Credit / Housing Counselor

Clarifi is a regional nonprofit dedicated to driving financial justice for economically marginalized communities in the Greater Philadelphia region. We believe in creating opportunities for individuals and communities to achieve their financial goals and lead empowered lives. As we continue to expand our impact, we are seeking passionate and dedicated Financial / Housing Counselors to join our team!

As a Financial/Housing Counselor, you will engage with individuals and families across a spectrum of financial activities, including budgeting, credit building, savings, debt reduction, first-time home ownership, mortgage issues, and home equity. Your Responsibilities include discussing and delivering options, making recommendations on debt, credit, assets and banking issues. Additionally, counselors seek to build awareness in communities at risk for predatory products, increase assets to sustain future financial shocks, and perform eligibility screening or referrals for community programs aligned with client goals. The counselor will document and deliver a realistic action plan for clients to achieve their goals with continued support of their changing financial circumstances and goals. Through effective communication, the counselor will help each client understand the role he or she plays in the success of the plan. This role requires an individual with a passion for and commitment to social service, especially for individuals with low income and experiencing financial distress.

Main Responsibilities

Financial and Housing Counseling and Case Management

• Perform budgeting, credit, debt, banking, and asset counseling by evaluating all possible solutions against client goals to chart a personalized course toward financial stability or housing success which empowers the client and resolves their financial need or issue.
• Represent benefits of Clarifi counseling and programs to the client, including effective communication of an individual financial action plan, recommendations, program requirements, and client role and responsibilities necessary for their own success.
• Identify community resources, make appropriate referrals, and integrate other supports into client action plan such as public benefits, legal assistance, and tax preparation to achieve greater results.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients by demonstrating empathy, providing exceptional service and actionable information appropriate to situation. Deliver core elements of a financial plan to families in a way that is professional, culturally proficient, non-judgmental, relevant, and valuable.
• Engage in timely follow up with clients post-counseling to complete applications as needed, evaluate effectiveness of action plan and client’s success in following the recommendations provided by the counselor, as well as reacting to challenges that impact ability to achieve desired outcomes.
• Document client success through client stories (outcomes achieved) or client challenges (barriers) to support program development and inform improved service methods.
• Mentoring counselors and navigators to share knowledge and improve the overall level of service clients receive.
• Proactively manage workload, calendar and client appointments to help meet the goals of the organization and serve the client effectively.
• Maintain counselor certification by earning, document and tracking required number of Professional Development Units annually through counseling, continuing education, and workshops or seminars.

Data Quality

• Manage confidential client information with a rigorous dedication to organizational security protocols around every aspect of client data. Activities associated with the management of client data include the creation and maintenance of client files, electronic data entry activities, direct communication with clients, and management of survey data.
• Create and maintain accurate client information in client management systems and document management tools, internal and external to the agency.
• Perform program related data entry with minimal errors. Ensure that data collected and input within applicable systems meets agency, funder and regulatory standards.
• Conduct quality management tasks in client and funder management databases in a timely manner.
• Identify and implement process changes to streamline data management efforts.
• Share client and program information with community partners through appropriate mechanisms to advance client service and program evaluation.
• Document client experience through action plans, case notes and client stories to support program development and performance management

Special Skills

• Counselors expand their role by developing skills that enable additional roles for delivering service to clients as appropriate
• Perform intake sessions and attend outreach events in community partner locations to promote financial stability and communicate the benefit of various Clarifi programs to potential clients
• Act as partner liaison by building relationships with community partners, organizing periodic reports and coordinating resources to ensure successful events and other program activities
• Lead subject matter by attending training and researching topics in specific areas of consumer finance and deliver information to raise support development of colleagues
• Deliver group education sessions to raise awareness of consumer finance topics with attendees and support partner organizations efforts to raise awareness of financial capability within their organization

General and Administrative

• Work collaboratively across the agency and with colleagues to resolve client issues.
• As required support office location operations by coordinating maintenance, and miscellaneous administrative functions.
• Represent Clarifi at workshops and community events as needed.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule, including days, hours and locations.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Compose correspondence and presentations with proper spelling, grammar, and articulation.
• Communicate accurately and clearly to internal employees and external partners.
• Perform special projects and/or assignments as directed by management.

Professional Knowledge And Competencies

• Education & Certifications: College degree or a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience is 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 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling may be necessary within required timeframes.
• Cultural Humility : Demonstrates the values of diversity and inclusion; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates a diverse team thriving within the organization. Approach all interactions with clients with an open mind and a commitment to understanding their unique needs and experiences.
• Problem-Solving : Demonstrates the ability to identify challenges; formulate and implement solutions drawing on the expertise and input of others; can make intuitive leaps to create positive results.

Qualities & Characteristics

• Commitment to Mission: Passion for serving low-income populations and strong and demonstrated commitment to social justice, various forms of equity, and anti-poverty initiatives. Understanding of the root causes of poverty and systems and structures that perpetuate inequality.
• Personal qualities: Clarifi requires the highest ethical standards and integrity in service to our clients and partners. The ideal candidate will possess maturity, self-awareness, empathy, flexibility, cultural humility, and an exceptional capacity for team and community building.
• 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.
• Interest in personal finance: Strong personal finance competencies are preferred, but not required. Intensive training and certification in personal finance will be provided. Interest in learning about, and building proficiency in, personal and consumer finance.

Additional Information

• Projected Salary $46,725. Clarifi does offer a bilingual incentive for Spanish-speaking employees.
• All full-time employees receive 19 paid days off during their first year of employment, in addition to 10 company-paid holidays per year
• Clarifi employees can start contributing to a 403b right away! We also have a 401(a) Profit Sharing Plan. After one year of employment we make a monthly contribution to eligible employee’s Profit Sharing Account equivalent to 5% of their monthly gross compensation.
• Need to reduce your student loan debt? Clarifi is a qualified employer under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which means that you may be able to have a portion of your federal student loans forgiven after meeting certain eligibility requirements of the PSLF program.
• Planning to grow your family? Clarifi offers paid Maternity and Paternity benefits.
• Continuous learners can get their classroom fix in a couple of different ways. GP team members are eligible for up to $2,500 in tuition reimbursement per year.

Clarifi reserves the right to change this description at any time. Clarifi practices the concept of equal employment opportunity with respect to hiring, promotions, transfers, pay, discipline, fringe benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. No individual will be discriminated against, and no employment decisions will be made, on the basis of an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, protected disability, marital status, familial status, veteran status, height, weight or citizenship.