Financial Counselor - Center City Philadelphia

About Clarifi

Clarifi is a regional nonprofit dedicated to financial justice for economically marginalized communities in the Greater Philadelphia region. Our fast-growing organization consistently develops innovative solutions to meet the unique and evolving needs of our communities: Clarifi serves thousands of families each year through free, certified financial empowerment and housing success counseling. Our growing scope of services includes direct cash assistance, access to low-barrier capital for homeowners, and our work in the reentry and housing delinquency spaces. Visit clarifi.org to learn more about our impact.

Position Summary

Clarifi is adding to its dedicated team with a Financial Counselor opening. Our Counselors are central to Clarifi’s mission, as they make a direct impact on the lives of families across the Delaware Valley through our financial empowerment and housing success programs. This role requires working with families across a wide spectrum of financial and housing needs, from making recommendations on debt and banking issues, to preparing clients for first-time homeownership. This person will document and deliver action plans for clients to achieve their goals with consistent follow-up and support. The Financial Counselor must be empathetic and have a passion for social service and financial justice. Proficiency or fluency in other languages, especially Spanish, is a plus.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Financial Counseling, Empowerment, and Case Management

• Identify appropriate Clarifi services and community resources that address a client’s specific needs, then chart a personalized action plan to help the client resolve their issues and move toward financial stability. A client’s journey requires the counselor to build and maintain trusting relationships, engage in timely follow up and documentation of progress, complete applications and address challenges and new goals along the way. The counselor must obtain counseling certifications and maintain counselor certification by taking professional development courses annually.

Data Quality

• Manage confidential client information with a rigorous dedication to organizational security protocols and minimal errors around every aspect of client data. In addition to data entry and maintenance, the counselor must show a client’s progress and experience through reports and narratives, which support program development, partnerships, and performance management.

Community Outreach

• Counselors will attend, communicate, and present about financial stability, the benefit of Clarifi programs, and specific research topics through a variety of platforms, including at community outreach events and group education sessions, and by building relationships with community partners, organizing periodic reports and coordinating resources.

General and Administrative

• Client and Community : Work across the agency with colleagues to resolve client issues; represent Clarifi at workshops and community events as needed; communicate accurately and clearly to internal employees and external partners.
• General : Maintain a flexible work schedule (days, hours and locations); maintain a regular and predictable attendance; perform special projects and/or assignments as directed by management; complete miscellaneous administrative functions; adhere to proper spelling, grammar and articulation

Professional Requirements

• Education & Certifications : College degree or a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience required. Participate in intensive substantive coaching and counseling training in financial management, personal finance, credit, and homeownership. Obtain Credit Certification from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling within 30 days of hire. Additional certifications may be necessary within required timeframes.

Desired Qualities and Competencies

• Commitment to Mission and Core Values. Passion for serving low-income populations and a demonstrated commitment to social justice, various forms of equity, and anti-poverty initiatives. Understanding of the root causes of poverty and systemic inequality.
• Demonstrated Problem-Solving Skills Energized to work in a growth-oriented nonprofit environment. Ability to identify challenges; formulate and implement solutions drawing on the expertise and input of others; can make intuitive leaps to create positive results. The ideal candidate will have a collaborative spirit with a willingness to pitch in to support larger goals.
• Strong interpersonal and one-on-one coaching skills . Ability to form strong, trusting partnerships with clients and to provide financial coaching that is non-judgmental, empathetic, and culturally proficient.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills: Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational, presentation, written and verbal communication skills. Competent in workload management with the ability to understand and develop processes that optimize workflows. Excellent computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Personal qualities . Clarifi requires the highest ethical standards and integrity in service to our clients and partners. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of competency in self-awareness, empathy, flexibility, cultural humility, and an exceptional capacity for team and community building.
• Interest in personal finance and comfort with quantitative calculations . Strong personal finance competencies are not required prior to applying for the role, as training and certification in personal finance will be provided. Candidates should be driven to deepen their financial knowledge.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Physical Demands: There are no special physical demands required by this position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work Environment: The environment for this position is a standard office environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Travel: Position is based in one or more of Clarifi office locations and may require travel in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware to other Clarifi offices and partner locations within agency’s service area. Candidate must be able and willing to travel to locations within agency’s full-service area. Travel may also be required to alternate locations for workshops, and/or seminars.