Supervising Financial Counselor

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.

Job description

NYLAG's Financial Empowerment and Advocacy Unit (FEAU) was established in 2009 and serves a wide range of clients. FEAU provides services at NYLAG’s office and community-based intake sites throughout New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, including via our work with the Office of Financial Empowerment, UJA Federation of NY, and the Human Resources Administration.

The Supervising Financial counselor will oversee program operations including staff supervision, project management, strategic partnerships and lead reporting and special initiatives. This role includes supervision of Financial Educators working in NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) as part of the Youth Financial Empowerment Initiative, in partnership with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). The Supervising Financial counselor may also provide financial counseling and coaching as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Train, mentor, and supervise a team of 4-5 financial counselors.
• Work alongside the leadership team of FEAU to identify areas of professional development and trainings to support learning and growth across the FEAU unit.
• In partnership with the Director, oversee the development and implementation of a new project of financial educators embedded in schools systems to expand access to financial literacy, empowerment, and education for youth, their families, and school providers;
• Lead communications with project partners, districts and schools to meet performance goals, reporting requirements and timely attainment of deliverables for this project.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with assigned districts and key stakeholders, including students, families, educators, school leadership, NYCPS central, and DCWP.
• Strengthen strategic referral networks, including NYC Free Tax Prep, the Consumer Services Unit within DCWP’s General Counsel Division, and vetted legal service providers.
• Identify and facilitate community partnerships that connect families to complementary services such as afterschool programs, DYCD’s Summer Youth Employment Program, ACS, HRA’s Office of Child Support Services, housing, food and health insurance assistance.
• The Supervisor will work with the Director to identify and disseminate information regarding changes and trends in the field.
• Provide mentorship, supervision, and coverage to ensure seamless delivery of services.
• Work in partnership with other units and teams across NYLAGs, as well as volunteers and interns, to respond to intersecting needs that clients may face.
• Engage in outreach, community events, and some one-to-one financial counseling services.

Qualifications

NYLAG seeks a highly motivated and organized financial counselor with either (i) a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four (4) years of full-time work experience as a financial counselor, with preferred background in finance, financial education, counseling/coaching, or social service delivery; or (ii) six (6) to ten (10) years of full-time work experience in financial education, counseling/coaching, or social or youth service delivery and an additional year of supervisory or management experience overseeing financial counseling programs.

Candidates must have successfully completed the NYC “Personal and Consumer Finance Training” or obtained an Accredited Financial Counselor Certification or a Certified Financial Planner Designation.

In addition, successful candidates will have experience with reporting, project management and analysis, and demonstrated capacity in working independently.

A commitment to ongoing learning and growth, for themselves and for the members of their team, is essential, including staying abreast of developments in the field and the political dynamics that affect our clients and communities.

Demonstrated knowledge of the Financial Empowerment Centers (FEC) programs and proficiency in FEMS data tracking systems.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:

☒ Managerial

Salary Range:

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $71,225 and $82,713.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

This position involves working directly with youth and may include interaction with minors. As such, candidates must successfully pass a background check and meet all clearance requirements established by both the partner site and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD).

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.