Economic Mobility Coach

Economic Mobility Coach, Mandela Homes - Boston, MA

Summary: Responsible for design and implementation of economic mobility programs at Mandela Homes including strengthening and expanding existing initiatives and building out new programs in partnership with the Mandela Residents Cooperative Association, Inc. (MRCA) and Beacon Communities staff. The Economic Mobility Coach role is multifaceted and requires the coordinator to be a mentor, networker, motivator, teacher, and coach. This role leads program design and implementation and provides one-on-one economic mobility coaching for participating families to provide them with access to financial education / literacy / empowerment / coaching programs and opportunities. The goal is to help participants acquire the knowledge, skills, and resources to make informed and effective decisions that ultimately help them and their families reach their goals and achieve self-sufficiency and financial stability.

Reports to: Area Resident Service Manager – Boston

Direct Reports: NONE

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: On Site

Essential Functions of the Position:

Implement New & Existing Economic Mobility Programs

• Lead management and expansion of existing programs and lead strategy development and implementation of new programs.
• Manage existing education scholarships and driver’s license assistance program.
• Design program requirements and implement school attendance incentive initiative.
• Do resident outreach to market programs and recruit participants.
• Establish and implement additional program structures and procedures as needed to effectively implement and expand existing programs.
• Research best practices and other economic mobility program models to create additional program proposals.
• Implement new programs in partnership with MRCA.

Mandela Homes Family Self-Sufficiency Program Development & Implementation

• Design a Mandela Homes Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) modeled after the HUD Family Self-Sufficiency program.
• Create and execute an implementation plan, including enrolling participant families and providing trauma-informed, resident-centered economic mobility coaching, referrals, and programming.
• Research program models and implementation best practices, learning from sources including but not limited to: HUD-funded FSS model; Beacon’s Senior FSS Coordinator and other Community Engagement department staff; and feedback from MRCA and Mandela Homes residents.
• Establish strategy and policies to implement the program in partnership with the MRCA, including necessary documentation such as program eligibility requirements; policies and procedures; assessments and surveys; participant contracts and action plans; and informational materials for residents, staff, and community members.
• Develop outreach materials including informational brochures and marketing materials.
• Conduct outreach to market the program and interview interested residents.
• Complete assessments of residents and enroll them in the program including completing participant contracts and action plans; reassess and revise goals as necessary with residents.
• Provide one-on-one coaching, case management, and referrals for participants to external partners.
• Ensure that the services and support included in participants' contracts are provided on a regular basis and that participants are fulfilling their responsibilities under the contracts.
• Monitor the progress of participants, promote opportunities for them to increase their income and address and eliminate barriers to advancement and graduation.
• Set up and manage participant escrow savings accounts through MRCA funding sources and any additional funding that may come available.
  • Work with MRCA and Beacon’s Accounting Department to provide needed information to create escrow accounts and ensure that they are properly maintained for eligible families.
  • Ensure that participating families are provided with an annual escrow account balance statement, but more often is encouraged.
  • Meet quarterly with Beacon’s Accounting Department to review escrow account status for participants and address any forfeited escrow funds in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Based on outcomes of the Mandela Homes FSS program and in coordination with the MRCA and Beacon Communities, develop a HUD-compliant FSS Action Plan to consider proposing to HUD.

Networking and Community Resource Coordination

• Partner with community organizations as needed to effectively implement education scholarships; driver’s license assistance program; school attendance incentive initiative; Mandela Homes FSS program; and any new economic mobility programs.
• Collaborate with MRCA and Resident Service Coordinator(s) to provide residents with access to supportive services either onsite or through referral in areas such as training programs, career support, GED classes or other education, and homebuyer training.
• Partner with organizations that conduct financial education workshops that cover topics such as credit, debt, savings, budgeting, asset building and banking services; and/or organizations that can provide financial coaching.
• Identify gaps in service and problem solve to determine how to meet the needs.

Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare clear, concise reports to be submitted as required.
• Communicate clearly, both in writing and orally.
• Create and maintain systems to track program participation and any necessary participant information for all economic mobility programs.
• Document program activities, services, and referrals through Beacon documentation platforms and other system(s) as appropriate for all economic mobility programs.
• Maintain case files, including participant contracts, action plans and goal achievement documentation, and assessment and surveys, for FSS program participants.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, education, or related field, or equivalent.

Experience: Two years’ experience as a HUD FSS Coordinator; Resident Service Coordinator; economic mobility coach; case manager or counselor; or combination of education, training, and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience working with youth and families, including one-on-one coaching and programming, on issues relating to economic mobility including workforce development, youth enrichment, education, and asset building.
• Knowledge of the local organizations and programs that can assist FSS participants and help provide for the financial literacy, asset building, job development and coaching needs of the residents.
• Knowledge of Yardi, Property Management databases, ResidentConnect is a plus.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local policies affecting housing particularly Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and HUD FSS program is a plus.
• Skill in performing motivational interviewing with participants in order to help participants set goals and track follow-up progress.
• Capable of building and maintaining positive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to, residents, senior staff, interns, and community partners.
• Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving and writing skills.
• Proficiency with MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and other computer programs.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to understand and respect values, attitudes, and beliefs that differ across cultures and to respond appropriately to these differences with residents in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and services.
• Ability to collect, track and understand data in order to assess programs and partnerships and inform strategies.

Work/Travel Requirements: The Economic Mobility Coach will work on site in the Management / Leasing Office and will need to be able to work as needed days/hours that are outside of “traditional” work hours.

Compensation: $63,000 - $67,000 annual salary 

Actual compensation is influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location.