Financial Empowerment Specialist

Competition #2026-282-CP	Financial Empowerment Specialist (2026-282-CP)
Employment Type:	Full Time, Bargaining Unit
Work Hours:	35 hours/week (Monday - Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Work Setting:	Primary Site: 815 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON Hybrid - Opportunity to work remotely after orientation & training period
Salary:	Internal J8 - $68,026.97/year
Application Deadline:	July 28, 2026 by 11:59 pm

Program Overview – Financial Empowerment, Community Programs
The Financial Empowerment (FE) Program serves to prevent, reduce, and alleviate poverty by directly addressing the financial barriers in the lives of our clients.  We provide free and unbiased financial counselling, education, and tax filing support to Torontonians who are living on a low income and who are unable to address these issues alone.  We are a program in constant development and expansion, actively pursuing opportunities to explore innovative methods, and produce research on best practices to maximize client impact.

The Financial Empowerment Specialist works as part of the Financial Empowerment team and performs the same core duties as the FE Social Worker, including financial empowerment counselling and financial case management, supporting the Income Tax Clinic and Financial Literacy Workshops. In addition to direct client service, the FE Specialist provides senior practice support to the FE team through case consultation, knowledge development, staff onboarding, and practice development.

What You Will Do

• Keep current on financial regulations, benefits, entitlements, and community resources relevant to people living on a low income in Toronto, including income security, benefits access, debt and credit management, budgeting, banking, saving, and retirement planning.
• Conduct research on new or changing benefits, policies, and resources, and develop and share relevant updates with the FE team. As needed, the FE Specialist will also develop new teaching tools, reference sheets, and presentation materials to share with the FE team.
• Use a client-centered and trauma-informed approach to address clients’ presenting financial concerns.
• Develop and implement service plans with clients based on clients’ goals.
• Undertake financial benefits eligibility assessments with clients.
• Help clients apply for government benefits and income supports.
• Problem solve and advocate for clients who have been denied government benefits and income supports.
• Prepare income tax returns and T1 adjustments.
• Keep current about the range of services available at WoodGreen and in other agencies.
• Provide clients with appropriate referrals to other resources (WoodGreen or external) to address additional needs as appropriate.
• Maintain a client caseload as assigned by program manager.
• Maintain records and keep up-to-date and accurate case notes on all clients.
• Serve as the primary internal practice resource for frontline social workers and FE Social Work staff who require consultation on challenging, unusual, or high-complexity cases.
• Act as the first line of escalation for complex or highly challenging client situations that require a higher level of expertise, advanced problem-solving, or systems knowledge.
• Develop, update, and deliver Financial Literacy and Skill-Building Workshops to both vulnerable client groups and for front line social service professionals.
• Provide consults on financial topics to other WoodGreen and external social service professionals.
• Support onboarding and training of new FE Social Work staff and contribute to the upskilling and ongoing development of existing team members.
• Support the onboarding, orientation, training, and practice development of social work and/or social service worker students.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and knowledge-sharing to FE Social Workers and other frontline staff.
• Where necessary, provide support on developmental components of Tax Clinic, including participating in meetings, providing input on design of service, assisting with development and delivery of volunteer training.  On occasion, this role may also provide direct tax shift coverage during periods of short staffing within the tax team.
• Support the recruiting, training, overseeing, and supporting volunteers and students, as assigned.
• Responsible for specific program development activities and special projects, as assigned by the Operations Manager (e.g., development of the Family Finance Clinic).
• Participate in strategic program planning and development activities, both within the Financial Empowerment program and with the larger Community Programs Unit.
• Support the administration of evaluation tools and the collection of statistical data required for the accountability of the program.
• Participate in team and unit meetings regularly, and promote the healthy functioning of the team and unit. Lead meetings where the Operations Manager is not able to attend, as requested.
• Responsible for representing the program on internal staff committees as directed by program manager.
• Perform other duties as assigned by program manager.

What You Bring to the Team

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with at least 5 years of relevant experience in the field. Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience working with clients living on a low income, providing financial counselling and income security/stabilization interventions.
• Currently a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), or willing and eligible to become registered upon hire.
• Certified Financial Counsellor under CAFE is an asset.

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience providing income support case work and/or financial problem solving to clients.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of the following systems, as they relate to clients living on a low income: provincial and federal income supports and benefits, Canadian income tax system, Canadian pension programs, banking system, credit and debt management systems.
• Sensitivity to the needs and challenges faced by our clients, and a desire to serve our community.
• Experience working from a client-centered, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive framework.
• Demonstrated initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement.
• Able to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative to follow tasks and projects through to completion.
• Demonstrated project management, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated leadership ability within a team setting, including mentorship skills, conflict resolution, consultation, and problem-solving.
• Experience onboarding, training, mentoring, and supporting staff and/or students with varied skill sets.
• Proven ability to carry out training and develop new workshops for clients and/or staff.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Comfortable providing services in the field using mobile technology (laptop, cell phone, cloud-based software).
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Comfortable working in an open office environment.
• Flexible with shift scheduling, including some evening and weekend shifts.

WoodGreen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our People & Culture representatives at [email protected] of the accommodation measures required. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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