Financial Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger community. In all aspects of our work, we strive for the highest ethical and performance standards and are guided by the belief that people are to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their present situation or past experiences.

Across our 60+ locations, we provide programs in a variety of service areas, including workforce development, children, youth, families, seniors and homeless prevention.

The BronxWorks Workforce Development Program was created to empowering your career journey. Your skills, your future, our mission.

Under the direction of the Program Director, the financial counselors will help consumers set personal financial goals and develop strategies to achieve those goals, in addition to receiving help accessing safe and affordable financial services, building assets, navigating the often times complex territory of debt management and credit building, and addressing financial emergencies. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Financial counseling of New Yorkers with various income levels, helping them achieve financial stability and mobility; measuring impact with specific weekly, quarterly and yearly goals.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information and provide administrative support by maintaining client records, inputting data in multiple databases, arranging for client appointments, generating status reports and notifying clients of meeting dates.
• Provide guidance and support to junior Financial Counselors to ensure competence, quality service and efficient data recording.
• Provide assistance as needed to the program director and or program manager to ensure efficiency and quality program delivery.
• In collaboration with the director and manager, lead outreach and general marketing to the community regarding OFE Financial Fitness and other BronxWorks programs and services.
• Flexible work hours, including some evenings and weekends will be required of this position.
• Duties will be required to be performed at various locations as determined by the organization.

EMPLOYMENT 

• Assist clients with complex personal finance issues, including legal aspects, such as wage garnishments, judgments, bankruptcies, etc.
• Assists clients in understanding their financial capability including credit report analysis, budget, savings and action plan preparation.
• Conduct client intakes and individual counseling/education.
• Conduct/coordinate group education and informational seminars utilizing PowerPoint presentations.
• Respond to client inquiries, monitor progress of participants and assist participants to understand affordability and non-delinquency issues. Provide early intervention as needed.

Interacts with: Department Director, Program Director, Financial Counselors, Junior Financial Counselors, etc. 

Preferred Qualities:

• Commitment to helping social empowerment and economic development
• Genuine passion for service and working with the Bronx community
• Client focus and adaptability to different personality types
• Genuine passion about money is essential, although advanced knowledge on topics may be learned on the job
• Independent self-starter with strong teamwork abilities, and creativity in your approaches to working with people. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Prior work experience with low-income communities
• Financial fitness counseling experience; preferred (you must be committed to taking a CUNY Personal Finance course, as mandated by NYC’s Office of Financial Empowerment)
• A self-starter, engaging personality, highly organized and skilled at documentation and data entry. 
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines. 
• Proficiency with web-based data bases and excel are a strong plus. 
• Bi-lingual English and Spanish language (or other language) proficiency is preferred. 
• Strong oral and written communication, time management, and organizational skills are necessary.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other standard business technology is required. 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to use a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to climb five flights of stairs, if required to conduct home visits and/or fieldwork.
• Ability to bend and retrieve objects and/or documents.
• Ability to travel in the boroughs of New York City and its adjacent counties via public transportation.
• Ability to travel for a minimum of 1 mile within a reasonable amount of time and in all types of weather, including inclement weather, if required to conduct home visits and/or field work.

BronxWorks seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. BronxWorks is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. This commitment applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and employee development, placement, promotion, demotion, upgrading, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or localblaw. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.