Resource Specialist; Santa Cruz

Job Summary

Provide individualized support through one‑on‑one wellness coaching to empower adults to set and attain short‑term and long‑term goals leading to self‑sufficiency and connecting individuals to comprehensive wrap‑around resources in the community to ensure holistic support. Activities and goal setting involve financial literacy, developing budgeting and money‑management skills, developing appropriate financial relationships, understanding smart debt options, navigating housing opportunities, employment support, and guidance for training/higher education.

• Educate participants on the value of workforce program services, fostering long‑term engagement to maintain membership level relationships.
• Lead personalized workshops to help participants understand banking, budgeting, credit control, becoming educated consumers.
• One‑on‑one coaching to help participants analyze their financial health, and develop a sustainable household budget.
• Develop plans of action and provide tools, resources, accountability to the participant to help them meet their goals.
• Research, identify, and develop partnerships with community resources, services providers, and financial institutions to meet participants’ needs.
• Make appropriate referrals and integrate other community and partner program supports. Coordinate with partner program staff to ensure strategic alignment of financial wellness programming and other program goals.
• Maintain consistent follow‑up with participants to track progress, provide guidance, and adjust action plans as needed.
• Administer evaluation tools to measure service impact and assess participant progress toward financial and personal goals.
• Maintain files and database for all participant activity.
• Collect, track, enter and report participant data for purpose of internal program monitoring on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.

Perform related duties as assigned.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college in social or human services, economics, finance, education or a closely related field OR 2+ years relevant experience.
• Experience: Experience working with low‑income populations and/or the ability to provide financial coaching services in a culturally sensitive manner;
  Two years’ experience working in social services and/or non‑profit programs preferred.
• License/Certification: Valid California Class C driver’s license preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and affinity for technology platforms that include tools such as Microsoft Office, video conferencing, webinars, social media, etc.
• Knowledge of Credit, debt, and money management; savings and investment options; and safe financial products and services.
• Leadership, public speaking, communication skills.
• Familiarity with Goodwill’s mission and general company policies/procedures, which may be learned on‑the‑job.
• Familiarity with office procedures, filing systems and equipment.

Typical office equipment; vehicles.

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. Ability to communicate in basic Spanish desirable.
• Ability to understand and comply with protocols and state and federal program requirements related to workforce development and social services programs.
• Ability to understand and follow Goodwill Mission Services Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ability to understand and follow Goodwill Central Coast’s Code of Ethics.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to engage and motivate participants, strong understanding of personal finances, and the ability to teach that knowledge to others.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and problem identification and solving skills.
• Quick learner who can work well independently.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and flexible in a dynamic environment.
• Team player who is resourceful, proactive and comfortable working with diverse populations.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Ability to understand others’ feelings and personal viewpoints and adapt accordingly.
• Ability to organize and utilize time effectively to coordinate participant schedules.
• Ability to reason, make…