Financial Stability Program Manager

Description

Organization Overview:  

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is a statewide nonprofit organization with a mission to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota. Each year MACV serves thousands of Veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability. MACV provides comprehensive programs in the areas of housing, employment, legal, and other wrap-around services to support Veterans and their families throughout Minnesota. MACV operates a budget of over $15 million annually and has a team of approximately 120 employees throughout Minnesota. The organization has office locations throughout the state, with administrative functions centralized within a headquarters office based in St. Paul.

MACV offers a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, dental, vision, life, STD and LTD insurance, generous paid time off, retirement benefits, 12 holidays per year, paid parental leave, paid family and medical leave, technology and wellness reimbursement programs, tuition reimbursement, continued professional development support, and more. Some hybrid work permitted. 

Job Description:  

This position is designed to manage and support MACVs successful Financial Stability Program. This will include, but is not limited to, leading a small team of Financial Navigation Specialists, collaborating with contracting representative payee providers, conducting financial literacy training, developing partnerships with financial resource agencies, and continuing to integrate and increase the use of the Financial Stability Program within the daily work of MACV. Additionally, this position will also work directly with Veterans, as needed, to assist with budget development, debt repayment or consolidation, credit management, and establishing bank accounts. These services align with the organization's mission to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota. 

Requirements

• Oversee all components of the Financial Stability Program including staff and contractor management. 
• Support and train staff to provide quality financial counseling services, from a harm-reduction, strengths-based perspective. 
• Maintain a close working relationship with MACVs contracted Representative Payee agencies. 
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures amongst internal programs and external partners to ensure maximum impact of the program. 
• Cultivate relationships with financial management institutions to expand available resources related to debt consolidation, debt forgiveness, tax filing, traditional banks, etc. 
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to cultivate housing opportunities for Veterans. 
• Provide on-going training to internal staff and external partners related to budgeting, debt consolidation, available resources, etc. 
• Provide guidance to organizational staff in understanding Veterans spending and ways to mitigate inappropriate spending. 
• Review all Financial Stability cases to ensure accuracy, compliance, quality service delivery, and follow up. 
• Manage internal and external referrals, ensuring quality referrals and maintaining realistic expectations for Veterans being referred. 
• Ensure programmatic consistency when working with Veterans who live in Greater Minnesota. 
• Assist in grant reporting and funding acquisition, as needed. 
• Directly provide financial counseling services to Veterans, as needed. This may include: 
• Develop a financial plan and budget with Veterans to determine short and long-term goals, in conjunction with the Veterans to meet their goals and overcome barriers to financial stability. 
• Conduct case conferencing with Housing Stability Case Manager regarding Veterans progress towards housing and financial stability. 
• Conduct ongoing evaluations of the participant’s progress through their stability plan and adjust the plan, as needed. 
• Provide financial literacy and counseling from a harm-reduction, strength-based perspective. 
• Analyze financial information obtained from Veteran clients to determine strategies for meeting clients’ financial objectives. 
• Review Veterans credit scores and determine strategies for improvement. 
• Assist Veterans with opening a checking or savings bank account, as needed.  
• Provide resources to Veterans and staff to increase client income or reduce spending. 
• Develop a discharge plan with participants, addressing financial ability to maintain permanent housing stability, economic stability, and self-determination. 
• Guide clients in gathering documentation such as bank account statements, credit reports, and tax returns as necessary. 
• Coach individuals virtually, by phone, or in-person. 

Key Skills and other Characteristics 

• Knowledge of credit issues, budgeting, financial counseling, etc. 
• Experience and comfort with entering and managing information within a comprehensive database system. 
• Working knowledge of motivational interviewing techniques. 
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills when working with clients and creditors on debt repayment and budgeting issues. 
• Knowledge of credit scores and credit repair. 

Preferred Experience: 

• College degree or equivalent relevant work experience. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills along with strict attention to detail. 
• Experience working with individuals who are homeless, chemically dependent, or have a mental health concerns.  
• Works well on a team but can function independently. 
• Knowledge of Veteran resources. 
• Knowledge of the challenges of homelessness. 
• Knowledge of client tracking systems and database background. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. 
• Familiarity with VA benefits, Social Security, SOAR, and other public benefits.