Better is Possible.
Financial Solutions Counselor (32 Hours a week) Located in Eau Claire, WI
FamilyMeans, a multi-service non-profit agency based in Stillwater, MN is seeking a full-time , 32 hour a week, Financial Counselor for the Financial Solutions office in Eau Claire, WI. The person in this position will assist indebted and/or credit-challenged consumers in understanding their financial circumstances and will provide options for improved budgeting, financial management, housing and credit. The position allows for 1 day a week the employee can work from their home office.
Applicant will develop budgets, debt repayment plans and action plans, while working with clients in-person, online, virtually & on the telephone.
Job Purpose:
The purpose of this position is to assist indebted and/or credit-challenged consumers in understanding their financial circumstances and options for improved budgeting, financial management, housing and credit. A Counselor assesses each client’s current situation, as well as identifies their unique goals, and illustrates opportunities utilizing specific software, educational materials, referrals and strategies to motivate and empower clients to take steps toward an improved financial future. Counselors advise clients regarding the benefits of repaying unsecured debts through the Debt Management Program and encourage participation, where appropriate.
The counselor’s task is to ensure that each client feels heard, served, and helped upon the close of their session.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Counselor may feel challenged to provide quality, comprehensive and holistic counseling on multiple topics in a limited amount of time. Gathering sufficient details while building rapport and trust around personal financial information to encourage & motivate the client can also be challenging. Counselor must remain positive and hopeful, open-minded and creative while brainstorming solutions with each client, and present them with professional guidance and options, even if the financial situation seems repetitive.
1. Conduct a holistic financial review and provide a variety of options for clients seeking to improve their financial situation, educate clients on money management.
· Meet with clients in-person, over the telephone, virtually and through email
· Provide written advice, resources and referrals, as appropriate
· Administer & promote completion of satisfaction surveys
2. Recommend and promote the benefits of the Debt Management Program, when appropriate.
· Calculate payment plan options and review payout forecast & savings comparisons
· Prepare paperwork to originate a debt management program
3. Understand Credit Reports & Provide Guidance
Utilize software, training materials & handouts to assist consumers to improve
their knowledge of their credit report
Provide written advice & referrals specific to consumer’s situation
Provide suggestions & strategies to improve the consumer’s score
4. Complete training & required certifications related to counseling and debt management programs as required by the NFCC. Complete certification process through the NFCC to become a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor. Earn & document continuing Professional Development Units (PDU’s) for re-certification in a timely manner.
5. Conduct Education/Community Outreach. Present educational courses both in-person and virtually in surrounding communities/program service area and participate in community meetings and events, upon request.
Participate in department, program, and agency meetings and development opportunities as well as NFCC initiatives.
1. Develop and maintain sensitivity to employee diversity in the workplace. Behave in ways that demonstrate respectful treatment of other employees and clients. Develop cultural competence related to the services provided by the agency.
2. Participate in the Peer/Case Review quality assurance activities, as assigned by Manager.
3. As with all FamilyMeans staff positions, this position is responsible for helping ensure volunteers and interns have an exemplary experience during all interactions with FamilyMeans and is expected to consistently maintain a high level of customer service to all guests, clients, and fellow team members.
An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, communication, sales or extensive experience in a related field is required. The incumbent must obtain certification as a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling within 3 months of the date of hire.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Strong math and calculator skills are required
· Possess emotional intelligence/empathy skills necessary to quickly build trust with client
· Strong problem-solving and creative thinking skills
· Ability to guide, motivate and sustain clients
· Strong communication ability and “customer service” orientation
· Ability to work independently, possibly in a satellite office setting
· Read, write and communicate in-person, through email and over the telephone
Preferred Qualifications:
A new incumbent in this position will ideally have one to two years’ experience in the financial industry.
As many of our clients come to us discouraged and stressed about their financial situations, we require that our counselors have a non-judgmental, optimistic, and hopeful demeanor to best serve and encourage our clients.
Physical and Mental Demands:
Physical and Mental Demands Statement: The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Working Environment:
This position requires the incumbent to work in an enclosed office, to utilize the telephone using a telephone headset or speaker phone as well as extensive email monitoring and communication. The incumbent must also:
· Read and write extensively.
· Perform keyboarding for extended periods of time.
· Communicate verbally. Speaking and hearing make up a significant amount of time each day, including using the telephone
Working Environment Statement: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.
Please submit cover letter and resume to Holland Locke, 1875 Northwestern Ave., Stillwater, MN 55082 or at hlocke@familymeans.org. An employment application can be downloaded, printed and submitted at the time of applying.