for operationalizing collaborative 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; determine appropriate curricula and/or instructional methods for target audience

Experience and Skills

Education

A minimum of two years’ experience as a case manager, individual counselor/coach or group facilitator, preferably in financial education and/or counseling, working with a culturally and economically diverse population is required

• Bachelor’s Degree in financial services, human services, or other related field is strongly preferred. An equivalent combination relevant education and experience totaling at least six years is minimally required

Experience

• Ability to effectively apply principles, practices and techniques of 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 Ability to 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 with diverse groups including clients, colleagues and partners
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications. Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows environment. Familiarity with specific applications used by the Village a plus
• Physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations
• Availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
• Reliable transportation required

Job Benefits

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

The Village for Families and Children is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.