Financial Assistance Specialist

Job Title: Financial Assistance Specialist (Levels I–III), Financial Assistance Supervisor

Department: Family Support Services
Reports To: Manager, Homelessness Prevention
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

Position Summary

The Financial Assistance Specialist supports the mission of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) by preventing homelessness and promoting housing stability through financial assistance, application processing, data management, case coordination, and team collaboration.

This role works directly with guests, staff, volunteers, Vincentians, landlords, and community partners to process rental, mortgage, and utility assistance applications while ensuring compliance with grant requirements. The position also coordinates non-financial housing supports, manages data integrity in the Uplift system, and ensures excellent customer service.

Depending on level and experience, this position may carry supervisory or specialized responsibilities including training, mentoring, auditing files, processing payments, volunteer supervision, engaging in quality control support, and supporting grant compliance.

Bilingual Spanish/English skills are strongly preferred to support Spanish-speaking guests accessing services through Family Support Services or Family Evening Meal (FEM).

All positions at SVdP are expected to serve as ambassadors of the Society’s values, promoting respect, dignity, service, and a Culture of Philanthropy and Invitation.

Core Responsibilities

Guest Services & Application Processing

• Interview guests, assess needs, and determine eligibility for rental, mortgage, and utility assistance.
• Review and process financial assistance applications in compliance with specific grant requirements.
• Request, review, and approve required documentation from guests and vendors.
• Communicate and negotiate with landlords regarding rent payments, eviction proceedings, writ removal, and late fees.
• Provide referrals to community agencies and SVdP Conferences.
• Assist guests with technology access and troubleshooting to complete grant applications.
• Support housing follow-up processes at 3, 6, and 12 months, as applicable.

Team Collaboration 

• Collaborate with Case Managers, Social Workers, Financial Assistance Team, and Vincentians.
• Liaise with Conferences to secure funding or co-funding for applications.
• Create and support a positive and supportive work environment.
• Participate in decision-making to approve, assign, or decline assistance requests.

Volunteer Engagement & Organizational Culture

• Welcome, train, support, and appreciate volunteers and interns, helping them to feel valued and supported.
• Model and promote SVdP’s Culture of Philanthropy and Culture of Invitation.
• Collaborate across departments to strengthen community impact.

Skills & Abilities Required

• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to read, comprehend, speak and write clearly in English.
• Basic computer skills, including navigating the internet, using Microsoft Outlook, ability to learn and use database systems.
• Time management skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities in demanding environments.
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive engagement skills.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to remain calm during crisis situations.
• Commitment to SVdP’s mission and service values.

Minimum Hiring Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Associate degree in related field preferred (for advanced levels)
• At least six months working in social services, patient care, or related customer service field
• Experience working with vulnerable populations strongly preferred
• Bilingual Spanish/English required 

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer work.
• Ability to lift 20 pounds occasionally to manage office supplies and equipment.

Levels & Experience Expectations

Level I (starting $20/hour): General professionalism (Entry/Familiarity)

• Learns and demonstrates good customer service skills.
• Learns and uses Uplift and other relevant data systems.
• Learns Conferences systems
• Meet with new guests at Family Evening Meal (4-6pm) to provide assistance and/or resources as needed.
• Learns community resources
• Engages with volunteers with appreciation and support. Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.
• Learns grant requirements and processes
• Demonstrates ability to perform basic tasks and proper processing of applications with minimal mistakes. Mastery of these skills within 6 months – 1 year.
• Obtains / passes all required training.
• Demonstrates flexibility, willingness to learn, change, and grow. Helpful attitude.

Level II (starting $22/hour): Understanding Culture & Demonstrating Proactivity (Proficiency & Experience)

• Minimum 1 year experience demonstrating Level I skills, & average score of at least 2.0 on skills checklist.
• Strong knowledge of community resources and Conference systems.
• Engages with, appreciates, trains, supports volunteers. Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.
• Strong knowledge of grant requirements and processes
• Demonstrates understanding of SVdP culture, including Program Principles
• Practices quality improvement by bringing ideas and solutions to challenges.
• Seeks out extra training without being asked.

Level III (starting $24/hour): Leadership Readiness (Comfortable training others) 

• Minimum 1 year of experience demonstrating Level 2 skills, and average score of at least 2.5 on skills checklist.
• Strong knowledge of grant requirements and processes, with ability to train others
• Advanced knowledge of community resources, with experience liaising with funding partners and Conferences.
• Supports volunteer engagement: engages with, appreciates, trains, supervises volunteers. Works to bring in new volunteers. Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.
• Models cross-departmental collaboration, and regularly models SVdP Program Principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with little to no misunderstandings as a result of communication
• Minimal mistakes with technology, project, and administrative details; proven attention to detail
• Advanced negotiation skills.

Financial Assistance Supervisor (equivalent to Financial Assistance Specialist IV)

(starting $25/hour): Oversight (Guidance & Mentorship)

• Minimum 1 year of experience demonstrating Level 3 skills, and average score of 3 on skills checklist.
• Decision making, especially in the absence of program manager
• Proactively solves problems & resolves conflicts
• Advanced knowledge of grant requirements and processes, with ability to train others
• Primary liaison with and trainer for Conferences.
• Manages volunteer engagement: engages with, appreciates, trains, supervises volunteers. Works to bring in new volunteers. Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.