Financial Counselor

Position Description

Title

Financial Counselor

FLSA-Classification

Non-exempt

Salary

$48,000

Reports to

Assistant Director

Location

Millbrook Community Center Program Jobs Plus

Summary

East Side House (ESH), founded in 1891, is a 501(c) (3) organization that has served the South Bronx since 1963. The organization is dedicated to the community and focused on providing resources and opportunities. East Side House has identified that education is the foundation for economic improvement. Our youth education and technology programs teach skills to allow students and clients to become more self-sufficient and independent. As a community resource, the organization also provides services to families and a growing senior population. In 2020 the organization began food distribution as an additional way to provide economic support to the community we serve.

Jobs-Plus is a proven, place-based employment program designed to increase the earnings and employment of working-age residents in designated public housing developments or a cluster of developments. Jobs-Plus - Mill Brook Houses, is operated by East Side House Settlement and based in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. It offers workforce development, financial empowerment services and community building programming to over 3000 residents. With a recent 3-year contract renewal, Jobs-Plus is looking to expand on the services provided to residents since 2013. This expansion will include heightened focus on training and education as well as career advancement services. The Financial Counselor will work closely under the supervision of the Assistant Director.

The Financial Counselor is responsible for managing program data and outcomes for financial services, and assisting participants with navigating the often times complex territory of debt management and credit building.

A successful candidate will display the following characteristics:

• Commitment to mission and goals of East Side House Settlement and Jobs-Plus.
• Strong leadership skills and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to implement and manage short-term and long-term goals with JP staff.
• Flexibility and creativity to navigate program changes based on community needs.
• Skills necessary to interpret and translate contractual goals.
• Evaluate and report on program success (qualitative and quantitative) to funders
• Maintain strong relationship with all stakeholders, including organization leadership, funders, community leaders, etc.

Primary Functions
The Financial Counselor will provide guidance and coaching to participants on how to advocate for themselves and will assist them in taking steps to reach financial goals and empowerment. Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director, the Financial Counselor will assist the participant in determining which work supports may be needed as they re-enter the workforce.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain an active caseload and work towards achieving outcome targets as outlined in program contract deliverableswhich consists of:
  • Conducting one-on-one interviews with Jobs-Plus members to assess their financial position and behaviors.
  • Helping Jobs-Plus members to decrease their debt, increase their savings, increase their credit score and/or establish credit, open safe and affordable bank accounts, and where applicable, obtain appropriate tax credits (namely the Earned Income Tax Credit) and receive the Earned Income Disallowance (EID).
  • Conducting follow-up interviews with Jobs-Plus members to evaluate progress and program impact and to identify new needs.
  • Referring Jobs-Plus members to appropriate partners and supports, tracking progress, and advocating as necessary.
• Oversee and manage financial services related annual events and initiatives such as tax services with ARIVA and Financial Literacy Month
• Conduct outreach within th