Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) transforms lives by helping people move out of poverty and provides other organizations with the tools to do the same. As a leading nonprofit innovator that combines program delivery, independent research, and public advocacy, we offer a wide range of rewarding career opportunities. EMPath is committed to recruiting, hiring, and sustaining a diverse workforce. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender expression, sexuality, age, disability or veteran status, are strongly encouraged to apply. We are an EEO/AA/ADA/ADEA employer based in Boston, Massachusetts.

EMPath is a high-performing and innovative organization that achieves its mission through the fundamental values of inclusiveness and diversity, mutual respect, support, and learning.

SALARY: $55,000 – $60,0000

HOURS: Full-time (40 hours); Hybrid work opportunity

POSITION TITLE: Sr. Financial Specialist

SUPERVISOR: Senior Director, Center for Learning & Practice

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES: EMPath is seeking a Sr. Financial Specialist to provide financial coaching services directly to EMPath families and build learning experiences and financial literacy curriculum that increase the skills and knowledge of program participants and staff.

Financial coaching services will be provided using EMPath’s economic mobility coaching model, Mobility Mentoring ®, in two specific ways: (1) A pro-active approach of identifying participants with the highest need through a process called “First Alert” and (2) Referrals from staff across EMPath programs seeking support in helping participants achieve finance-related goals. Referrals will entail staff consultations and joint meetings with the participant and referring staff.

The Sr. Financial Specialist will lead capacity building initiatives in finance by creating a financial literacy curriculum for participants and staff that will be delivered through EMPath’s online learning platform and through online and in-person workshops. To supplement these learning experiences, the Sr. Financial Specialist will provide staff consultations for individualized support in financial topics to equip staff with the language and resources to support their participants.

Essential Duties of the Job:

• Manage a caseload of 15 participants throughout EMPath’s programs by providing one-to-one coaching, goal setting and guidance focused on financial topics to support participants in working toward economic mobility.

• Monitor credit report requests for all participants at EMPath and pull credit reports within 24-hours of initial request

• Conduct detailed assessments, monitor and document participants’ progress according to individual financial plans

• Refer families to community resources including housing, child care, and health care.

• Develop a robust financial literacy curriculum for use in individualized coaching sessions as well as on EMPath’s online learning platform.

• Based on financial literacy curriculum, facilitate specialized workshops to EMPath staff and to members in EMPath’s Global Learning Network (The Economic Mobility Exchange)

• Provide consultation and support to EMPath staff in all programs

• Research and stay proficient in best practices related to coaching clients toward economic mobility.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong commitment to help low-income families who have barriers to employment and housing

• High degree of cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with families from diverse cultural, socio-economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds. Experience working with populations that have experienced trauma and/or crises preferred.

• Knowledge of local communities, urban labor market, and MA workforce development system.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a fast-paced, changing environment

• Strong time management skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.

• Strong computer skills that include data entry and trend analysis, proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite, and creating user-friendly flyers/tip sheets.

• Superior verbal/written English communication skills, including grammatical, editing and proofreading skills

Qualifications:

• At least three years of experience in financial counseling and/or coaching experience, with a strong preference for experience coaching low-income families.

• Knowledge of motivational interviewing strongly preferred.

• Experience creating and facilitating financial literacy curriculum strongly preferred.

• Experience with building and/or managing content on online learning platforms preferred.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions: Requires prolonged sitting, some bending, stooping and stretching. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Work is performed in an office environment.

If you are hired, we will require you to prove that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and are considered fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines) or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.

All offers of employment at EMPath are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check.