Financial Counselor (Full-time, Grant-funded) Gateway to Innovation

Position Vacancy Notice

Financial Counselor (Full-time, Grant-funded)

Gateway to Innovation

Reposting date: October 12, 2022

College Overview

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is an award-winning, comprehensive urban college serving one of the most historic and ethnically diverse areas of the United States. HCCC students were born in 119 countries and speak 29 different languages. The diversity and the multitude of our community’s cultures, life experiences, skills and aspirations, are the very values and traits that empower us to be productive and caring members of our society.

HCCC embodies an unwavering commitment to student success and an intentional focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2019, the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (PACDEI) was instituted to develop new levels of understanding and access and advance the College’s commitment to transparency and inclusion. We are proud of the differences we share, which are the foundation for the life changing and transformational education we offer and the social mobility we provide to the communities we serve.

HCCC has three campuses located just minutes from Manhattan: the Journal Square campus in Jersey City and North Hudson Campus in Union City are adjacent to vital transportation hubs; the Secaucus campus has abundant parking. Fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the College offers courses and classes in a wide variety of disciplines to the people and businesses of Hudson County, one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the United States. The College was recognized with the 2012 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Northeast Regional Equity Award, was one of just five finalists in the U.S. for the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Student Success Award, and was presented with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s Good Neighbor Awards in 2009 for the Culinary Conference Center, in 2012 for the North Hudson Campus, and in 2015 for the award-winning Gabert Library. In 2016 the Gabert Library was one of three academic libraries in the United States to receive the Excellence in Academic Libraries Award from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), and in 2019 the Tutoring Center received the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award for Two-Year Institutions. In 2019, the College joined Achieving the Dream as part of its expanding effort toward continuous improvement in student success.

HCCC has partnerships with every major four-year college and university in the greater New Jersey-New York area and beyond, accommodating seamless transfer of credits for further undergraduate and graduate education. Hudson County Community College is proud of its culture of care and invites applications from those wishing to join a community dedicated to promoting student success in all its forms.

Department/Division Introduction

The Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development is an exciting and entrepreneurial office within the College, which offers a wide variety of non-credit classes, training courses, seminars, webinars, and pathways to a degree program for community members and businesses. These offerings are focused on revitalizing careers, upgrading skills and credentials, growing businesses, and pursuing pastimes and passions. Additionally, the HCCC Center for Business & Industry (CBI) is the area leader in developing and delivering educational classes and programs for Hudson County’s businesses, organizations, and individuals. Join a winning team focused on serving the educational training needs of the Hudson County community.

Position Summary/Job Description

Reporting to the Grant Project Director, the Financial Counselor provides direct services too low to moderate-income students who are enrolled as Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) participants.  Financial counseling and coaching involve an ability to engage and motivate clients, a strong understanding of personal finances, and the ability to teach that knowledge to others.  The financial counselor is responsible for assisting clients in developing plans of action that are intended to help the client reach their goals and achieve financial stability.  The financial counselor is expected to focus services in a one on one counseling format.  However, the counselor might also conduct classes and workshops on topics such as budgeting, credit building, and banking products. This is a full-time, grant-funded position.

• Provide one on one financial counseling/coaching

Teach clients about the value of their services and engage the client in a long-term relationship Assist clients in resolving current financial situations, while providing a wide lens on their financial health to shift the approach to proactive financial management Work with clients to complete a very detailed financial assessment Work with the client to document a budget and provide strategies for budget improvements and debt reduction Access the clients credit report/score and provide strategies for credit building Document the client’s balance sheet and provide strategies for increasing net worth Develop plans of actions and provide tools, resources, and accountability to the participant to help them meet their goals Understand other services offered by HCCC, such as employment services, income supports, counseling, and connect the clients to these other services, as needed

• Outcome tracking—track the stories and successes of program participants

Use a client management system, to document and reflect the outcome of participants accurately and in a timely manner Complete financial assessment worksheets for financial counseling participants Work with the entire Hudson Helps Resource Services team to ensure that any changes to the participants status (new job, new benefit, change in credit score) is properly documented

• The financial counselor may conduct workshops as a means of outreach and education

The classes may be part of a larger job readiness class offered by the FOC, or may be occasional workshops to the public Develop workshop materials or tailor existing materials to meet the needs of the community Workshop topics should be relevant to the community, and may include topics such as: budgeting, savings, banking products, credit building, identity theft, and more.

• Develop relationships with local financial institutions and community organizations

Work with mainstream financial institutions to understand the needs of the community so they can provide products and services that fit Create a network of referral organizations to help participants meet his/her goals (e.g. local housing counseling agency, legal aid, etc.)

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree: required in any industry/field. 5 Years of Experience: A strong understanding of personal finances, particularly in the areas of budgeting, asset building, and credit building Previous work experience in the financial sector (banking, lending, insurance, investments) is a plus Bi-lingual preferred: Spanish / Arabic languages are a priority for the community. Technology Skills: To reach 100% of the student body, the department relies on technology to scale its efforts. We need individuals skilled in database management, spreadsheets, video conferencing, email management, word processing, electronic presentations, and knowledge of Salesforce. Engagement Skills: Previous work experience with students and/or low- or moderate-income individuals, and/or the ability to provide financial counseling/coaching services in a culturally sensitive manner. A good financial counselor can relate well to team members and clients Strategic Thinking: We are a culture of continuous improvement. Your thoughtful attention to program challenges, contribution of ideas, having a vision and setting goals is significant to the college’s growth. Excellent organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Review of applications to begin

Immediately

Applications

For full consideration please send resume, cover letter, salary expectations and a list of three professional references to cewd@hccc.edu.

As a New Jersey First Act Employer, new employees must establish a primary residence in New Jersey within one year unless an exemption applies.

HCCC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment. Decisions on employment are made on the basis of the qualifications of an individual for the particular position being filled. Women, veterans and minorities are encouraged to apply.

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