Financial educator

About Ariva

MISSION: Our mission is to bring economic justice, opportunity and inclusion to our Bronx neighbors and other underserved communities across New York City.

VISION: We envision a world where all New York City residents experience economic justice, financial inclusion, and the opportunity to build financially empowered and prosperous lives.

We offer free comprehensive financial capabilities services and free income tax assistance at locations around New York City. Information on our projects and programs can be found at

Position Description

As part of the Youth Financial Empowerment Initiative, the Financial Educator will serve a designated school district in the Bronx, working in partnership with schools and communities to deliver 2Gen financial and consumer education workshops to students, their families, and communities. Additionally, the Financial Educator will help to build the capacity of schools and educators to integrate 2Gen financial and consumer education into classroom and school-wide activities. The Financial Educator will also provide one-on-one financial counseling for adults, school staff, and community members using the NYC Financial Empowerment Center Model. Lastly, the Financial Educator will partner with DCWP and local financial institutions to support the availability of in-school banking services at designated public schools. Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position. This job requires some evenings and weekend hours over the course of the year. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Responsibilities

To ensure the successful implementation of the Financial Educators Program at public schools, the Financial Educator will have the role of supporting assigned districts and schools in the integration of financial education and will carry out the following responsibilities:

-Work with District staff, school leadership, teachers, parent coordinators and other school staff to support financial and consumer protection education programming, events, activities, and non-traditional learning opportunities for students in and outside of the classroom, including:

• Attend planning meetings with assigned staff at district offices and schools to identify ideas for programming and activities that promote the integration of financial education in public schools.
• Collaborate with teachers and other support staff at assigned schools to implement strategies that promote traditional and non-traditional learning opportunities for students.
• Support teacher professional development activities to build knowledge and confidence in financial literacy and delivering financial education content.

-Lead the delivery of financial and consumer protection education workshops to public school students, both in and outside the classroom, and their families, including:

• Support teachers, parent coordinators, and other school staff, as well as after-school and out-of-school program providers at assigned schools, with the scheduling of workshops.
• Assist teachers, parent coordinators, and other school staff at assigned schools with the promotion of and recruitment of participants for workshops.
• Lead the delivery of workshops using the DCWP-provided workshop content and curriculum for students and parents in and outside of the classroom and in other settings as requested by the schools and community partners or directed by DCWP.
• Collect data on workshop participants in DCWP designated database, including recording number of workshops, number of participants, conducting workshop assessments and/or surveys, and sharing qualitative insights to inform future workshop development.
• Enter data on workshop participants in DCWP designated database, if needed.

-Promote the Financial Education Resource Hub to support the integration of financial education in and outside of the classroom.

• Assist with the vetting of financial education resources to create a repository of recommended materials and activities on key financial and consumer protection concepts, materials, and resources.
• Assist staff of assigned district(s) and school(s) in using materials in the Hub.
• Support teachers in the integration of financial education in and outside of the classroom.
• Provide feedback and insights on the development and maintenance of content within the Hub.

-Provide free one-on-one financial counseling and coaching sessions to parents, teachers, parent coordinators and other school staff at public schools or anyone who lives or works in the City, who are over eighteen (18) years of age, including:

• Promote financial counseling and coaching services in collaboration with teachers, parent coordinators and other support staff at assigned schools.
• Schedule financial counseling and coaching sessions using the designated client portal.
• Conduct in-person or remote financial counseling and coaching sessions in and outside of public schools or at approved locations.
• May provide financial counseling to students aged sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) with written approval of service delivery to this age group from DCWP.
• Collect and record client data and outcomes in designated database in a timely manner.

-Support the integration of in-school banking, facilitate connections between participating schools and financial institutions, and ensure that financial education workshops create a foundation of knowledge and awareness of the banking system.

• Assist assigned bank or credit union representative with the promotion of in-school banking services.
• Refer students to in-school banking program staff opportunities.
• Support and facilitate banking activities, such as participant enrollment in student accounts offered through in-school banking program.
• Co-lead banking presentations and/or banking workshops with assigned bank or credit union representatives.
• Connect all eligible students and families to opportunities to build financial health and assets, such as the NYC Kids RISE Save for College program and NYC Free Tax Prep for access to poverty-fighting tax credits.

Additional Responsibilities include:

• Maintain ongoing contact with clients to encourage a sustained relationship with the program.
• Protect client privacy in compliance with contract requirements and Ariva’s policies.
• Help unbanked and underbanked clients access safe and affordable bank accounts.
• Help clients with thin credit files establish a credit score and support clients with a credit score to increase their scores.
• Support clients in managing and ultimately reducing their debt, including student loans.
• Provide clients with information and resources about savings for short- and long-term financial goals.
• Connect clients in need with resources and public benefits.
• Participate in workshops and other live streaming events to promote financial counseling.
• Serve as an advocate for financial counseling and build a referral system for clients, providing information to individuals who call in, walk in, or express interest in learning more at community events.
• Serve as lead agency liaison with community partners who host project.
• Develop new community partnerships with stakeholders, including residents, financial institutions, financial services providers, and community-based organizations.
• Promote program integration with Ariva’s free tax preparation program.
• Monitor performance to ensure the project is on target with project goals, aligned with Ariva’s mission and strategy, and compliant with funder, regulatory, and internal requirements.

Core Competencies:

• Desire to work collaboratively with staff, partners, and clients a must.
• Desire and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Experience with lesson planning and classroom management.
• Experience with creating or delivering workshops and educational materials.
• Ability to teach financial skills in one-on-one or group settings
• Strong networking and outreach skills, with the ability to engage community members, recruit participants, and conduct outreach/canvassing activities.
• Proven ability to build and maintain lasting partnerships with community organizations, financial institutions, and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and training facilitation.
• Very well-organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable.
• Computer-literate; comfortable with data management, entry, and reporting.
• Flexible, patient, with a sense of humor and a strong work ethic.
• Fluency in Spanish and English required to serve community members in their preferred language.
• A demonstrated commitment to and experience working with low-income people and in low-income communities.

Education Requirement

• A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two (2) years of full-time work experience with a preferred background in finance, financial education, counseling/coaching, education or social or youth service delivery;
• or Four (4) to eight (8) years of full-time work experience in financial education, counseling/coaching, education or social or youth service delivery.

Salary: $65,000 to 75,000/year. Ariva offers full-time employees subsidized health and dental insurance, generous paid time off and other benefits.

Contact: Please e-mail cover letter and resume to Melissa Toonkel at [email protected]. This posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Ariva, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person