Job Description

Financial Coach

The Financial Coach is responsible for guiding participants in improving their overall financial health and achieving financial stability. Following the National Industry Standard of Financial Capability and HUD guidelines, the Financial Coach helps participants reach specific financial goals, such as maintaining a budget, improving credit scores, increasing savings, applying for public benefits or utility assistance, and smart money management techniques. The Financial Coach provides a financial assessment, assists in creating a financial plan, and conducts follow-up as specified in the participant service plan and as needed by funder requirements. The Financial Coach uses their knowledge of personal finance to guide clients towards their goals, such as maximizing income, mindful spending, saving, borrowing and protecting, financial products and services, credit, investing and insurance.

This position reports to the Housing Counseling Manager. This is an in-person position, with work conducted at Congreso's main office and occasionally in the community. Work location is subject to change based on program needs.

Congreso is committed to attracting and retaining candidates who have a passion for their work and will serve as ambassadors of the agency's mission, values, and DEI&B vision. We encourage all qualified individuals, including those of diverse backgrounds, differently abled, LGBTQ+, and women to apply. Congreso is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Essential Functions

• Represents Congreso's mission, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and will be an ambassador of our work.
• Provides financial coaching services in accordance with the National Industry Standard of Financial Capability and HUD guidelines.
• Maintains a mixed caseload of clients in need of utility assistance, credit building, debt reduction strategy, or clients enrolled in other Congreso programs who have fell behind on monthly bills.
• Conducts initial client intake, including a financial assessment, financial plan, and service plan.
• Retrieves and reviews client credit reports.
• Provides on-going client follow-up to track goal progress and provides additional guidance and resources.
• Provides updates to the program leadership on client caseload, including progress towards goals, financial risks, and achievements.
• Refers clients to internal programs and external service agencies, community organizations, as appropriate, to link clients to existing resources.
• Ensures prompt communication with internal program staff, to provide updates on client status and goals and promote collaboration for holistic, wrap-around services.
• Records each service and contact with clients into the funder's client management system and Congreso's internal database, according to program standards.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date client files.
• Participates with program leadership, in preparing reports or proposals to funders and developing and/or refining data collection systems.
• Collaborates with other programs at Congreso to cross-enroll clients into multiple services and create a pathway for clients to achieve economic stability and self-sufficiency.
• Participates in all PCM specific trainings, quality circles, and other forums, and applies the tools and approaches outlined in the PCM framework within all service delivery.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Basic understanding of Congreso's mission, values, DEI&B vision, Mission2Impact, Primary Client Model, programs, and services.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the community needs and demographics.
• Ability to understand, acknowledge, and assess client needs to provide a timely, trauma informed approach in service.
• Ensures the appropriate handling of sensitive information and understanding for issues such as confidentiality, domestic abuse, child abuse, and mandated reporter requirements.
• Adheres to all Congreso, departmental, programmatic, and security policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Attends all Congreso trainings and in-services as required, including relevant professional groups to maintain professional, requisite knowledge and licensure.
• Attends, participates, and facilitates relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.
• Ability to effectively use standard office equipment, including a variety of common software programs such as Office365, UNIDAD, and other customized databases.
• Follows through on assignments, works in a timely manner, within established deadlines, and completes special projects specific to the function of the department, as needed or as directed by supervisor.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups, in a compassionate, courteous, and respectful manner that fosters an inclusive environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including effective and respectful communication with individuals and groups.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) written and verbal skills required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Qualifications

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED/HISET required. Associate's degree a plus.

Minimum Experience:

2-3 years' experience direct experience with financial coaching, housing counseling, or related field, required.

Demonstrated experience in personal finance, specifically related to visioning/goal setting, maximizing income, spending, saving, borrowing and protecting, financial products and services, credit, investing and insurance, required.

Certification/License:

Must become Nationally Certified in Financial Capability, Homeownership and Foreclosure to meet the National Industry Standards within 6 months of hire.

Must pass the HUD Housing Counseling Certification Exam within 6 months of hire.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs