Financial Coach 

Competencies

Description

Personal Qualities

including being a

·       Self-starter

·       Initiative

·       Member Service Skills

·       Resourceful problem solver  

·       Flexibility

·       Adaptability

·       Understand the ways power, privilege and oppression operate with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, political belief, religion, socioeconomic status, military status, and mental or physical disability

·       Effective verbal and written communication skills

·       Ability to network and cultivate relationships with diverse stakeholders/groups of people/community organizations and employers.

·       Ability to set and act on short- and long-term goals

·       Member service experience, including being:

o   Attentive/active listener

o   Courteous

o   Patient

o   Empathic

o   Friendly

o   Responsive

o   Resourceful

o   Caring

o   Flexible

o   Ability to adapt to a changing environment

o   Ability to competently use motivational interviewing techniques

o   Ability to use a holistic approach with member

o   Strive to provide the highest level of responsive, respectful customer service to their Members and employers, recognizing this is the core of their work

o   Professional presence. 

Collaboration skills

·       Understand the ways power, privilege and oppression operate with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, political belief, religion, socioeconomic status, military status , and mental or physical disability. 

·       Regular networking to increase connections for yourself and your Member

·       Building a trusting work environment that supports innovation

·       Working across the organization by knowing and partnering with a diverse landscape of stakeholders including: Internal partners at your organization and in your community

·       Other workforce development agencies that provide complementary services

·       Individuals and organizations in other related “systems”

·       Participating in formal partnerships and coalitions

The ability to effectively assess, prepare, and connect Members for advancement

·       Engaging in strategic Member recruitment

·       Using a strengths-based approach to assess Member’s skills, interests and needs

·       Planning with Members for both their short-term (survival job) and long-term (career pathways) and financial pathway goals

·       Providing and/or connecting Members to necessary “work readiness” training

·       Providing and/or connecting Members to desired hard skill training opportunities

·       Providing and/or connecting Members to supportive services as well as communities of support

·       Delivering retention activities to keep job seekers engaged in programming and employed

·       Understanding and adjusting services based on Member population (e.g. Members with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, veterans, youth, criminal records, etc.)

·       Analyzing the financial assessment to develop goals

·       Ability to be a resourceful problem solver (forward thinking, solution driven, anticipate through life lessons)

The ability to consider the employer as a customer. 

·       Developing a deep understanding of business and industry needs and how to stay up-to-date on trends

·       Understanding individual employer needs and workplace culture

·       Regularly use employer and Member feedback to improve services

·       Understanding and using labor market information to improve Members outcomes and influence program design

Data Management & Analysis

·       Ability to do basic research

·       Proficient with computers/technology (e.g. database systems; internet browsing; social media; survey tools; etc.)

·       Ability to provide appropriate internal documentation that describes the interactions held with Members

·       Creating regular time with colleagues to reflect on data trends and discuss program improvement

·       Collecting and using data from multiple sources (i.e. Members,

employers, staff, partners, etc.)

Financial Wellness – Continuous Learning

·       Have or pursuing professional financial coaching certification.

·       Keep up to date on current research and technology identifying and pursing areas for development and training that will enhance the coaches’ job performance and organizational effectiveness.  

Collaboration Skills

·       Enable the Member to demonstrate, practice, and deepen new learning.

·       Help the Member to further explore concerns and goals that they outlined themselves.

·       Encourage the Member to further explore ideas, solutions and actions that will lead them towards their goals.

·       Promote active experimentation and self-discovery.

·       Allow the Member to apply what has been discussed and learned during coaching sessions.

·       Encourage the Member to challenge the existing beliefs and assumptions about the world around them. 

·       Help the Member to notice and celebrate successes and capabilities for future growth.

·       Encourage the Member to stretch and challenge themselves, albeit at a comfortable pace.