Ariva seeks a high-energy, self-directed Financial Counselor for an exciting project that offers free and comprehensive financial counseling to New Yorkers in the Bronx and other underserved communities in New York City. The Financial Counselor will help low and moderate-income New Yorkers strengthen their financial stability by assisting them in creating household budgets, improving credit, reducing debt, increasing savings, accessing affordable and safe financial products and services, and providing a good understanding of the US financial system. Additionally, this position will support the program’s outreach and client engagement at community events. This job involves frequent local travel to sites around the Bronx and other communities in New York City and requires some evenings and weekend hours over the course of the year. Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position. All staff must be vaccinated and follow our health and safety procedures in our offices.
Responsibilities
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- Provide individualized one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to low-and moderate-income clients.
- Maintain ongoing contact with clients to encourage a sustained relationship with the program.
- Connect Ariva’s free tax preparation clients with financial counseling and asset building opportunities.
- Enter client data in a detailed, timely, and accurate manner in client management system.
- Protect client privacy in compliance with contract requirements and Ariva’s policies.
- Help unbanked and underbanked clients access safe and affordable bank accounts.
- Help clients with thin credit files establish a credit score and support clients with a credit score to increase their scores.
- Support clients in managing and ultimately reducing their debt, including student loans.
- Provide clients with information and resources about savings for short- and long-term financial goals.
- Connect clients in-need with resources and emergency benefits.
- Connect clients with Ariva’s free tax preparation services and ITIN filing.
- Participate in workshops and other live streaming events to promote financial counseling.
- Serve as an advocate for financial counseling and build a referral system for clients, providing information to individuals who call in, walk in, or express interest in learning more at community events.
Core Competencies:
- Bilingual English and Spanish.
- Cultural competency to work with immigrant communities.
- Well-organized, computer-literate, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfortable with data management and data entry.
- Flexible, patient, with a sense of humor and a strong work ethic.
- Genuine interest in financial capability programs for low-income communities.
- Desire to work collaboratively with staff, partners, and clients a must.
In addition to the above competencies, any of the additional skills and experience listed below are desirable:
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- Experience with financial counseling and adult education and familiarity with consumer banking products a plus.
- Experience working with recently arrived immigrant communities.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Direct experience with financial counseling is not required, training will be offered to the right candidate.
Salary: $42,500 to 47,500/year. Ariva offers full-time employees subsidized health and dental insurance, generous paid time off and other benefits.
Contact: Please e-mail cover letter and resume to Adelaida Morin at amorin@ariva.org. This posting will remain open through October 15, 2023.