Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) Coach
Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to provide integrated services through the LMH Financial Opportunity Center which focuses on improving the financial situation for low-to-moderate income families by helping individuals increase earnings, reduce expenses, and make appropriate financial decisions that lead to asset building. The centers provide individuals and families with services across three critical and interconnected areas:
- employment placement, job retention and skill improvement;
- financial coaching and counseling; and
- access to income supports/public benefits
Financial Opportunity Centers employ the following approaches in the implementation of the model and in service delivery:
Implementation
- Three core services offered in a single location
- Intentional bundling of services through program design
- Multidisciplinary case staffing
- Utilization of outcome data and systems to enhance program design and client outcomes
- Collaborative work, peer learning and knowledge sharing
Service Delivery
- Coaching
- Long-term engagement with clients
- Co-designed individual development plans with short-and-long-term goals
All activities must support the Lucas Metropolitan Housing (“LMH”) mission, strategic goals, and objectives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.
- Provides one-on-one services to FOC participants and LMH residents using the integrated service delivery model including assessing financial situations and helping clients develop realistic spending, savings, and debt management plans, improving or building credit, developing emergency savings funds, employment coaching, and building assets (retirement, education, housing, etc.).
- Maintains confidentiality relating to client wages, benefits and other sensitive client financial information. Clients will be members of the public that may or may not be receiving services from LMH.
- Manages outcome tracking system (Salesforce) and documentation requirement for the financial coaching component of FOC. Maintain client files and prepare and submit required reports to the FOC Manager/Director in a timely manner.
- Learns tax preparation functions through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in order to assist clients.
- Works as a member of the cross-functional team providing services for clients/LMH residents enrolled in the FOC, sharing information, participating in team meetings, and helping to track and report progress and outcomes related to FOC operations..
- Promotes LMH programs through presentations to groups. Recruit FOC participants/LMH residents through community forums, events, and door to door outreach. Implement and assist with development of public relations/outreach campaigns of the FOC. Conduct client orientation into FOC programs. Facilitate financial education classes at the FOC and in the community. Serve as a liaison with participating organizations, agencies, and neighborhood groups.
- Performs administrative activities related to Financial Opportunities Center; assists in other administrative functions as needed.
- Develops relationships with Toledo financial institutions and educators in order to encourage more affordable financial products and services for FOC clients/LMH residents.
- Works collaboratively with JOBS PLUS grant staff to support LMH residents on their paths to self-sufficiency.
- Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA/PERRP safety standards that pertain to essential functions and maintains licenses and certifications as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education and/or Experience
A Bachelor’s Degree in business, accounting, finance, public administration, social sciences, or a related field of study is preferred but may be substituted for significant, highly relevant work experience (five (5) years or more) in banking, financial counseling, financial coaching or credit counseling and proven ability to successfully apply financial coaching skills with the target population. Minimum two (2) years’ experience in consumer or field serving low-income populations. Experience with non-profits preferred. Must possess a valid Ohio or Michigan driver’s license, reliable transportation and be insurable under the Authority’s plan and a driving record compatible with NHS insurance company standards.
Technical Skills
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have proficiency in personal computer use and Microsoft Office software and ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks; excellent interpersonal, written and verbal skills. Must be bondable. Ability to organize work, schedule and manage priorities and deadlines. Ability to organize and facilitate meetings involving multiple persons.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile, and prepare work documents, set up and maintain work files. Ability to occasionally lift to 20 lbs. independently. Requires travel between various LMH properties. Travel by automobile with overnight stays may be occasionally required. May required to work outside the standard operating hours to include evening and weekend hours as business needs demand, allowing for schedule flexibility in response to delivering services to FOC Clients.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position generally works on Authority properties, which may cause the employee to experience a range in temperatures and other weather conditions. The noise level may be loud, and the environment may be more hazardous than a standard office environment. This position may be required to work with contractors as well as Authority residents.
