STOP Incorporated POSTING DATE: April 9, 2024

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN UNTIL: Filled

Title: Housing Counselor

Supervisor: Vice President, Coordinated Housing and Supportive Services (CHSS)

Department: Coordinated Housing and Supportive Services (CHSS)

Hours: 40 hours per week Hourly Rate: $21 - $23.00 per hour (commensurate with experience)

Basic Function(s) The Housing Counselor works one-on-one with clients to coach and motivate them to achieve their goals for housing stability and financial opportunity with money management, credit, rental, home ownership, and foreclosure counseling. This position also conducts financial education and homebuyer education classes.

Responsibilities and Duties:

· Meets individually with clients to provide financial coaching and housing counseling, using HUD’s Housing Counseling Rules and Regulations as a guide.

· In accordance with the National Industry Standards for Home Ownership Counseling, performs homebuyer client intake, counseling, and follow-up on spending plan, credit, savings, and home purchase and financing processes.

· In accordance with National Industry Standards for Default and Foreclosure Counseling, performs default client intake, counseling, and follow-up on spending plan, credit improvements, and savings plans.

· Timely client tracking via Counselor Max database and the HUD Housing Counseling System.

· Participates in local area community outreach (i.e., presentations, fairs, etc.,)

· In accordance with grant requirements, assists with quarterly and annual reporting to various funders.

· Coordinates and conducts monthly financial and homebuyer education workshops.

· Develops referral sources by building relationships with lenders, realtors and others working including attendance at twice-yearly VAHDC conferences.

· Assists with and/or initiate marketing activities that will fulfill our advertising goals for program services.

· Actively participates in monthly quality and process reviews to improve the effectiveness of housing counseling services. Provides feedback and suggestions related to improvements as needed or requested.

· Assists with establishing and updating processes for the delivery of counseling services.

· Reviews and complies with the terms and requirements of contracts and agreements.

· Maintains Housing Counselor certification during tenure.

· Becomes certified as a Financial Coach within 12 months of employment.

· Attends staff meetings and training as required.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Strong understanding of home purchase and financing process.

· Solid understanding of the default foreclosure process

· Ability to interact in a professional manner with potential homebuyers, community partners, and homebuyer education professionals.

· Exceptional interpersonal skills and human relation skills that positively benefit interactions with co-workers, internal and external clientele.

· Ability to exercise good judgment and positive self-control.

· Good comprehension skills, with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through verbal communication.

· Effective oral and written communication skills with individuals at all levels.

· Must be detailed oriented, able plan, prioritize, organize, multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

· Enthusiasm, good attitude, trustworthiness, personal integrity, and honesty.

· Ability to work autonomously and understand when a superior needs to be involved in decisions.

· Ability to analyze information, evaluate results, and implement the best solution to resolve problems or challenges.

· Self-motivated, with an ability and dedication to learn new skills quickly, keep up to date technically, and apply new knowledge to your job.

· Demonstrated ability to operate safely in the workplace, with experience in holding peers accountable to safety standards.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree or experience/education equivalent.

· Current housing counselor certification OR demonstrated ability to receive applicable training to obtain such certification.

· At least 2 years of experience OR training in housing counseling or related field. Strong computer skills, with working knowledge of the primary Microsoft Office programs.

· Ability to successfully pass a background check and other pre-employment screenings.

Physical Requirements:

· Able to lift & carry items up to 15 lbs.

· Able to sit at a desk comfortably while working on a computer, for extended periods of time.

· Able to hear and speak to customers in person and/or by phone.

· Able to see and read on computer screen and paper.

· Able to use hands and fingers to operate office equipment such as a computer, copier, phone etc.

· Ability to stand for extended periods of time; approximately 3 hours at a time, with breaks.

FOR MAILING: Send all resumes and references addressed to: Human Resources with the envelope labeled, “Resume and References for Housing Counselor”, printed on the front.

HAND DELIVERIES: Resumes and references will be accepted in a sealed envelope, labeled “Resume and References for Housing Counselor”, printed on the front, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm only, Monday through Friday, with the exception of required Agency closures and designated holidays.

FOR EMAILING: Send all resumes and references to: humanresources@stopinc.org

The subject line must state, “Resume and References Attached for Housing Counselor”.

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

STOP Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, Veteran status, age, national origin or disability. Applicants who need accommodations for an interview should request this in advance. All candidates are subject to a criminal history background check and drug testing before being offered employment.

STOP Inc. MISSION: With the assistance of community partners, reduce the effects of poverty by assisting low and moderate wage earners and economically disadvantaged residents of Eastern Virginia achieve self-sufficiency through program and service initiatives which encompass education, employment, housing and health for the improvement of their quality of life.

STOP Inc. VISION: Is to be one of the premier Community Action Programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia entrusted to provide quality programs and services that have a transformational impact on low and moderate income residents and the community.

STOP Inc. CORE VALUES & PRINCIPLES: Coordination, Competence, Dignity, Diversity, Flexibility, Immediacy, Integrity, Leadership, Optimism, Respect

THE COMMUNITY ACTION PROMISE: Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Creating Opportunities One Life at a Time, One Family at a Time, One Community at a Time!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Virginia Beach, VA 23455: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Virginia Beach, VA 23455