Financial SELF Empowerment Coach

About Drexel

Drexel is one of Philadelphia's top 10 private employers, a comprehensive global research university and a major engine for economic development in the region. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.

Job Summary

The Center for Hunger-Free Communities seeks a Financial SELF Empowerment Coach to join the Building Wealth and Health Network (The Network) team. The Financial SELF Empowerment Coach will co-facilitate The Network class sessions following an established curriculum multiple times per week in the field, provide one-on-one coaching sessions to members as needed, and complete required session documentation.

Empowerment Coaches work in pairs to facilitate our sixteen session Network curriculum. The curriculum blends financial literacy (discussion on basic financial terminology, tools, goals and skills, access to banking, credit and debt management and asset building) and trauma-informed skills adapted from the Sanctuary® Model’s trauma-informed tool called S.E.L.F (Safety, Emotion, Loss, and Future).

About the Center:
The Center for Hunger-Free Communities, established in 2004, is a research, service and policy/advocacy center of Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health in Philadelphia, PA. The Center for Hunger-Free Communities offers the same multi‐faceted research and action that has characterized the work on hunger and poverty at Drexel with the goal of developing innovative, empirically‐tested solutions to the challenges of hunger and economic insecurity.

Our Mission:
At the Center for Hunger-Free Communities, we address hunger in all its forms by engaging in partnership with families, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to:
• Find solutions to hunger and poverty based on science and the human experience.
• Report on the health consequences of hunger and poverty to ensure accountability and enable action.
• Engage those who have experience with poverty as full partners in developing research, policies, and programs that promote health.
• Establish and support opportunities to build peace, nourishment, and a sense of shared community through our research, testimony, and action.

We are committed to freedom and justice through fighting against all forms of oppression, exclusion, and discrimination - including but not limited to racism, classism, sexism, transphobia/homophobia, and ableism - in the world, in our communities, and in ourselves.

About the Building Wealth and Health Network (The Network):
The Building Wealth and Health Network is a trauma-informed, healing-centered financial literacy program, that combines emotional and peer support to promote self-efficacy and resilience in traditionally under-resourced communities. The Network is an opportunity for parents and caregivers of young children to increase their income and savings, improve health and wellbeing, and shape their own futures - all in a community of their peers. The Network does this through three main components.
1. Financial Literacy and S.E.L.F Empowerment Curriculum
2. Matched Savings Account
3. Coaching and Peer Support
The Network has proven effective in helping members heal from adversity, feel less isolated, and improve economic security.

Essential Functions

• Co-facilitation of Financial SELF Empowerment sessions with peer support groups using established Building Wealth and Health Network curriculum. The Financial SELF Empowerment Coach will facilitate multiple sessions per week at an assigned location (location subject to change based on need) or through online learning management systems.
• Each Financial SELF Empowerment session is led by two Financial SELF Empowerment Coaches. Coaches bring expertise either in financial services or social services, and a willingness to learn, be trained on and co-facilitate discussions around both topic areas.
• Provide one-on-one coaching before or after class sessions.
• In addition, the Financial SELF Empowerment Coach will meet with participants, referred to as members, as needed in a one-on-one setting to identify and address members’ personal and financial needs and goals.
• SELF coaching topics may include: providing support during emergencies or crisis management, working with participants to make a plan to address their needs, connecting participants with other agencies/organizations to meet identified needs, and documenting and tracking each case.
• Financial coaching topics may include: detailed credit report reading, developing individualized savings plans, financial independence and housing goals.
• The Coach also partners with members as needed for assistance with entrepreneurial advice, contacting creditors, landlords, and homeownership programs.
• The Coach also encourages members to do the above for each other and create opportunities for connection and peer support among the group.
• Participating in staff meetings, Sanctuary® meetings, strategic planning, and other meetings as required.
• Provide backup to other coaches, e.g. conducting additional groups during colleagues’ vacation or illness.
• Attend professional development trainings.
• Other duties as assigned, including: assisting with outreach, recruitment and retention of Network members & support with the Network Advisory Council / Network Connections.

Required Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or GED, with commensurate experience required.
• 2 to 3 years of social services experience and/or financial services experience required. Progressive experience preferred.
• Qualified candidate will bring experience and knowledge either in social services and/or financial services, and a willingness to be trained on and facilitate discussions around both topics.
• Candidates with only the requisite social services experience will be trained after hiring in financial literacy concepts and candidates with only financial services experience will be trained in social services and trauma-informed approaches.
• Minimum of two years of experience facilitating groups, especially psychoeducational groups.
• Able to enthusiastically facilitate discussion and connect with individuals in a group environment.
• Creative and active facilitation style is a plus.
• Excellent public speaking, written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Flexible and willingness to work in a fast-paced, collegial environment.
• Proficient in computer technology use including Microsoft Office suite and with online meeting systems like Zoom.
• Able to enter data accurately into varied database and tracking systems and engage with online learning management systems.
• Must be able to work independently and work with minimal supervision in the field.
• Able to adhere to confidentiality laws and handle sensitive information.
• Provide ethical and sound judgment when advocating and servicing clients.
• Experience working with under-resourced and diverse populations, especially families raising children on limited incomes.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and non-traditional (evening) hours.

Note:
The Center and The Network employs the Sanctuary Model in its implementation of programs. The Sanctuary Model is an evidence-supported, trauma-informed practice designed to facilitate the development of structures, processes, and behaviors on the part of staff, clients and the community-as-a-whole that can respond to the wounds of traumatic experiences and extended exposure to adversity of program members. In the Network, we have adapted different tools of Sanctuary® to fit our program. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with the Sanctuary Model or other trauma-informed approaches and/or a willingness to engage with trauma-informed, healing-centered approaches in their professional work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the Sanctuary® Model or other trauma-informed approaches a plus.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus.
• Previous experience with grassroots organizing a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Members who have completed their participation in the Building Wealth and Health Network meet required experience and are encouraged to apply.

Location

• University City.

Additional Information

• This position is classified as exempt with a salary grade of I. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Special Instructions to the Applicant

• Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Advertised:Sep 9 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Oct 9 2021 Eastern Daylight Time