Housing Counselor

The Housing Counselor provides individual pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention and intervention counseling, financial capability coaching, homebuyer education, and group education services. This position requires sound independent judgment, effective decision-making skills, strong organizational abilities, and a commitment to providing high-quality, client-centered services in accordance with organizational, HUD, and industry standards.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesHousing Counseling and Client Services

· Counsel and interview clients regarding their overall financial situation as it relates to homeownership, budgeting, debt reduction, credit rebuilding, mortgage readiness, and long-term financial stability.

· Assess each client’s housing and financial needs and provide appropriate education, counseling, referrals, and resources.

· Develop a realistic household budget and detailed individualized action plan for each counseling client.

· Assist clients in identifying and addressing barriers to sustainable homeownership and housing stability.

· Provide pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention and intervention counseling, financial capability coaching, and other housing counseling services as assigned.

· Maintain appropriate follow-up with clients and document progress toward established goals and action plan items.

· Provide clients with accurate, objective, and unbiased information that supports informed decision-making.

Documentation, Compliance, and Quality Assurance

· Create, maintain, and ensure the completion of client files in accordance with organization policies, funder requirements, organizational procedures, and applicable HUD guidelines.

· Maintain timely and accurate client records, counseling notes, action plans, budgets, disclosures, referrals, outcomes, and supporting documentation.

· Enter and maintain client information in the organization’s client management and reporting systems.

· Adhere to all requirements related to the confidentiality, privacy, security, and appropriate handling of client records and information.

· Perform counseling services in accordance with the HUD Housing Counseling Program requirements, the HUD Housing Counseling Handbook, applicable grant and contract requirements, and the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling.

· Support accurate and timely program reporting by maintaining complete and up-to-date client files and service records.

Homebuyer and Financial Education

· Assist with planning and facilitating homebuyer education, financial capability workshops, and other group education activities.

· Support workshop scheduling, participant communication, marketing, registration, logistics, and speaker coordination.

· Present educational information to groups in a clear, engaging, accurate, and approachable manner.

· Coordinate with community partners and subject-matter experts to enhance educational programming.

Outreach and Partnership Development

· Build and maintain collaborative relationships with lenders, real estate professionals, housing providers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners.

· Develop and strengthen referral relationships that connect clients to programs and services.

· Conduct community outreach and participate in events, workshops, presentations, and other activities designed to meet program and organizational goals.

· Represent the organization professionally in the community and promote the organization’s mission, programs, and services.

Program and Organizational Support

· Proactively manage workload, calendar, client appointments, follow-up activities, and program responsibilities to effectively serve clients and contribute to organizational goals.

· Work collaboratively with the Homeownership Program Manager and other team members to achieve program performance goals and contractual requirements.

· Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned that support the successful operation of the Homeownership Center and the organization’s overall mission.

· Participate in staff meetings, training, professional development, and organizational activities as required.

Certification Requirements

· Obtain and maintain HUD Housing Counselor Certification as required for the position.

· Obtain and maintain addtional certifications, as required by the organization.

· Participate in ongoing professional development and continuing education necessary to maintain required certifications and remain current on housing counseling practices, regulations, programs, and industry standards.

· Travel nationally, as required, to attend training, conferences, and professional development opportunities.

HUD Housing Counselor Certification is preferred at the time of hire but is not required. The selected candidate must be willing and able to obtain required certification within the timeframe established by employer.

Education and Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following qualifications:

· Associate degree in human services, business, finance, real estate, social services, or a related field; or

· At least two years of experience in banking, lending, housing counseling, real estate, financial services, or a related field and two years of experience working with individuals or families in need of assistance; or

· An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.

Preferred Experience

· Two or more years of housing counseling experience.

· Experience in mortgage lending, banking, real estate, financial coaching, foreclosure prevention, or homebuyer education.

· HUD Housing Counselor Certification.

· Experience working with low- and moderate-income households and first-time homebuyers.

· Bilingual proficiency is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

· Build collaborative and respectful relationships with colleagues, clients, partners, and community members representing diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, ages, and viewpoints.

· Work effectively within a team structure while also exercising independent judgment and managing an individual caseload.

· Navigate and manage conflict professionally and constructively.

· Understand housing, homeownership, financial capability, and economic self-sufficiency issues, as well as relevant community resources.

· Perform all duties with professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

· Organize complex information and communicate it in a clear, concise, and understandable manner.

· Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

· Present and facilitate information for groups in an engaging, approachable, and educational manner.

· Organize time, prioritize competing responsibilities, meet deadlines, and proactively manage a client caseload.

· Maintain accurate and detailed records.

· Use Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

· Learn and effectively use client management, reporting, and other technology systems.

Schedule and Travel

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week, on-site position. The Housing Counselor must be available to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and Saturdays, to accommodate client needs, homebuyer education classes, community outreach, and organizational events.

The position may require local and national travel for training, conferences, professional development, and activities necessary to obtain and maintain required certifications.

Compensation

$47,542–$61,012 per year, commensurate with education, certifications, relevant experience, and qualifications.

Benefits:

· Health insurance

· Dental insurance

· Vision insurance

· Paid time off

· Retirement plan

· 403(b) matching

· Flexible spending account

· Professional development and training opportunities

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing their relevant experience, qualifications, and interest in the Housing Counselor position.

Job Type: Full-Time
Experience: Housing Counseling – 2 years preferred
Certification: HUD Housing Counselor Certification – preferred
Work Location: In Person

Compensation:

Commensurate with experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $47,542.00 - $61,012.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Housing Counseling: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• HUD Housing Counselor Certificate (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $47,542 - $61,012