American Financial Solutions Jobs

Thank you for your interest in American Financial Solutions.  We are continuously recruiting for the following positions:

• Debt Resolution Specialist
• Client Support Specialist

Instructions: All applicants are required to complete an AFS application form and send it with their resume and cover letter to HR2@myfinancialgoals.org  Attention: Human Resources. 

Application Form (.doc)  *Important:  If you are using an Apple product, please save the application as a PDF prior to sending it to us.

AFS is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that provides Credit Counseling, Finance Education, Debt Management Plans, Bankruptcy Counseling, Homebuyer Counseling, and Student Loan Counseling.  Our mission is to empower people to improve the quality of their lives through financial education and counseling.  American Financial Solutions is a division of the North Seattle Community College Foundation.

American Financial Solutions (AFS) began operations in 1999 as a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Since then, we have helped over 500,000 clients repay over $10 billion of debt. We have achieved these incredible results by providing our clients financial lifelines in times of hardship through our educational, counseling, and debt management programs. Our ultimate goal is to empower our clients on their journey to financial freedom.

At the heart of our organization is our staff. AFS is recruiting frontline staff members in our Origination, Client Services, and Housing departments.

What makes working at AFS great?

• Being part of a team and company passionate about improving the financial lives of consumers in need.
• Enjoying a fun, supportive team and family-oriented work culture.
• Upon training, certification, and proven proficiency in the position, telecommuting opportunities are available.

Debt Resolution Specialist

General Purpose: Take inbound calls and face-to-face appointments from people who are in need of education and counseling related to their financial circumstances. Counsel clients to assist them in understanding personal financial problems in order to define goals, evaluate options, and develop realistic action plans to resolve their financial concerns. Refer clients to other agencies and organizations for services not provided by AFS. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor the call queue and answer incoming calls, return messages, and contact clients as required. 
  Provide appropriate credit counseling for all consumers seeking assistance. Identify the root cause of the client’s financial problem and provide options that could assist the client.
• Have thorough knowledge of counseling options, DMP eligibility, and how to assist people in making financially sound decisions.
  Offer educational resources to every client who contacts us.
• Set follow-up actions for all clients who call us for assistance and follow up in a timely manner.
• Record notes of interactions and changes for all counseling sessions within the client database system.
• Follows procedures outlined in the Counseling SOPs, Job Aids, and other instructions given by supervisors regarding financial counseling and education for the purpose of helping our clients successfully regain financial stability.
• Attend all mandatory meetings.
• Read and maintain a file of all distributed materials (emails, training, articles, etc.).
• Strictly adhere to NFCC Member Quality Standards for certification.
• Strictly adhere to the NFCC Member Quality Standards.
• Answer emails from clients.
• Answers all questions and concerns from counselors, coaches, admin personnel, managers, department heads, and the President in a timely, professional manner.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Thorough understanding of the AFS counseling, education, and Debt Management Plan programs and a thorough understanding of the ethics and values of AFS.
• Demonstrated flexibility for scheduling and daily responsibilities with an eagerness to learn new skills.
• Ability to apply learning strategies by selecting and using AFS training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the client’s situation.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to clearly and correctly respond to inquiries from clients and managers.
• Possess active and empathic listening skills to understand information and ideas.
• Able to document information by entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic format.
• Possess critical thinking skills to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to client problems.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret personal financial information and company correspondence.
• Skilled at persuading others to change their behavior and patterns.
• Possess interpersonal skills to be able to work well in a team environment and to establish and maintain relationships with clients, management staff, coworkers, and the general public. 

Experience, Education and Licensure 

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Prefer AA degree or higher  
• Typing skills (minimum 40 wpm)
• Computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office
• Obtain/maintain required counselor certification within the required time period
• Maintain continuing education credits. 

Benefits:

• Generous PTO and separate paid Sick Leave banks with rollover!
• Family-friendly schedule - No weekends!
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as low as $10/month
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Account available
• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• 7 paid Holidays and 3 additional personal days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• AFS provides extensive training and a learning environment where you can grow and succeed.

The salary range for this position is $24-$32 per hour, depending on duties, experience, tenure, and performance. The starting rate is $24 per hour. 

Client Support Specialist 

General Purpose: provide high-level assistance to counselors, creditor relations associates, clients, and managers in order to maintain account accuracy and client satisfaction. Takes inbound calls from active DMP clients and addresses client management issues. Contacts active clients to address account issues, and to conduct payment reminders, account reviews, and client follow-up in order to aid in the successful completion of the client’s DMP. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide multi-channel support for our active Debt Management Plan portfolio, addressing client inquiries, resolving account issues, and conducting payment reminders and account reviews.
• Efficiently manage inbound & outbound contacts from a national client base.
• Process follow-up transactions as assigned by other departments.
• Contact creditors to research account follow-up and resolve issues.
• Deliver A+ client service professionally and positively to aid in effectively managing the client’s DMP.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• A positive can-do attitude
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to deftly navigate a client database, MS Office programs, and type at a rate of 40 wpm (minimum)
• Exceptional multi-tasking skills and attention to detail 
• Strong research and account resolution skills
• Possess interpersonal skills to be able to work well in a team environment and to establish and maintain relationships.

Experience, Education and Licensure 

• High School Diploma or equivalent 
• Prefer AA degree or higher  
• Experience: Two years of experience assisting customers in a service/sales/banking environment preferred. Successful Client Support Specialists come from various backgrounds, most notably banking, customer service, sales, and collections.
• Obtain/maintain required counselor certification within the required time period 
• Ability to obtain the NFCC Credit Counselor Certification within 6 months of hire. 
• Maintain continuing education credits.

Benefits:

• Generous PTO and separate paid Sick Leave banks with rollover!
• Family-friendly schedule - No weekends!
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as low as $10/month
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Account available
• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• 7 paid Holidays and 3 additional personal days
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• AFS provides extensive training and a learning environment where you can grow and succeed.

The salary range for this position is $22-$30 per hour, depending on duties, experience, tenure, and performance. The starting rate is $22 per hour. 

A Career with AFS