Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Tacoma, WA

As part of the Sound Outreach team, financial counselors work to fight poverty by blending social and financial services to economically vulnerable households in Pierce County, Washington. This position is responsible for providing financial education and coaching. You will work to help clients increase income, decrease expenses, build credit, and reduce debt so they can better achieve their financial goals.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Starting salary range: $46,000-56,000/year, dependent on qualifications.

Benefits (equivalent of about 30% of salary includes comprehensive health care package, matching 403b, vacation/sick days (PTO), and 10 paid holidays.

Financial Counselor

As part of the Sound Outreach team, financial counselors work to fight poverty by blending social and financial services to economically vulnerable households in Pierce County, Washington. This position is responsible for providing financial education and coaching. You will work to help clients increase income, decrease expenses, build credit, and reduce debt so they can better achieve their financial goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely as a team with employment coach to help clients meet financial and employment goals.
• Establish a baseline with each client including budget, credit report review, financial health assessment and balance sheet.
• Provide one-on-one financial counseling sessions to improve credit scores and enable clients to access traditional banking products.
• Create long term relationships with clients to affect behavior change and mentorship.
• Refer clients to other community resources as needed.
• Perform outreach at events and with partner agencies to raise awareness of Sound Outreach’s services.
• Teach classes and lead workshops on financial education, budgeting, and other topics.
• Maintain complete and accurate client records through data entry and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE / SKILLS

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for empowerment through financial counseling and education.
• Familiarity with the disciplines of financial education, coaching, and counseling.
• The ability to learn and build relationships quickly with community service organizations.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to problem solve and to pro-actively seek solutions.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Three years of relevant professional experience.
• Willingness to complete Accredited Financial Counselor exam after probationary period.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE / SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, finance, social work, related subject, or experience that matches the education preference.
• Current Accredited Financial Counselor certification preferred.
• Knowledge of Puget Sound community service organizations preferred.

WHO WE ARE

OUR TEAM

Our ability to deliver outstanding results for our clients start with our team of smart, capable, financial counselors, employment coaches, and program managers.

As unique as we are as individuals, we share a mutual passion for Pierce and King Counties and doing excellent work for our clients and community partners.

OUR MISSION
Sound Outreach provides compassionate guidance and beneficial tools for individuals and communities to move from financial insecurity to financial wellness and prosperity.

OUR VISION

Financially knowledgeable and secure Pierce County households with the ability and confidence to grow wealth and pass it along to the next generation.

OUR VALUES

Economic Justice – Trust – Innovation – Collaboration

Sound Outreach is an equal opportunity employer and we strive to reflect the wide-ranging diversity of the Pierce County community we serve. We recognize, respect and work to foster a culture of diversity and celebrate our employees’ multiple identities, including age, color, race and ethnicity, gender identity or expression, language, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and veteran status. We strongly encourage those who share these values, particularly candidates of color and those from other underrepresented groups, to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,000.00 - $56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tacoma, WA 98405: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person