Financial Social Worker/Benefits Specialist

About LifeWise StL:

Rooted in our foundation as Kingdom House since 1902, our mission is to help individuals and families achieve economic well-being by providing high-impact, relationship-based programming and by addressing systemic barriers to their success.

Position Summary

We are seeking a full-time Financial Social Worker/Benefits Specialist to work with older adults to create and maintain relationships and to develop and achieve goals towards economic wellness. An ideal candidate will be well-versed in understanding each participant’s holistic needs, addressing immediate basic needs, and have a basic working knowledge of goal setting, and developing a plan that will help participants overcome economic barriers. This role is in support of the Senior Resiliency Fund program that combines one-on-one coaching, educational seminars, economic casework, and matched savings. The Financial Social Worker/Benefits Specialist seeks to promote a culture of healthy aging within the context of the Social Determinants of Health. If the candidate does not already possess them, LifeWise StL will provide training and certification for Financial Social Work, and SHIP Counseling.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Co-Facilitate/ Facilitate and instruct financial and wealth management education workshops
• Provide formal intake, needs assessment, develop a S.M.A.R.T. action plan that identifies goals, barriers and next steps for the participants
• Develop on-going relationships with participants through one-on-one coaching sessions
• Utilize financial social work practices and financial coaching techniques and skills to support participants’ goals in: regularly saving, achieving greater income, reducing debt, increasing assets and net worth
• Update and report accurate data for the purpose of ensuring data integrity and outcome driven programming
• Assist with marketing, outreach, recruitment and retention of program participants
• Participate in staff meetings, program meetings, strategic planning, and other community meetings as required
• Attend required trainings and recommended professional development and networking opportunities to advance personal and organizational capacity (paid for by LifeWise StL)
• LifeWise StL staff partner with individual and group volunteers, who provide over 25,000 service hours to the organization annually. As such, the successful employee will work collaboratively with organizational leadership, co-workers, volunteers, and colleagues from within and outside the organization to deliver and support holistic, client-focused programming.
• Other duties as assigned

Experience/Qualifications:

• Bachelors in Social Work or equivalent degree required. Masters in Social Work or similar field preferred
• One year experience in social services, particularly with one-on-one case management experience or counseling experience
• Minimum of one year experience facilitating groups, especially psychoeducational groups
• Basic knowledge of financial management tools and terminology
• Able to enthusiastically facilitate discussion and connect with individuals in a group environment
• Excellent organizational skills and detailed oriented a must
• Excellent public speaking, written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt role as needed, especially as the project evolves
• Able to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment
• Must be able to work independently and work with minimal supervision in the field
• Provide ethical and sound judgment when advocating and servicing clients in need
• Experience working with underserved and diverse populations; experience working with older adults
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and rare non-traditional hours (evenings)
• Basic knowledge of the St. Louis social service landscape and public benefits including TANF, SNAP, WIC, etc.
• Previous experience with financial services and products a plus
• Skilled at taking initiative, problem solving and working independently
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

How To Apply

LifeWise StL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Please send your resume and a cover letter to: jobs@lifewisestl.org with “Financial Social Worker/Benefits Specialist” as the subject line.