Financial Assistance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

• Interview guests, assess needs, and determine eligibility for rental, mortgage, and utility assistance.
• Review and process financial assistance applications in compliance with specific grant requirements.
• Request, review, and approve required documentation from guests and vendors.
• Communicate and negotiate with landlords regarding rent payments, eviction proceedings, writ removal, and late fees.
• Provide referrals to community agencies and SVdP Conferences.
• Aid guests with technology access and troubleshooting to complete grant applications.
• Support housing follow-up processes at 3, 6, and 12 months, as applicable.
• Collaborate with Case Managers, Social Workers, Financial Assistance Team, and Vincentians.
• Liaise with Conferences to secure funding or co-funding for applications.
• Create and support a positive and supportive work environment.
• Participate in decision-making to approve, assign, or decline assistance requests.
• Welcome, train, support, and appreciate volunteers and interns, helping them to feel valued and supported.
• Model and promote SVdP’s Culture of Philanthropy and Culture of Invitation.
• Collaborate across departments to strengthen community impact.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to read, comprehend, speak and write clearly in English.
• Basic computer skills, including navigating the internet, using Microsoft Outlook, ability to learn and use database systems.
• Time management skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities in demanding environments.
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive engagement skills.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to remain calm during crisis situations.
• Commitment to SVdP’s mission and service values.

Minimum Hiring Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Associate degree in related field preferred (for advanced levels).
• At least six months working in social services, patient care, or related customer service field.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations strongly preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English required.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting and computer work.
• Ability to lift 20+ pounds occasionally to manage office supplies and equipment.

Levels & Experience Expectations

• Level I (starting $20/hour)

  • Learns and demonstrates good customer service skills.
  • Learns and uses Uplift and other relevant data systems.
  • Learns Conferences systems.
  • Engages with new guests at Family Evening Meal (4-6pm) to provide assistance and/or resources as needed.
  • Learns community resources.
  • Engages with volunteers with appreciation and support.
  • Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.
  • Learns grant requirements and processes.
  • Demonstrates ability to perform basic tasks and proper processing of applications with minimal mistakes.
  • Mastery of these skills within 6 months – 1 year.
  • Obtains / passes all required training.
  • Helpful attitude.

• Level II (starting $22/hour)

  • Minimum 1 year experience demonstrating Level I skills, & average score of at least 2.0 on skills checklist.
  • Strong knowledge of community resources and Conference systems.
  • Engages with, appreciates, trains, supports volunteers.
  • Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.
  • Strong knowledge of grant requirements and processes.
  • Understands SVdP culture, including Program Principles.
  • Seeks out extra training without being asked.

• Level III (starting $24/hour)

  • Minimum 1 year of experience demonstrating Level 2 skills, and average score of at least 2.5 on skills checklist.
  • Strong knowledge of grant requirements and processes, with ability to train others.
  • Advanced knowledge of community resources, with experience liaising with funding partners and Conferences.
  • Supports volunteer engagement: engages with, appreciates, trains, supervises volunteers.
  • Works to bring in new volunteers.
  • Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.
  • Models cross-departmental collaboration, and regularly models SVdP Program Principles.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with little to no misunderstandings as a result of communication.
  • Minimal mistakes with technology, project, and administrative details; proven attention to detail.
  • Advanced negotiation skills.

• Financial Assistance Supervisor (equivalent to Financial Assistance Specialist IV) (starting $25/hour)

  • Minimum 1 year of experience demonstrating Level 3 skills, and average score of 3 on skills checklist.
  • Decision making, especially in the absence of program manager.
  • Proactively solves problems & resolves conflicts.
  • Advanced knowledge of grant requirements and processes, with ability to train others.
  • Primary liaison with and trainer for Conferences.
  • Manages volunteer engagement: engages with, appreciates, trains, supervises volunteers.
  • Works to bring in new volunteers.
  • Has taken and utilizes volunteer engagement training.