Financial Counselor/MRS

At VyStar, we offer competitive pay, an excellent benefit package that includes a 401(k) Plan, an extensive paid technical and on-the-job training program, and tuition reimbursement--available to all full and part time employees. Part time positions start at a minimum of 30 hours per week.

We encourage you to become a part of VyStar Credit Union's family of employees.

****Prior active duty military experience or the spouse of a prior active duty military member is highly preferred****.

• Maintains close liaison with Personnel Support Detachment (PSD), Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), Fleet and Family Services Center (FFSC), Retired Affairs Office (RAO), and Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) in order to provide eligible members with the most current and beneficial information available in order to meet their financial needs.
• Participates in military command indoctrination programs and seminars to educate personnel on personal financial management and financial services. Coordinates with FFSC in supporting Command Financial Specialist and Transition Assistance Programs.
• Acts as military advocate and liaison; coordinates VyStar's Sailor of the Quarter and Sailor of the Year savings bond award programs. Coordinates VyStar's participation in the annual Military Saves Week and Military Youth Saves Week campaigns. Assists with the annual Junior ROTC VyStar Leadership award program.
• Assists the Collection department by researching and providing military points of contact and addresses for delinquent military members.
• Provides eligible members guidance and information on Survivor Benefit Plans, military health care, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and Pay on Death benefits and issues.
• Provides a full range of financial counseling services and assists members through the Money Makeover program, educate members regarding sound financial principles, assists members in the process of overcoming financial indebtedness, help members identify and modify ineffective money management behaviors, guide members in developing successful strategies for achieving their financial goals, support members as they work through their financial challenges and opportunities, help members develop new perspective on the dynamics of money in relation to family, friends and individual self-esteem, assists in the preparation of budgets and financial plans, and provides monitoring and follow-up. Refers those members with extreme financial challenges to BALANCE.
• Effectively interviews members and potential members independently. Asks questions and listens carefully to determine the appropriate VyStar Credit Union and VyStar Financial Group products and services to offer. Presents products and services in a positive, professional and knowledgeable manner, so inquiring individuals can make an informed decision.
• Supports VyStar's mission to become the primary financial institution of our members by providing service in an expeditious and courteous manner. Understands that educating our members and informing them of the products and services we have to offer is the highest level of service we can provide and the key to accomplishing our mission and goals. Strives to meet individual goals by effectively cross selling products and services.
• Opens new savings, checking and money market accounts. Verifies personal identification to prevent fraudulent activity. Provides regulatory disclosure information on new and other specific types of accounts.
• Processes loan applications for credit cards, lines of credit and signature loans for debt consolidation or other reasons. Processes auto loans including VIPs, refinances and individual sales. Also processes applications for share and certificate secured loans.
• Has a thorough understanding of credit reports and VyStar's loan plan agreement for discussion with members. Effectively cross-sells all loan products.
• Processes loans for all types of luxury items. Particularly more complicated loans for luxury items such as loans for large boats and recreational vehicles.
• Exercises authority to appeal loan decisions on applications they have processed.
• Performs loan maintenance as necessary.
• Assists members with closing loans already approved (loan pick-ups). This includes reviewing the application with the member to ensure information is accurate, obtaining pending items and updating the Appro System with the requested information prior to sending the loan to the disbursement queue. The incumbent must also have a complete understanding and familiarity with closing documents for the various types of loans to review with the member prior to obtaining the member's signature.
• Purchases, renews and redeems certificates of deposit. Performs certificate maintenance as required and rate increases for step-up certificates. Must understand and be able to discuss Truth in Savings disclosure information and provide regulatory disclosures to the members. Incumbent must also be able to inform members of the various terms available and assist in helping them decide which term is best for them.

• Counsels members on financial matters, e.g. loans, investments and services to enhance full use of credit union services.
• Opens business accounts and assists members with all business services with the exception of business loans. Refers business loan prospects to the Business Services department.

