Financial Counselor

About Tzedek DC

Tzedek DC is a public interest center headquartered at the University of the District of
Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with lower incomes dealing with the often- devastating consequences of abusive debt collection practices and other consumer-related issues. Tzedek DC provides free services for DC residents with debt issues, advocates for fairer policies nationally and in the District of Columbia and conducts community-based financial empowerment programs. Tzedek DC is currently seeking to fill the role of one full- time Financial Counselor.

We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from people of color, people with disabilities, bilingual and bicultural people, people from immigrant communities, people of all genders, veterans, and LGBTQ community members.

This is a newly created position at Tzedek DC to provide free financial counseling for clients, with room to shape the financial counseling program and to grow and expand responsibilities over time. This is an immediate opening, so apply soon!

Position Tasks & Duties
The financial counselor will work with clients facing debt-related issues to help people take steps toward achieving financial stability. The financial counselor will work with staff attorneys to provide free services to clients in financial matters related to budgeting, bankruptcy, debt collection, student loans, credit card debt, and other consumer financial matters.

The position will include the following tasks and duties:

• Providing financial counseling and assistance to community members, including group, one-on-one, and follow-up

• Evaluating individual or family income and expenditures and providing recommendations for short- and long-term actions to achieve financial goals
• Providing assistance to help improve and organize finances, including empowering clients to develop a budget, manage their debt, establish and rebuild credit and savings, identify and access public and tax benefits, and efficiently meet financial goals for the short and long term
• Assisting clients with establishing financial literacy, good financial habits, and long- term financial planning
• Assessing clients’ financial health and developing recommendations to help clients improve their financial position and pursue their goals
• Conducting intake with clients; gathering personal and financial information
• Identifying immediate and long-term measures to increase income, reduce household expenditures, and avoid additional financial burdens
• Helping clients navigate credit issues, interest rates, and payment plans
• Working with clients to maintain and improve credit ratings
• Helping clients establish and monitor credit; working with community members to access and analyze credit reports
• Supervising volunteers

Preferred Qualifications
Candidates must have a nationally recognized and accredited Financial Counselor
Certification.

Additional preferred qualifications, not all of which are required to apply, include:

• Demonstrate experience with at least three years providing one-on-one financial counseling
• Understands personal finance, debt, debt collection, budgeting, and credit reports
• Training and/or experience with financial coaching is a plus
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and respect for people experiencing economic challenges, trauma, and other difficult circumstances
• Exceptional communication skills
• Enjoys connecting people to useful resources

• Enjoys finding creative solutions to challenges
• Motivated to make a difference
• Driven and goal-oriented
• Strong commitment to centering racial and disability justice in your work
• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and a team player
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain a high degree of confidentiality, particularly when working with members of our client community
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Project management experience and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with the legal system is a plus
• Experience in a nonprofit and/or legal office is a plus
• Experience working in or understanding of economic justice, consumer rights, or law is a plus

We encourage members of marginalized communities to apply for this position. Diverse backgrounds and experiences are a strength in conducting outreach to and engaging with client communities.

Salary and Other Support
The salary range for this position is $60,000-$85,000 based on experience. Tzedek DC also offers competitive benefits including a generous leave package, full payment of health care premiums, dental insurance, long term disability, group life insurance, and a 403b plan with automatic 3% contributions by Tzedek DC.

Application Instructions
The application should include:

1. Resume

2. Cover letter

3. Name and contact information for two references

Application materials and any questions, including application accommodation requests, should be directed by email only to:

Raphy Gendler, Intake Specialist & Avodah Service Corps Fellow, Tzedek DC: rg [at] tzedekdc [dot] org

Vaccination Requirement: As a grantee of the DC government per the Mayor's Order
2021-099, we are required to confirm the vaccination status of all employees who might at any point be in person with us or the public. As a potential employee whose role may include contact with the public or other office members, please let us know if you are vaccinated and have received a booster or if you are making an accommodation request to be exempted from the vaccination requirement for a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief.

Prioritizing Access and Inclusion: If you require accommodations or have any access needs that you want to make sure are met during any part of this application and hiring process, please reach out to Raphy Gendler at rg [at] tzedekdc [dot] org.

TZEDEK DC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is the policy of the Tzedek DC that no employee or applicant for employment or services will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, family responsibilities or family status, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by law, including the D.C. Human Rights Act and Language Access Act.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan

Physical Setting:

• Office

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location