Financial Literacy Specialist

Wilfrid Laurier University•Brantford, ON

2d•CA$43 - CA$49•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision and direction of the Associate Registrar, Student Finance & Client Services the Financial Literacy Specialist provides a broad range of activities that support student success through financial literacy. The Specialist will develop, administer and evaluate the University’s financial literacy program including financial education workshops (both online and in person), individual financial support (including the coordination and release of emergency financial resources), as well as the training and supervision of peer financial literacy volunteers. The Specialist will also provide support and expertise for online and in-person recruitment events and print publications. The Financial Literacy Specialist strives to support students through improved knowledge and understanding of the financial responsibilities of post-secondary. This role requires someone that is able to communicate complex information to a variety of audiences with differing financial knowledge, able to offer programming that meets the needs of a broad audience and develop community and university partnerships to achieve these goals. Contacts include prospective and current students (undergraduate and graduate), parents, external agencies and Wilfrid Laurier University staff/faculty. The incumbent handles highly confidential information pertaining to students’ and parents’ financial and personal situations. Often having challenging conversations that impact a student‘s wellness. Therefore, the successful candidate must be able to perform his/her duties in a calm and direct manner to explain financial management and budgeting. This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Brantford Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, the Toronto office and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Requirements

University Degree.
Minimum of 2 years in higher education working directly with students, with related experience in teaching financial literacy or managing financial education program preferred.
Experience creating and maintaining developmental program material based on student needs and interests.
Strong presentation skills.
Experience in completing outreach and marketing material, including in-person, development of web content and other marketing material.
Experience in utilizing computer technology for program development, communication, data gathering and reporting activities.
Ability to train and supervise student volunteers.
Experience coaching and supporting students in vulnerable situations.
Ability to work independently and without supervision.
Strong organizational and verbal and written communication skills.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, demonstrated through the ability to remain calm, patient and use discretion when providing students with sensitive and potentially upsetting information.
Ability to work in a professional manner when faced with a challenging situation.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Must enjoy working in a team environment.
Familiar with computer systems including Banner, Cascade, and Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Specific expertise and experience in the effective delivery and administration of service in a post-secondary environment including strong knowledge of academic policies, FIPPA, and regulations is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Administers and evaluates the Financial Literacy program including individual financial coaching and financial guidance as well as financial literacy workshops.
Strong understanding of the Ontario’s Student Assistance Program (OSAP), Laurier’s internal scholarship and bursary programs, and student accounts.
Develops and implements strategies to support and foster financial literacy to secondary and postsecondary students.
Develops and maintains vital partnerships with campus partners as well as off-campus agencies to promote and deliver financial literacy programming and support.
Ensure that all statistical information is gathered and completed in a timely and accurate manner as required by the Research Ethics Board of the University.
Develops reports to outline effectiveness of program to senior leaders and to share the report or presentation format within the department.
Trains and supervises students to assist with the facilitation of financial literacy programming and events.
Ability to adapt to changing situations, work under pressure, and with frequent interruptions in a high-volume environment.
Develops and maintains internal process as it relates to minimizing barriers for students from the time of crisis to funding release, when applicable.
Attends team meetings identifying procedural problems, offering suggestions for improvement of services and recommending changes; works to streamline and redesign forms, recommending online service improvements.
Develops and provides training/outreach to Enrolment Services and other campus partners regarding financial literacy initiatives.
Assists students and parents regarding financial matters that require a high degree of expertise and sensitivity.
Strong desire to be part of a collaborative, team-centered environment which emphasizes creativity, reliability, and out-of-the box thinking.
Collaborates with campus partners to support students in crises in a timely manner.
Follows through and delivers on commitments in a timely fashion; Interacts with others as individuals and supports an environment of "personal service".
Proactively builds relationships with all campus partners and colleagues; acts as an ambassador on behalf of the department and Enrolment Services at all times.
Create a detailed work plan for your role, identifying and sequencing the activities with benchmarks and milestones to successfully implement the program.
Regularly update the financial literacy program to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of participants.
Create and implement online versions of the financial literacy workshops to mirror the content of the in-person workshops.
Promote programming and initiatives through outreach to campus partners, marketing and web maintenance.
Completes regular internal outreach to raise awareness of Laurier’s financial literacy program to build and maintain programming relationships.
Constantly review program effectiveness, draft recommendations and implement improvements in a timely manner.
Completes regular reporting to determine trends of student need and determine effectiveness of programming and support provided.
Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability, is open to new ideas, and supports and/or exhibits a willingness to challenge the status quo and strive for continuous improvement.
Ensures related business processes are well documented and revised as required.
Supports and participates in the exchange of diverse perspectives and ideas.
Constantly assessing and reassessing programming efforts to ensure marketing and workshops are relevant.
Active Banner user for collecting student information prior to one-on-one meetings, and documenting student interactions.
Accepts responsibility for outcomes and maintains standards of professionalism.
Adheres to business standards as established by the unit, and compiles related metrics to assist with data-driven decision-making.