Financial Counselor

Position Description

Title

Financial Counselor

FLSA-Classification

Non-exempt

Salary

$48,000

Reports to

Assistant Director

Location

Millbrook Community Center Program Jobs Plus

Summary

East Side House (ESH), founded in 1891, is a 501(c) (3) organization that has served the South Bronx since 1963. The organization is dedicated to the community and focused on providing resources and opportunities. East Side House has identified that education is the foundation for economic improvement. Our youth education and technology programs teach skills to allow students and clients to become more self-sufficient and independent. As a community resource, the organization also provides services to families and a growing senior population. In 2020 the organization began food distribution as an additional way to provide economic support to the community we serve.

Jobs-Plus is a proven, place-based employment program designed to increase the earnings and employment of working-age residents in designated public housing developments or a cluster of developments. Jobs-Plus - Mill Brook Houses, is operated by East Side House Settlement and based in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. It offers workforce development, financial empowerment services and community building programming to over 3000 residents. With a recent 3-year contract renewal, Jobs-Plus is looking to expand on the services provided to residents since 2013. This expansion will include heightened focus on training and education as well as career advancement services. The Financial Counselor will work closely under the supervision of the Assistant Director.

The Financial Counselor is responsible for managing program data and outcomes for financial services, and assisting participants with navigating the often times complex territory of debt management and credit building.

A successful candidate will display the following characteristics:

• Commitment to mission and goals of East Side House Settlement and Jobs-Plus.
• Strong leadership skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to implement and manage short-term and long-term goals with JP staff.
• Flexibility and creativity to navigate program changes based on community needs.
• Skills necessary to interpret and translate contractual goals.
• Evaluate and report on program success (qualitative and quantitative) to funders
• Maintain strong relationship with all stakeholders, including organization leadership, funders, community leaders, etc.

Primary Functions
The Financial Counselor will provide guidance and coaching to participants on how to advocate for themselves and will assist them in taking steps to reach financial goals and empowerment. Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director, the Financial Counselor will assist the participant in determining which work supports may be needed as they re-enter the workforce.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain an active caseload and work towards achieving outcome targets as outlined in program contract deliverableswhich consists of:
  • Conducting one-on-one interviews with Jobs-Plus members to assess their financial position and behaviors.
  • Helping Jobs-Plus members to decrease their debt, increase their savings, increase their credit score and/or establish credit, open safe and affordable bank accounts, and where applicable, obtain appropriate tax credits (namely the Earned Income Tax Credit) and receive the Earned Income Disallowance (EID).
  • Conducting follow-up interviews with Jobs-Plus members to evaluate progress and program impact and to identify new needs.
  • Referring Jobs-Plus members to appropriate partners and supports, tracking progress, and advocating as necessary.
• Oversee and manage financial services related annual events and initiatives such as tax services with ARIVA and Financial Literacy Month
• Conduct outreach within the Mill Brook, Mott Haven, and Mitchel developments to encourage membership and for residents to take advantage of Jobs-Plus financial counseling services. 
• Thoroughly document all member meetings, referrals, and recommendations in funder database, and maintain organized records. •
• Conduct monthly seminars and workshops on personal financial education topics such as personal credit, budgeting and savings, and financial institutions.
• Engage external financial services partners for referrals as needed; collaborate with internal and external partners, such as Small Business Services, for onsite and virtual events
• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports to appropriate staff
• Work closely with funder and the Office of Child Support Services to help alleviate members’ fear of wage garnishment, conducting a review of child support, and to take actions to help custodial and non-custodial parents based on the criteria provided.
• Work in collaboration with onsite Clinical and Wellness Coordinator and Assistant Director to host workshops that support participants with children and to promote parenting skills development
• Represent East Side House and the Jobs-Plus program at collaborative meetings, as assigned.
• Participate in trainings, technical assistance, networking, and resource sharing opportunities.
• Carry out special projects and other duties as assigned.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Required Skills/Experience

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum of 2 years’ experience in finance, financial education, financial planning or related field
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, presentation and leadership skills. Demonstrated initiative, creativity, flexibility and follow-through
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong computer skills and technological experience including Microsoft Office (Word, Teams, etc.) Google Suite (Google Classroom, Docs, and Sheets) and similar programs

Competencies

• Problem Solving/ Analysis
• Communication Proficiency
• Customer Service 
• Public/Community Relations
• Teamwork Orientation

Expected Work Schedule

This role is a full-time position expected to generally work Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and rotation of first Saturday of every month (10-3PM). Workdays/hours subject to change based on ESH's needs.

Required Clearances

COVID Vaccine – As a recipient of Federal, State, and local funds, all staff are expected to be fully vaccinated or able to obtain vaccination before their start date

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Work Environment

Business casual. This job operates in a school office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Travel

Minimal expected for this position.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform this job's essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This role is generally a sedentary role; however, some sorting/filing is required. Requirements include the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. Reasonable accommodations that allow a candidate to meet the requirements of the position will be considered.

To Apply

To be considered for a position with East Side House, visit our website: https://www.eastsidehouse.org/careers/

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

AAP/EEO Statement

ESH encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.