Financial Counsellor-Educator

Job Description

The Financial Counsellor-Educator is responsible for planning, delivering, evaluating, and reporting on free financial empowerment services for individuals and families living on low and moderate incomes across Unama’ki-Cape Breton.

Grounded in sustainable livelihoods and adult education, the role helps participants strengthen financial skills and confidence, access income and benefits, reduce financial stress, and work toward goals they identify for themselves.

The position delivers all four financial empowerment service areas: year-round tax filing, benefits navigation, one-on-one financial counselling, and financial education. Services are voluntary, consent-based, culturally responsive, confidential, and non-judgmental, with particular attention to people with disabilities, off-reserve Indigenous community members, African Nova Scotians and residents facing rural access barriers.

Role Scope and Accountability

This position prepares and delivers client plans, educational materials, workshops, program evaluations, and program reports. This position builds and deepens relationships with fellow community organizations and the clients they serve. This position works one-on-one with clients over medium-long periods of time and works with medium-large groups of clients in educational settings. This position looks for innovative approaches to teaching and skill-building, working from an asset-based perspective with clients.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

Service Planning & Shared Delivery; One-on-One Financial Counselling & Coaching; Year-Round Tax Filing & Benefits Access; Financial Education & Resource Development; Community Outreach, Partnerships & Advisory Support; Accessible, Consent-Based & Participant-Led Practice; Documentation, Evaluation & Reporting. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Service Planning & Shared Delivery

• Translate the approved work plan into monthly and quarterly schedules for client appointments, tax clinics, workshops, outreach, evaluation, and reporting, in collaboration with Manager.
• Plan service delivery across all five municipal areas, balancing urban and rural locations, tax-season demand, travel time, participant needs, and reporting deadlines.
• Develop and maintain practical intake tools, resources, appointment processes, and workshop plans; share information and materials so that service quality/continuity do not depend on one employee.
• Monitor assigned work against agreed targets, identify capacity pressures or delivery barriers early, and recommend adjustments to scheduling, outreach, and service design. Coordinate logistics and document approved expenses within delegated authority.

 One-on-One Financial Counselling & Coaching 

• Build trusting relationships and help participants assess their financial circumstances, strengths, income sources, expenses, debts, goals, and barriers at a pace that is comfortable for them. 
• Co-develop practical action plans and household budgets that support sustainable livelihoods, essential expenses, financial stability, and participant-defined short- and long-term goals. 
• Help participants understand banking, credit, debt, savings, and payment options; support steps to address overdue accounts, high-interest debt, utility-payment difficulties, and financial avoidance. 
• Provide follow-up, review progress, and adjust plans with participants. Recognize the effects of poverty, housing insecurity, disability, financial abuse, and other barriers without blaming individuals. 
• Support participants to communicate with relevant agencies and service providers with consent and connect them to other community supports or qualified professionals for their non-financial needs.

  Year-Round Tax Filing & Benefits Access 

• Organize and deliver free tax-filing support through individual appointments, clinics, virtual service, and outreach locations. Help eligible participants file current and prior year returns and access benefits.  
• Assist participants to gather documents, understand the filing process and follow up on missing information. Prepare and submit returns only within approved training, authorization, and service procedures; refer files beyond the program’s scope. 
• Provide one-on-one help to identify, apply for, and maintain federal and provincial income supports and benefits, using tools such as Prosper Canada’s Benefits Wayfinder and the GoC Benefits Finder. 
• Help participants complete applications, assemble supporting information, and track follow-up requirements. Record application and benefit outcomes accurately and explain that eligibility decisions rest with the responsible program.

  Financial Education & Resource Development 

• Design, deliver and update practical workshops and group learning sessions on budgeting, banking, credit and debt, taxes and benefits, consumer rights, income maximization, saving and planning. 
• Use adult education principles and accessible, plain-language materials suited to participants’ literacy, digital access, cultural context, goals, and everyday circumstances. 
• Prepare facilitation plans, presentations, exercises, handouts, and take-home tools. Deliver general workshops, targeted sessions, and seasonal Meet and Eat sessions that provide an informal introduction to financial empowerment services. 
• Tailor sessions with partners for newcomers, people exiting homelessness, and adults with disabilities, including people transitioning to more independent living. Seek participant and community input rather than assuming a standard approach meets every need. 
• Arrange registration, venues, materials, technology, and participant supports; collect feedback and assess learning, confidence, and usefulness. Revise content and delivery in response to results.

  Community Outreach, Partnerships & Advisory Support 

• Develop and maintain referral relationships with New Dawn programs, community organizations, income-assistance staff and other service providers to reach people who may not otherwise access financial help. 
• Work with the Ally Centre of Cape Breton, Jane Paul Centre, Whitney Pier Boys and Girls Club, and Multicultural Association of Cape Breton on referrals, workshop locations, promotion, and feedback. 
• Support the Manager to convene the lived-experience advisory committee quarterly, key advisory partners semi-annually, and the broader partner network annually. Prepare information, coordinate meeting logistics, document recommendations, and implement agreed service improvements. 
• Contribute to consultation and ongoing feedback with Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian community members; coordinate appropriate translation/culturally responsive resources with community partners. 
• Work with New Dawn Communications on accessible outreach materials, website and social-media content, community presentations, and financial-literacy stories or articles. Support the planned outreach to municipal councils and other community referral points. 

  Accessible, Consent-Based & Participant-Led Practice 

• Explain services clearly, obtain and revisit informed consent at each stage, and respect participants’ right to decline or end services. Welcome a participant’s chosen support person and accommodate children in accordance with program arrangements. 
• Arrange approved transportation, childcare, food, interpretation, accessible formats and disability-related accommodations so that cost, geography, language or disability does not unnecessarily prevent participation. 
• Apply New Dawn’s harm-reduction, anti-racism, safe-spaces, least-intrusive-practice and respectful-language approaches. Recognize that money and financial institutions may be associated with shame, stigma or trauma. 
• Maintain professional boundaries and refer needs beyond the role’s training or authority. These positions provide financial education and navigation; they do not assume trusteeship of participant income or provide specialized legal, investment or insolvency services.  

  Documentation, Evaluation & Reporting 

• Maintain accurate, timely intake records, consents, case notes, service logs, attendance records, referral information and follow-up documentation using approved systems and consistent definitions. 
• Collect only information needed for services, evaluation and reporting. Explain its use; respect a participant’s choice not to answer non-essential questions; store information securely and report privacy concerns through New Dawn’s processes. 
• Track taxes filed, benefits accessed, client goals, services delivered and outcomes such as increased income, reduced arrears or debt, improved ability to meet expenses, and participant-reported confidence, stress and control. 
• Compile and analyze participation and outcomes quarterly, including referral sources, geographic distribution and voluntarily provided demographic information. Identify who is and is not being reached, and propose improvements where access, attendance or progress falls short. 
• Draft the quantitative and qualitative content for one interim and one final performance report per fiscal year, together with other required program updates, for management review. Provide activity records, receipts and explanations needed by Finance and the Manager for quarterly financial reporting. 
• Prepare content for the annual public project report and contribute to the project case study on rural financial empowerment. Develop resources, learning summaries and participant stories with Communications, using aggregated/de-identified information or specific written consent. 
• Participate in year-end evaluation, service-gap analysis and planning. Support any approved enhanced evaluation with Prosper Canada’s independent evaluator if New Dawn is selected and participation is agreed. 

Shared Project Deliverables

Jointly contribute to the following annual project-wide service-line reach targets. The Manager assigns individual responsibilities and phased targets through the approved work plan; these totals are not separate quotas for each employee.

 Track unique participants, repeat appointments, and workshop attendance using funder definitions        

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Participate in supervision, team meetings, relevant Prosper Canada training, and ongoing professional learning; share tools and knowledge with the other Counsellor-Educator and colleagues.
• Contribute reusable resources and, where directed, knowledge-sharing or train-the-trainer activities that help sustain financial empowerment services beyond the project.
• Maintain confidentiality, sound judgment, reliable follow-through and respectful working relationships; complete other duties consistent with the role and project as assigned by the Manager.

Core Competencies

• Compassionate, non-judgmental and participant-led service
• Financial literacy, numeracy, and practical problem-solving
• Adult education, facilitation, and clear plain-language communication
• Cultural humility, equity, accessibility, and relationship building
• Planning, initiative, teamwork, and dependable follow-through
• Accuracy, confidentiality, ethical judgment, and reflective practice

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in a relevant field such as community services, social work, adult education, finance, accounting or business, or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience. Relevant lived and community experience is valued. 
• Demonstrated experience providing practical support, education, or navigation to people living on low incomes or facing barriers to services, with the ability to build trust and respect participant choice. 
• Working knowledge of household budgeting, banking, credit, debt, savings, personal income-tax filing, income-support/benefit systems, with willingness to build competency across all four service areas. 
• Experience preparing and facilitating workshops or other group learning, adapting materials for different literacy levels, and communicating complex information clearly. 
• Strong organizational and digital skills, including accurate records, spreadsheets, virtual service tools, secure information handling, data collection and written reporting. 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across geographically dispersed communities, manage competing demands and identify when guidance or a referral is needed. 
• Experience with tax-filing assistance, benefits navigation, financial counselling, community-based adult education is an asset. Willingness to complete role-specific training and service authorizations. 
• Alignment with New Dawn’s community-development mission, servant-leadership philosophy, and commitment to respectful, inclusive and culturally responsive practice. 

