Financial Empowerment Center Financial Counse

Financial Empowerment Center Financial Counselor

Position Summary

The Financial Empowerment Center program aims to improve the financial stability of Rochester’s households by providing high-quality, one-on-one financial education and counseling to low-income residents. Financial Empowerment Centers are located in areas with high concentrations of poverty and financial distress. Financial Counselors must be are empathetic, great motivators, and passionate about helping individuals achieve their financial goals. The Financial Counselor position will report directly to the Director of the Financial Empowerment Center within The Housing Council at PathStone.

Essential Functions

Duties shall include, but are not limited to:

Provide individualized financial counseling sessions (including both initial and follow-up sessions) and achieve client outcomes;

Assess client needs and develop individual financial action plans with each client;

Engage in ongoing follow-up with clients;

Make appropriate referrals and integrate other wraparound supports (i.e. benefits, tax preparation) into counseling to achieve greater results;

Follow required protocol and program requirements;

Collect, track and report required data using a client management database;

Participate in initial trainings and ongoing professional development trainings;

Successfully complete and pass counselor training.

Represent PathStone at meetings, conferences and other relevant forums concerned with issues affecting the operation of The Financial Empowerment Center

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Associates degree or higher preferred.

Minimum 3 years of experience of relevant work experience with some background in social service delivery, community engagement/outreach, financial education, or counseling/coaching;

The ideal candidate has particular expertise in one of the following: social work, financial planning, coaching/mentoring, teaching, financial services, or other related fields.

Experience or familiarity with local, state, and federal service programs preferred.

Non-profit experience desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of computers including Outlook, basic Excel, Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint required.

Communication skills including bilingual ability strongly desired.

Strong problem-solving skills to find effective solutions for a variety of issues.

Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills to interact with stakeholders.

Strong written and verbal communication skills which demonstrate the ability to interpret, clarify, and advise on program objectives and tasks.

Attention to detail to ensure applications are accurate and client issues and questions are adequately addressed.

Autonomy to make decisions regarding their own work and client related interactions.

Ability to follow prescribed steps/methods/procedures, understanding the need to make alterations based on the situation.

Must demonstrate ability to review and process information to determine what it means, how it fits together and how to respond to it.

Able to become knowledgeable about credit, debt, and money management; savings and investment options; and safe financial products and services

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Flexible work hours including evenings and weekends.

Indoors in normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes.

Driving may be required for some locations. In these instances, must have reliable transportation.

Ability to walk properties.

Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods.

Must be able to lift 20-25 pounds.

Exposure to diverse communities including low-income neighborhoods.

Transportation Requirement

Position requires automobile, driver’s license and insurance.

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.

Last Updated: 4/17/2024