Economic Empowerment Specialist

Rising Ground, Inc.•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Economic Empowerment Specialist (EES) is a core member of Rising Ground’s Paths to Healing Community-Based Services team, which provides holistic, survivor-centered services to individuals impacted by intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and other forms of trauma. The EES delivers trauma-informed, anti-oppressive economic support, advocacy, and financial empowerment programming that recognizes the deep impact of financial abuse, systemic oppression, and intersectional barriers on a survivor’s path to healing. Through individualized sessions, group workshops, and case coordination, the EES supports survivors in identifying and reaching economic goals such as housing stability, employment, education, budgeting, credit repair, childcare access, and public benefit navigation. The EES collaborates closely with shelter staff, therapists, legal advocates, and housing providers to ensure that survivors experience seamless, wraparound support, whether exiting DV shelters or seeking safety and financial independence in the community. This is a unique opportunity to walk alongside survivors as they reclaim financial autonomy and stability, rebuild trust in systems, and move forward with dignity and power.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in social work, mental health counseling, education, public administration, or a related field strongly preferred.
Demonstrated understanding of economic abuse, systemic poverty, and the unique financial barriers faced by survivors of IPV/GBV.
Experience working with survivors of violence, marginalized communities, or individuals impacted by systems of harm and disinvestment.
Deep commitment to trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive practice.
Strong knowledge of NYC public benefit systems, housing subsidies, employment resources, and financial advocacy.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and organizational skills.
Flexibility and creativity in working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Proficiency in English required
Authorized to work in the U.S.
Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required)
Ability to travel within the community

Nice To Haves

Experience facilitating workshops and/or group sessions on financial or job readiness topics preferred.
Bilingual Spanish or Haitian Creole strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide weekly trauma-informed, survivor-driven economic empowerment sessions tailored to each client’s needs and strengths.
Develop self-sufficiency plans with measurable benchmarks and goals related to employment, income stability, housing access, education, and financial wellness.
Assist clients in creating and refining resumes, completing job applications, preparing for interviews, and exploring long-term career development pathways.
Provide psychoeducation and coaching in budgeting, credit understanding, debt reduction, opening bank accounts, tax prep resources, and financial goal setting.
Support clients in accessing public benefits such as SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, childcare subsidies, and housing vouchers (including assistance with applications and renewals).
Coordinate warm hand-offs with domestic violence shelters and shelter staff, creating trauma-informed aftercare plans to support survivors’ transition to the community.
Co-lead EE workshops and group-based trainings focused on economic literacy, workforce readiness, and asset building.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local and citywide economic opportunity programs, including WorkForce1, CAMBA, VIP Mujeres, Hot Bread Kitchen, Urban Resource Institute, and Sanctuary for Families.
Track all client services and referrals using HIPAA-compliant systems, and participate in quality assurance and reporting processes as needed.
Attend regular case conferences, weekly supervision, team meetings, and professional development trainings.
Uphold the core values of equity, anti-oppression, and healing justice in all interactions with survivors, staff, and external partners.