Job Summary

Provides high-quality financial counseling and coaching services as assigned to clients based on specific needs to assist in obtaining an achievable budget, savings habits, access to banking systems, and debt reduction. The Financial Empowerment Counselor conducts individual counseling, goal setting, financial education, budgeting, and credit counseling to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services to participants.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Gather information from clients and assess in the best ways possible to help make solid decisions in improving or stabilizing each client’s financial situation which includes but not limited to security in housing, food, childcare, work participation, or transportation.
2. Assess client needs and assists in identifying solutions to specific savings plans and credit needs through a variety of program options within a responsible period of time.  
3. Develop a success plan with each client that identifies specific needs/goals, the steps necessary to meet the goals, and the timeframes to attain those goals.
4. Maintain confidentiality of client information as well as the official records/documents to  ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and agency protocols.
5. Maintain accurate and timely client files with necessary data to track progress and contribute to aggregate service data on demographics, needs, and accomplishments for reporting purposes.
6. Assist departmental management to secure program quality controls, to analyze data and prepare various reports to LUL senior management, and stakeholders.
7. Audit files to ensure compliance with the current regulations ensuring CHFE and stakeholder policies are followed.
8. Refer interested clients to homebuyer and rental education, foreclosure intervention or  budget and credit workshops both in person and using telecommunications to promote increased awareness of the Louisville Urban League and other partner providers using approved referral methods.
9. Meet all assigned performance standards and requirements for stakeholder contracts and grants.

Other duties as assigned:  The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position.  The Counselor may perform other job-related tasks not specifically presented in this job description. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

To be successful the incumbent should, at a minimum, possess skills, knowledge or abilities in the following:

• Must attain required credentialing within a three month period of hiring which is supported by training and on-site supervision.  
• Demonstrates ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions and recommendations to the CHFE Chief.
• Has the proven ability to facilitate and lead effective group education sessions and to deliver high-energy presentations.
• Able, as situations occur, to work from a distancing location and/or at the Louisville Urban League, or assigned satellite locations. 
• Processes an understanding of credit, savings, and personal budgeting.
• Must have excellent presentation skills and strong business communication skills; written and oral.
• Have excellent social skills with an ability to quickly build rapport with residents, clients, partners and the general public.
• Has a background in case notes or similar documentation and is extremely organized.
• Possesses strong working knowledge of Google products (Docs, Calendar, Drive) as well as experience with a client management system (CMS) / database.
• Is team-oriented and has the ability to think strategically with other staff.
• Must be highly motivated, goal oriented and bilingual is a plus.
• Punctuality is a must and willing to work as needed.
• Occasional out-of-town travel and ability to work some nights/weekends.
• A valid driver’s license is required and you are willing to use your own automobile.

• Valid proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, preferred.

 

Education and/or Experience

• Associate’s degree or two years of college in Business, Social Work or related field and three years of credit or savings counseling preferred.
• Financial empowerment credentials preferred.
• One or more years in counseling or in financial services is a plus.
• Knowledge/experience in banking, legal, personal money management or credit repair is a plus.