Financial Coach - Part-Time

FINANCIAL COACH – PART-TIME – GRANT FUNDED
WILBUR WRIGHT COLLEGE

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the largest community college system in Illinois, is made up of seven colleges and five satellite sites, providing more than 70,000 students each year access to a quality, affordable education.

Wilbur Wright College is the subrecipient of a Title V grant through Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). The grant funds a pilot program aimed at improving the academic support structures for low-income, first generation students from diverse backgrounds by expanding services in financial literacy, student support, and transfer pathways.

Recognizing that students often must balance many responsibilities and face significant challenges in meeting their goals, financial coaches funded by this grant take the lead on financial literacy and financial planning initiatives with identified high schools and community stakeholders. These initiatives include organizing activities for parents and community members on financial planning and budgeting for higher education and navigating the financial considerations of starting at two-year institutions and transferring to four-year colleges. They also work one-on-one with low- and moderate-income students, providing services in two distinct areas: (1) financial / personal finance counseling and coaching; and (2) income support / access to supportive services counseling and assistance.

The Financial Coach – Part-Time establishes working relationships and provides one-on-one financial counseling sessions with low- and moderate - income students; coaches and educates students and parents on issues relating to personal finance; and provides students with needed assistance in developing plans of actions to fund their education, and achieve and maintain financial stability. Performs related duties as required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and presents financial literacy presentations with identified high schools and community stakeholders on topics regarding financial planning and budgeting for higher education.
• Provides one-on-one counseling sessions, working with students to help them understand personal finances, establish a basic level of financial literacy, and apply money management techniques to better manage their finances.
• Encourages students to adopt and practice good financial habits, working with them to develop household budgets and strategies to help them live within their means and achieve financial stability.
• Assists students in resolving current financial situations, providing information on available community resources and government agencies to address immediate needs.
• Works with students in completing detailed financial assessments, reviewing their credit reports and FICO credit scores, and educates them on understanding credit, finance charges, and interest rates.
• Assists students in developing strategies to reduce and avoid debt and protect their credit.
• Provides referrals to departments for additional assistance such as the Advising and Transfer Center, Career Services, Wellness Center, and Veterans Centers and Workforce Development.
• Coordinates work efforts with Financial Aid Advisors, Income Support Counselors, and outside social service agencies (e.g. housing, legal aid) to help students obtain needed services and attain goal of financial stability.
• Conducts workshops and information sessions to educate students on various financial management and credit management topics such as budgeting, savings, banking products, credit building and management, housing, identify theft, and other consumer topics.
• Maintains records and prepares reports to document all counseling/coaching sessions and related activities.
• Tracks program participants to assess outcome of financial counseling and success in achieving academic, vocational training, and career advancement goals.
• Attends and participates in trainings and meetings required by funding source grantor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Previous experience in financial or credit counseling or education strongly preferred.
• Bicultural and bilingual preferred.
• Experience working with target population of low- and moderate - income students and their families.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective financial counseling and coaching methods.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate financial workshops and training.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint).

Special Requirements

• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel between Wilbur Wright College and Humboldt Park Vocational Education Center, as needed.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!