POSITION DESCRIPTION

Financial Counselor - Racine

Housing Resources, Inc. (HRI), a growing and successful nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families purchase their own homes, has an immediate opening for a Bilingual Financial Counselor in the City of Racine.

This position is responsible for providing high-quality, professional, one-on-one financial counseling and education for Racine residents through the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). The FEC Financial Counselor will develop a rapport with the individuals they are working with and provide case management and community referrals as necessary to help them become financially independent.

The FEC aims to improve the financial stability and resiliency of Racine residents and is a partnership between Housing Resources, Inc. (HRI) and the City of Racine.

Overall responsibilities would include:

 Conducts one-on-one financial counseling sessions to empower individuals to manage income and expenses, correct credit and reduce or eliminate debt to achieve their financial goals;

 Documents and follows up with counseling sessions to track and further individual client progress;

 Builds rapport with clients to cultivate trust and engagement in counseling sessions

 Researches and maintains information about financial products, services and community resources to provide clients with relevant and up-to-date options;

 Demonstrates patience and persistence supporting clients experiencing financial crisis in a constantly shifting and uncertain situation, particularly those accessing social services for the first time;

 Utilizes and contributes to team’s experience and knowledge base for the benefit of all clients and counselors;

 Coaches clients to communicate with third parties to resolve billing or collection errors, and disputes;

 Builds and maintains peer relationships with FEC network and general community to ensure strong, reciprocal referrals, as many clients have needs that fall outside of FEC scope;

 Inputs client information, activity and progress in the electronic client tracking system(s), at each contact;

 Conducts all sessions, telephone conversations and any contact with clients in a courteous and professional manner, maintaining a customer service focus;

 Responds to messages in a timely manner (within 24-48 hours);

 Participates in training and ongoing professional development; and performs

 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) Certification must be obtained within 3 (three) months of hire.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, business, finance, or related field preferred; or a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience with some background in finance, financial education, counseling/coaching, and/or social service delivery
• Preferred: Bilingual in Spanish
• Preferred: City of Racine residency
• Self-starter with a serious work ethic who can display initiative, work independently, and handle multiple tasks at one time
• Ability to relate to people of varied economic, racial, ethnic & religious backgrounds
• Great organizational, analytical, presentation and listening skills
• Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks and effectively handle a client caseload
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills to work with a diverse group of individuals
• Knowledgeable about credit, debt, and general money management and safe financial products and services
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to use or willingness/capacity to learn a client management database
• Comfortability with remote work applications for service delivery or meetings (e.g. video conferencing and other platforms to communicate remotely)
• Automobile is needed as there is some local travel required

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. Housing Resources Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Weekly schedule:

• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• Hybrid work

Application Question(s):

• Do you live in the City of Racine?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• finance, financial education, coaching, or social service: 3 years (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Racine, WI 53403