Financial Empowerment Counselor

POSITION TITLE: FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT COUNSELOR

REPORTS TO:   Director of Economic Mobility Services

Hourly Wage: $20.00

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Financial Empowerment Counselor provides one-on-one coaching, group education, and resource navigation to support clients in building financial capability and long-term economic security. This role directly supports the Whole Family Approach by advancing financial stability, reducing household vulnerability, and promoting asset development across generations. The Counselor also effectively supports integrated programs as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coaching & Case Management

• Conducts financial assessments and develops customized action plans with clients.
• Manages client caseload by interacting with clients in a professional and positive manner, developing strategies for addressing financial objectives,  and ensuring timely follow-up calls, correspondence, and contacts.
• Provide coaching on budgeting, savings, credit, debt reduction, and banking access.
• Support clients in setting and achieving financial goals tied to housing, employment, and education.
• Collaborate with mobility coaches and other case managers to coordinate the achievement of Whole Family planning goals.

Education & Workshops

• Conducts program financial empowerment learning sessions, including Financial and Credit Counseling, Budget Development, Debt Management Programs, Pre-homeownership counseling, Bankruptcy Counseling, Credit Report Reviews, and Student Loan Counseling.
• Participates in staff and counselor meetings and training as scheduled.
• Interacts with staff, board, clients, and others in a professional, helpful, and positive manner.
• Organizes and facilitates Payment Plus workshops under the direction of the Program Director and in partnership with Duke Energy and ensures timely delivery of bill credits to customers when appropriate.
• Coordinate with community partners to expand financial education offerings.

Systems Navigation & Advocacy

• Assists clients in opening accounts, accessing credit reports, and identifying predatory lending risks.
• Assists in the facilitation of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to deliver VITA services in the NKCAC service area.
• Refer clients to asset-building programs such as IDAs and FASFA.
• Represents NKCAC at community events, seminars, and networking functions, as needed.

Data & Compliance

• Maintains accurate case notes, goal plans, and outcome tracking to support grant tracking and CSBG ROMA reporting.
• Supports grant compliance through data entry, reporting, and audits.
• Participates in training on financial coaching models.
• Complies with all Federal and State regulations, including funding source requirements.
• Other duties or special projects as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIRED SKILLS:  

• High School Diploma
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office & web-based databases
• Experience with computer appointment systems, data entry, and business writing
• Ability to work with people of diverse and varying socio-economic backgrounds in a crisis
• Ability to work on projects independently with strong personal organization
• Ability to work some weekends and early evening hours as needed
• Ability to travel to and work from the satellite offices of NKCAC and attend events outside of the office, both of which require the ability to travel from place to place within the service area
• Ability to prepare reports and present to diverse audiences

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• Bilingual (Spanish language fluency)
• Current credit counseling certification
• Financial Counseling experience
• Experience using client/customer data management systems

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 10 lbs up to 10% of the time
• Ability to sit at, read, and enter data on a computer for prolonged periods up to 75% of the time.

*NKCAC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We strongly encourage people of Color, people with disabilities, women, bilingual people, and former or current recipients of public assistance to apply for available positions.

NKCAC IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE