Financial Counselor (Bilingual Spanish/English)

About Ariva

MISSION: Our mission is to bring economic justice, opportunity, and inclusion to our Bronx neighbors and other underserved communities across New York City.

VISION: We envision a world where all New York City residents experience economic justice, financial inclusion, and the opportunity to build financially empowered and prosperous lives.

We offer free comprehensive financial capability services and free income tax assistance at locations throughout New York City. Information on our projects and programs can be found at .

Position Description

Ariva seeks a high-energy, self-directed Financial Counselor to join our community wealth-building team. The Financial Counselor will work directly with low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to strengthen their financial stability from creating and managing household budgets to improving credit, reducing debt, increasing savings, and accessing safe and affordable financial products and services. This role also includes program outreach, community canvassing, and client engagement at community events to connect individuals and families with Ariva’s services. This position plays a key role in helping community members build financial capability and achieve long-term economic security.

This position is 100% in person and involves frequent local travel to sites around the Bronx and other communities in New York City. The average work week is 40 to 42.5 hours including daily 30-minute meal breaks. During the very busy income tax filing season, staff are expected to work a maximum of 42.5 hours weekly, including some evening and weekend hours. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required at other times of year as well. Face-to-face in-person service is an essential component of this position.

Responsibilities:

Client Financial Counseling & Asset Building

• Provide individualized one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to low- and moderate-income clients.
• Support clients in creating and managing household budgets.
• Review credit reports and scores with clients.
• Help clients with thin credit files establish a credit score, and support clients with existing credit in improving their scores.
• Assist clients in managing and reducing debt, including student loans.
• Help unbanked and underbanked clients access safe and affordable bank accounts.
• Provide information and strategies for short- and long-term savings goals.
• Support clients in understanding and navigating the U.S. financial system.
• Connect clients in need with emergency resources and public benefits.
• Maintain ongoing contact with clients to encourage sustained engagement and measurable financial outcomes.

Tax Integration & Program Collaboration

• Connect Ariva’s free tax preparation clients with financial counseling and asset-building opportunities.
• Integrate financial counseling services with Ariva’s free tax preparation and ITIN filing programs.
• Support clients in completing benefit applications.

Outreach & Community Engagement

• Conduct outreach and community engagement efforts to recruit clients and raise awareness of services.
• Participate in workshops, live-stream events, and financial education sessions.
• Serve as an ambassador for financial counseling by building referral partnerships and engaging walk-in and prospective clients.
• Represent Ariva at assigned sites and community events.
• Respond promptly to client inquiries and time-sensitive matters with professionalism and urgency.

Program Goals, Data Management & Accountability

• Track client progress toward financial outcomes in accordance with program goals and funder requirements.
• Enter and maintain client data in a detailed, timely, and accurate manner using Ariva’s approved client management system.
• Protect client privacy in compliance with contract requirements and Ariva’s policies.
• Collaborate with supervisors and teammates to ensure targets and deliverables are met or exceeded.

Core Competencies:

• Fluency in Spanish and English required to serve community members in their preferred language.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; able to balance multiple clients and outreach activities.
• A demonstrated commitment to and experience working with low-income people and in low-income communities.
• Cultural competency to work with immigrant communities.
• Computer-literate; comfortable with data management and data entry.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexible, patient, with a sense of humor and a strong work ethic.
• Genuine interest in financial capability programs for low-income communities.
• Strong desire to work collaboratively with staff, partners, and clients.

In addition to the above competencies, any of the additional skills and experience listed below are highly desirable:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in financial counseling and adult education projects, and familiarity with consumer banking products.
• Outreach skills with the ability to engage community members and recruit program participants.
• Experience with community canvassing, street outreach, or similar client acquisition activities.
• Familiarity with Salesforce.
• Direct experience with financial counseling is not required; training will be offered to the right candidate.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $45,000–$55,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Subsidized health and dental insurance.
• Generous paid time off.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Additional employee benefits.

This position will remain open until filled.

Ariva is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance

Work Location: In person