• Opens and performs all transactions on IRAs, FLUTMA and Trust accounts.
• Handles the processing and closing of deceased accounts.
• Processes fraud and forgery claims and card disputes.
• Performs account maintenance, which includes but is not limited to: changes to members personal information such as address and telephone numbers, name changes due to marriage, divorce, etc., adding and removing joint members, check ordering and issuing temporary checks, setting up Magic*Touch and assists with Internet Banking enrollment. Performs ACH and check stop payments. Sets up automatic transfers and cancels or changes them as requested.
• Orders plastics such as ATM, VISA Check Cards and replacement credit cards. Also, orders pin numbers for plastics and performs pin changes as requested.
• Assists members with setting up, changing or discontinuing direct deposit.
• Purchases and redeems savings bonds, sells travelers checks, documents wire transfers and issues cash advances as requested. May assist in the Teller department, as required.
• Resolves member problems independently. Escalates more complex problems or situations to a higher authority for appropriate resolution.
• Refunds fees within authority granted.
• Closes accounts as requested by members after careful review and discussion to prevent negative impact to the member and/or VyStar.
• Provides notary service to members. Incumbents are expected to become a notary upon successful completion of the probationary period, which requires completion of an online course and application with the State of Florida.
• Opens and closes safe deposit boxes for members. Escorts members to their safe deposit box for entry. Strict adherence to safe deposit box procedures is imperative and expected.
• Opens, closes and balances a cash drawer on a daily basis as required by the branch. Ensures that checks deposited and official checks issued balance daily. Films documents as required.
• Acts as a Branch Receptionist as assigned.
• Assists the Member Relationship Specialist Supervisor with duties and special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned, including Teller duties as career building activities and to assist the branch as needed.
• Incumbent is expected to demonstrate each of the following VyStar Excellence behaviors in performing the duties and responsibilities of their job.

• Focus Focus your full attention by carefully listening to and observing your client or member.

• Connect Consistently be friendly and approachable. Demonstrate you care.

• Understand Listen empathetically and ask questions. (70%/30%)

• Counsel Recommend solutions based on your client's or member's needs and objectives.

• Advance Ensure that member's expectations were exceeded.

Verify necessary follow-up action.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Military and/or civil service experience is required.
• A minimum of three years experience in a position of direct member/customer contact is required. Experience with a financial institution is preferred. A two year Associates Degree or four year undergraduate degree may be substituted in lieu of the experience requirement.
• Successful completion of a formal Financial Counselor Certification Program approved by the credit union such as the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). This certification must be completed within twelve months in position.
• Complete Annual Continuing Education Requirements to maintain Financial Counselor Certification.
• Successful completion of MRS III certification or its equivalent is required.

• Ability to process financial transactions.
• Must possess and utilize excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Must possess and utilize excellent listening skills.
• Must possess and utilize excellent telephone skills.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Must be knowledgeable in the use of the Internet.
• An outgoing personality and the desire to help people.
• Must be professional in appearance and attitude.

EDUCATION

• An Associate's Degree is required and a four-year Undergraduate Degree is preferred. Work experience equal to four years of financial counseling experience may be substituted for the educational requirement.

DISCLAIMERS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Nothing in this position description is an implied contract for employment. The position description is intended to be an accurate account of the essential functions. The functions are not all encompassing and are subject to change at any time by management.

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As required or requested, may exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

VyStar Credit Union is not seeking outside assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms for employment or contractor opportunities. Any resumes submitted by an outside vendor to any employee at VyStar via e-mail, internet, or directly to hiring managers without a valid written search agreement with the Talent Acquisition / HR department will be deemed the sole property of VyStar Credit Union.

No placement fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of the referral, or through other means.

Thank you for your inquiry regarding our current job opening. Your resume will be carefully reviewed against the position requirements. Should your experience and skills match, you will be contacted by one of our Human Resources department staff members.

Thank you again for your interest in this position!

VyStar Credit Union Human Resources