Work Conditions

• Full-time work involving individual appointments, workshops, community outreach, planning, documentation and reporting; regular travel to urban and rural service locations across Cape Breton.
• Services delivered in accessible offices and partner/community spaces, by telephone and virtually, according to participant needs and approved arrangements.
• Occasional evening or weekend work to support community sessions and appointments.
• Work involves confidential financial information and conversations with participants experiencing financial distress or other difficult circumstances; appropriate professional boundaries are essential.
• Regular computer and telephone use, preparation and transport of workshop materials, and the ability to work from different community locations with appropriate supports and accommodations.

Compensation Package for Salaried Employees

At New Dawn Enterprises, we recognize that employee well-being is fundamental to individual success, organizational excellence, and thriving communities. In addition to competitive salaries, permanent salaried employees may be eligible for the following benefits and supports. Eligibility for specific benefits may vary based on employment status, position, and length of service.

Group Health Employee Benefits

New Dawn offers eligible employees participation in group benefits which are provided by GroupHEALTH and include coverage for medical, dental, and vision care, as well as insurance coverage including long-term disability, life, and accidental death and dismemberment. New Dawn pays 50% of group benefit premiums. Long-term disability premiums are fully employee-paid, allowing any future disability benefits received to remain non-taxable.

Extended Health & Well-Being  

GroupHEALTH offers integrated wellness services through Sparrow Health, including enhanced mental health support, seamless access to virtual healthcare, and an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). Services include critical incident support, 24/7 crisis assistance, substance-use management, and other wellness resources.

Retirement Savings Matching Program

Eligible employees may choose to participate in New Dawn’s RBC Retirement Savings Matching Program by contributing up to 5% of their gross salary toward a registered retirement savings plan, which is deducted from their pay cheque. New Dawn matches employee contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 5% of gross salary. Eligible savings accounts include Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and eligible Community Economic Development Investment Funds (CEDIFs).    

Flexible Work Arrangements

In recognition of the benefits of greater work-life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human well-being, New Dawn makes every effort to offer flexible work schedules. Divisions across New Dawn are structured differently and may offer varying levels of flexibility while continuing to meet operational requirements. Depending on the role, flexible arrangements may include self-scheduling (regular schedule and/or time off coverage), flexible start and end times, remote work, and other accommodations. 

Reduced Hours Work Week

Full-time salaried employees are eligible to participate in a 32-hour reduced-hours work week while maintaining full-time employment status and compensation. These hours can be worked over four 8-hour days, or five 6.5-hour days, with the chosen schedule identified at the beginning of employment and at the start of each year.

Paid Vacation 

Full-time, salaried employees are entitled to 120 hours (equivalent to 15 days) of paid vacation annually. Part-time, salaried employees are entitled to paid annual vacation hours prorated to their FTE status.

Paid Mental & Physical Wellness Days 

Full-time, salaried employees are entitled to 56 hours (7 days) of paid mental and physical wellness leave annually. Part-time, salaried employees are entitled to paid annual leave for mental and physical health prorated to their FTE status. These hours can be used to take time off work for physical and/or mental wellness/illness, and to attend appointments for the employee and/or their dependents. 

Paid Holidays 

New Dawn observes the following thirteen (13) public holidays annually, exceeding current statutory minimums. These include: New Year’s Day, Nova Scotia Heritage Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. 

Subject to operational requirements, New Dawn may provide eligible employees an additional paid office closure between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day annually, allowing employees additional time with family and loved ones without using vacation entitlement. 

Rewards & Recognition 

New Dawn celebrates employee contributions through service awards, milestone recognition, and ongoing appreciation programs that acknowledge achievements and significant personal and professional milestones.

Paid Required Education Renewals

When certifications, training, licenses, or credentials are required for a position, New Dawn covers renewal costs. Support for professional designations and licensing fees may also be provided based on role requirements and divisional budgets.

Professional Development

New Dawn is committed to supporting employees in developing their skills, expanding their knowledge, and pursuing lifelong learning opportunities. Development of new position-relevant skills and perspectives creates a stronger, more informed, and modern organization. Employees are encouraged to explore professional development opportunities in collaboration with their manager.

Café Marie Discount

Employees are entitled to a staff discount at Café Marie, located in the Eltuek Arts Centre.

Corporate YMCA Membership Program

To support employee health and wellness, New Dawn offers a corporate membership in partnership with the Cape Breton YMCA. The corporate membership provides staff with a 12% discount on the cost of individual membership, and New Dawn covers 50% of the discounted individual membership cost.