Economic Mobility Specialist

Economic Mobility Specialist Salary $51,025.00 - $56,128.00 Annually

Location: Hampton, VA Job Type: Full-Time Permanent Job Number: 09171 Department: Economic Empowerment & Family Resilience Opening Date: 03/12/2026 Closing Date: 4/1/2026 11:59 PM Eastern FLSA: Non-Exempt

Description Benefits Questions Function

Are you passionate about helping individuals and families achieve financial independence and long-term stability? The Economic Empowerment Specialist plays a vital role in supporting community members on their journey toward economic mobility and personal growth. Working closely with a multidisciplinary network of partners and service providers, this position helps design and deliver programs that expand access to living-wage employment, build financial assets, and strengthen overall well-being.

Reporting to the Director of Economic Empowerment, this role operates with a high level of professional judgment and independence to assess needs, develop personalized mobility plans, and connect individuals with the resources necessary to thrive.

What You'll Do:

• Conduct comprehensive, holistic client assessments and develop customized economic mobility plans.
• Provide one-on-one strengths-based coaching focused on career advancement, financial capability, and personal growth.
• Connect clients to workforce training, employment pathways, budgeting tools, credit improvement strategies, and asset-building resources.
• Coordinate services with community partners and advocate to reduce systemic barriers.
• Facilitate workshops and group sessions on financial literacy, career readiness, and economic empowerment.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and contribute to program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts.
• Represent the program at outreach events and community resource fairs.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree or education and training equivalent to four years of college education in social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related degree with coursework related to counseling techniques, developmental psychology, motivational interviewing, and behavioral science.
• Requires at least two (2) years of experience working with Human Services agencies providing direct services to clients experiencing poverty or the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (A.L.I.C.E.) population.
• Education and/or experience in mental health, behavioral health, and goal setting preferred.
• Requires working knowledge of economic mobility best practices and demonstrated experience serving as a Life Coach.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered for this position.
• Life Coach Certification strongly preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton's criteria.
• Must successfully pass a background check before any offer of employment or promotion.
• Must successfully pass a Child Protective Services (CPS) and criminal background check related to this position before any offer of employment or promotion.

Additional Requirements

• Extensive contact with the general public, related agencies, community organizations, agency staff, and other City departments.
• Requires excellent customer service skills with the demonstrated ability to foster and maintain positive, effective working relationships with colleagues, partner agencies, and the public.
• Requires effective communication with internal and external customers.
• May be required to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Requires some local travel and use of a personal vehicle.
• The incumbent may be considered "essential personnel" during City emergencies or at the direction of the City Manager, which may include long hours and unusual schedules.

Benefits Overview

This is a summary of benefits associated with permanent, full-time positions. Benefits associated with other positions can be found with specific job listings. Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following one full calendar month of employment in the following benefit plans:

• Sentara Health Medical Insurance
• OptumRx Delta Dental Insurance
• Anthem Blue View Vision
• FSA Reimbursement accounts
• Standard: Accident and Critical Illness
• Trust Mark Universal Life Insurance
• Legal Resources Plan
• Virginia 529
• Mission Square: 457 / Roth IRS / Roth 457 (b) IRA
• Employees begin accruing annual and sick leave immediately.
• Other forms of leave include:
• Maternity Leave
• Parental Bonding Leave
• Care for Sick Parent Leave
• Birthday Leave
• Personal day (available every quarter)
• The eleven paid holidays each year include:
• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Employees birthday
• A tax deferred retirement plan 457 is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation.
• An after-tax retirement plan, Roth IRA, is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation (1-800-669-7400).
• For more information, see the VRS website.
• Group life insurance is offered through the VRS and the carrier is the Minnesota Life Insurance Company.
• Tax deferred retirement plan 457 is offered through the ICMA Retirement Corporation (1-800-669-7400).
• For more information, see the ICMA-RC website.

Training and Career Development

The Employee Education Assistance Program (EEAP) encourages employee development through (1) educational programs leading to a degree, (2) skilled craft or trade training leading to a certificate or license and (3) coursework to renew and update skills. Eligibility criteria apply. In addition, the City offers training opportunities in technological, leadership, supervisory, and other areas of government/business knowledge and skill development.

Medical/Dental and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts are offered on a pre-tax basis in order to reduce the amount of tax the employee pays.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is confidential and personal counseling service for the employee and their immediate family (757-363-6777, 1-800-899-8174 or Sentara EAP website.

Direct deposit into most banks is a convenient finance feature.

Savings bonds are available to the Citys workforce.

Employees are covered for Workers Compensation where appropriate.

Application Questions

01 Which option best describes you education background? (YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE WHERE THIS EXPERIENCE WAS OBTAINED.)

• High School diploma or GED
• Some college
• Bachelors degree or higher

02 Choose the option that defines your experience working with Human Services agencies providing direct services to clients experiencing poverty or the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (A.L.I.C.E.) population. (YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE WHERE THIS EXPERIENCE WAS OBTAINED.)

• No experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2-3 years of experience
• 4 or more years of experience

03 Do you possess a Life Coach Certification? (YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE WHERE THIS EXPERIENCE WAS OBTAINED.)

• Yes
• No

04 I understand that if selected for this position, I must successfully pass a criminal background check prior to any offer of employment or promotion.

• Yes
• No

05 I understand that this position will require the flexibility to work non-standard work hours that may include nights, weekends and holidays as needed. Are you willing to accept work during these times?

• Yes
• No

06 I understand that this position is non-exempt.

• Yes
• No

07 This position requires that you possess a valid driver's license and have and maintain a satisfactory driving record based on the City of Hampton's criteria. Failure to provide your driver's license number will prevent us from considering your application. Please confirm your driver's license number by entering it below:

08 I understand that this position may be considered essential/emergency personnel for purposes of emergency/crisis management to include being "on call" or responding to emergency situations during inclement weather and/or other job-related conditions.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer: City of Hampton Address: 22 Lincoln Street Hampton, Virginia, 23669 Phone: (757) 727-6407 Website: http://www.hampton.gov/hr