Financial Opportunity Corps VISTA, Clarifi

Posted by Clarifi on June 9, 2014

The Financial Opportunity Corps VISTA will develop and manage a financial coaching program, called Clarifi Coach, to provide long-term and episodic support to Clarifi clients in under-resourced communities as they create and pursue realistic financial goals and practice new financial skills. The VISTA will work within low-income communities to form better money habits which, ultimately, will increase financial knowledge, confidence, and sustainability. The VISTA will also engage volunteers to support the coaching provision in order to increase the program’s long-term sustainability and recruit and engage members of the community to become clients of the financial coaching program.

Clarifi is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a 47-year history of helping Delaware Valley residents improve financial capability. In 2012, the agency provided counseling and financial education to over 15,000 people. Clarifi is well-known both locally and nationally, with more than 150 partners including nonprofits, government agencies, foundations, and universities. Recently Clarifi won several awards for improving community financial stability, including the Best Agency Award from the PA Housing Finance Agency and two United Way awards: a Champion of Impact award and a Strategic Partnership Prize. Clarifi’s President was named to the Consumer Advisory Board of the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in September 2012. Clarifi’s mission is to create hope by helping people identify and secure the most important assets in their lives.

The position of Financial Opportunity Corps VISTA is created through the relationship between Clarifi and AmeriCorps. Interested applicants will need to register with AmeriCorps at this link. The VISTA is expected to be a college graduate who is available to work full-time from 8/18/14 to 8/21/15. The benefits of participating in this program include living allowance, training, relocation allowance, health coverage, and a choice of an education award or an end-of-service stipend.

• Bachelor’s (B.A.) or commensurate experience preferred.
• Ability to work full-time from 8/18/2014 until 8/21/2015.
• Self-motivation, with strong time-management skills.
• Previous experience working with non-profits preferred, as is experience with volunteer engagement.
• Excellent skills in presentation, organization, and written and verbal communications.
• Dynamic, committed personality with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for supporting people with low incomes to build greater financial stability.
• Comfort in taking initiative; ability to collaborate effectively while staying focused and multi-tasking.
• Attention to detail and production of quality work, along with an ability to work quickly and under pressure.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, required.
• Computer literacy, including the ability to use the internet and e-mail, and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite of programs required.
• Participate in training and orientation, both local and national, as required, including: Train the Trainer Financial Coaching program, Points of Light and CNCS training programs.
• Expand local financial coaching programs using provided curriculum.
• Recruit and train volunteers and volunteer leaders, including residents of the surrounding neighborhood, to serve as financial coaches.
• Integrate efforts with local VITA tax preparation sites and other programs working to help people find economic opportunities.
• Build relationships with the local community and attempt to engage community members as participants.
• Create processes and systems to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Equip local volunteers with the knowledge and training to lead the program after VISTA’s placement in the neighborhood ends.
• Establish an advisory council, or work with an existing group, of service beneficiaries to guide the program’s approach, outreach efforts, and supplemental programs.
• Track relevant data regarding outputs and outcomes and make assessments of clients’ progress toward reaching their financial goals.
• Submit monthly and quarterly reports to Points of Light as required.
• Engage in any National Days of Service, including MLK Day of Service and National AmeriCorps Week.
• Submit a minimum of one blog post regarding work experiences.
• Participate in periodic meetings as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Travel: 

Position is based out of Clarifi’s main office at 1608 Walnut Street and requires occasional travel within the Philadelphia metropolitan area and surrounding counties by automobile and/or mass transit.

Physical Demands:
There are no special physical demands required by this position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:
The environment for this position is a standard office environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Send resume and cover letter to Megan Kiesel at mkiesel@clarifi.org. In addition, Interested applicants will need to register with AmeriCorps at this link and apply through the AmeriCorps website. Final candidates will be selected by mid-June 2014, so apply soon!