LISC Americorp Financial Coach

Background

IRC’s Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) is a unique Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Loan Fund and subsidiary of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). CEO specializes in making small-dollar consumer and business loans primarily through IRC’s network of offices across the U.S. that serve over 50,000 refugees and immigrants annually. CEO’s loans are integrated with related economic empowerment programs offered by IRC and support the upward mobility of IRC’s diverse yet economically vulnerable clientele.

CEO has partnered with the AmeriCorps Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) on a new national service program to provide financial literacy, financial planning, budgeting, saving, and other financial counseling education to clients — all with an eye toward addressing persistent poverty and helping families build a stronger future. CEO and IRC are recruiting Economic Mobility Corps (EMC) AmeriCorps members to serve as Financial Coaches co-located with IRC offices and integrated into local asset-building programs.

Member Benefits

This role is provided through AmeriCorps and does not constitute direct employment with IRC.

• This AmeriCorps position sponsored by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, with the term lasting 3 months. Compensation and benefits are paid and provided directly by LISC, and include:
• Full time member will serve 450 hours over a term of 3 months
• $9,000 stipend payable by bimonthly direct deposit by LISC
• $1,824 education award to return to school or pay off existing student loan debt upon successful program completion
• CDFI 101 and Credit as an Asset Certificate, as well as training in Financial Coaching during the program

Job Overview

• Financial counseling and coaching involve an ability to engage and motivate clients, a strong understanding of personal finances, and the ability to teach that knowledge to others. The Financial Coach is responsible for assisting clients in developing plans that help them reach their goals and achieve financial stability. Coaches will provide financial literacy, financial planning, budgeting, saving, and other financial counseling education in 1:1 and group settings. Additionally, the Financial Coach may support tax preparation services and will also assist clients in completing applications for targeted loan products including credit-building, education, immigration, and auto loans. The position will be hosted by the IRC in Oakland and will meet monthly with the CEO team.

Major Responsibilities

Community Outreach

• Support development and execution of marketing strategies to recruit new clients to IRC’s financial counseling services; Conduct community outreach and recruitment of new clients to the IRC’s financial counseling and planning services and programs; assist or conduct one-on-one or group orientation sessions for new program clients
• Conduct follow-ups with program clients to help them stay engaged to achieve their goals

Provide one on one financial counseling and coaching

• Assist clients in assessing and resolving current financial challenges, while providing a wide lens on their financial health to shift the approach to proactive financial management
• Develop plans of action and provide tools, resources, and promote accountability to clients to help them meet their goals
• Work with clients to complete a detailed financial assessment, including budgeting and strategies for building credit and net assets
• Understand and collaborate with colleagues providing other services offered by the IRC, such as employment, career development, case management, and education service
• Assist clients set up payments and/or request deferrals for travel loans received by the International Office of Migration(IOM)

Workshop and training delivery

• Develop workshop materials or tailor existing materials to meet the needs of the community. Workshop topics should be relevant to the community, and may include topics such as: budgeting, savings, banking products, credit building, and identity theft.
• Schedule and deliver workshops and trainings
• Collaborate with partners to expand financial literacy support to community members and provide community-based classes

Connection to Financial Products

• Support clients in signing up for low-cost checking and savings accounts and provide ongoing support including online banking setup and connection to money transfer services
• Support clients in applying for credit-building or other consumer loans through CEO or other appropriate, accessible financial institutions in furtherance of client’s financial goals;
• Conduct regular financial health check-ins with participants in CEO’s Credit-Building Ladder program

Housing Support

• Provide rental assistance or application support to find housing
• Help clients apply for rent relief/ eviction cash assistance programs
• Help improve CEO’s new Rent Pre-Payment Program

Outcome tracking

Use Efforts to Outcome (ETO), client management system, to document and reflect client outcomes accurately and promptly.

Complete Family budgets and net worth worksheets for financial counseling clients, as well as recording credit reports.

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

Experience working in a diverse, and non-traditional setting with diverse client base

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Self- starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an overall ability to be clear and concise
• Exceptional organizational skills with proven attention to detail.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Language Skills:

Fluent in English, both spoken and written; knowledge or fluency in a common refugee language (Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Arabic, Somali, Swahili) strongly preferred

Preferred experience & skills:

• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional team structure
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to manage and work through change in a proactive and positive manner.

Working Environment: Standard office work environment, along with some field work, including local travel to employers, client homes and other community-based partners. Virtual work with clients is also to be expected.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.