Financial Assistance Specialist

St Vincent De Paul•Phoenix, AZ

14h•$20 - $24

About The Position

The Financial Assistance Specialist supports St. Vincent de Paul’s mission by preventing homelessness and promoting housing stability through financial assistance, application processing, data management, case coordination, and collaboration. The role works with guests, staff, volunteers, Vincentians, landlords, and community partners to process rental, mortgage, and utility assistance applications in compliance with grant requirements. It also coordinates non-financial housing supports, maintains data integrity in the Uplift system, and provides excellent customer service. Responsibilities vary by level and experience and may include training and mentoring, file audits, payment processing, volunteer supervision, quality control, and grant compliance support. Bilingual Spanish/English skills are required to support Spanish-speaking guests accessing services through Family Support Services or Family Evening Meal (FEM). All positions are expected to represent SVdP’s values and promote respect, dignity, service, and a Culture of Philanthropy and Invitation. The position has three specialist levels. Level I focuses on learning customer service, systems, community resources, grant processes, and application processing. Level II requires demonstrated proficiency and experience, strong knowledge of resources and grant processes, and proactive quality improvement. Level III emphasizes leadership readiness, training others, advanced community-resource knowledge, volunteer supervision, cross-departmental collaboration, strong communication, attention to detail, and advanced negotiation skills.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least six months of experience working in social services, patient care, or a related customer service field.
Bilingual Spanish/English skills are required.
Strong organizational skills and 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 and using Microsoft Outlook, and ability to learn and use database systems.
Time-management skills and 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.
Level II: At least one year demonstrating Level I skills and an average score of at least 2.0 on the skills checklist.
Level III: At least one year demonstrating Level II skills and an average score of at least 2.5 on the skills checklist.
Level I: Obtain and pass all required training; demonstrate basic application-processing skills with minimal mistakes, reaching mastery within six months to one year.
Level III: Demonstrate strong grant-process knowledge and ability to train others, advanced community-resource knowledge, excellent communication, attention to detail, and advanced negotiation skills.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in a related field, preferred for advanced levels.
Experience working with vulnerable populations.
Experience or familiarity with volunteer engagement training.
Level II: Strong knowledge of community resources, Conference systems, and grant requirements and processes; understanding of SVdP culture and Program Principles; proactive quality improvement and pursuit of additional training.
Level III: Experience liaising with funding partners and Conferences; experience training and supervising volunteers and bringing in new volunteers; ability to model cross-departmental collaboration and SVdP Program Principles.

Responsibilities

Interview guests, assess needs, and determine eligibility for rental, mortgage, and utility assistance.
Review and process financial assistance applications in compliance with 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.
Assist 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, the 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 decisions to approve, assign, or decline assistance requests.
Welcome, train, support, and appreciate volunteers and interns.
Model and promote SVdP’s Culture of Philanthropy and Culture of Invitation.
Collaborate across departments to strengthen community impact.
At Level I, meet with new guests at Family Evening Meal from 4–6 p.m. to provide assistance or resources as needed.
Learn and use Uplift, other relevant data systems, Conferences systems, community resources, and grant requirements and processes.
At Levels II and III, support quality improvement by identifying ideas and solutions to challenges.
At Level III, train others, liaise with funding partners and Conferences, supervise and help recruit volunteers, and model cross-departmental collaboration and SVdP Program Principles.
Depending on level and experience, support training, mentoring, file auditing, payment processing, volunteer supervision, quality control, and grant compliance.