Program Associate

TO APPLY: Email Cover Letter and Resume to Ann Rhodes at wrh1@wisconsinruralhousing.org

Pay Designation: $18 Hourly, Non-exempt

Hours: 40 hours a week, Full-time, Monday-Friday

Location: Hybrid- Barron, WI - must be in the office a minimum of 3 days a week

Travel Expectations: Travel required less than 10%

Direct Supervisor: Associate Director

Benefits package includes:

∙     Paid time off

∙     Holiday Pay

∙     Employer-sponsored life insurance

∙     Employer IRA contribution

∙     Annual Increases

****we do NOT offer health insurance****

Foundation for Rural Housing, Inc. (FRH) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

About FRH:

Foundation for Rural Housing, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve housing stability. The Associate Director is responsible for providing daily education, advocacy, and guidance to homeowners and/or tenants that are seeking critical assistance dollars in the State of Wisconsin and who are facing possible homelessness due to foreclosure or property tax liens.

Over time, this position would provide you with the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of many to assist them in acquiring financial security and secure housing. If you are someone who enjoys making a significant difference in the lives of others, this job is for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

    The following are general responsibilities for all FRH employees. These responsibilities may not apply to all positions. “Special projects” or other responsibilities, like but not limited to, website design, information technology, data research, surveys, reports, etc., may be part of an employee's position at any given time.

∙     Return phone calls daily

∙     Provide clients with an overview of various social service programs and facilitate appropriate referrals to other agencies

∙     Respond to inquiries from clients/landlords regarding the status of applications in a professional and ethical manner

∙     Record client information on the electronic client tracking system and maintain detailed client files

∙     Prepare approval/denial letters for clients with pertinent information

∙     Conduct community outreach, education, and partnership development as requested

∙     Assist with the preparation of monthly reports and provide written reports to the appropriate funding source regarding program accomplishments as requested by the Directors

∙     Observe all fair housing/equal opportunity regulations and laws and respond ethically.

∙     Other duties as assigned by the Directors

∙     Complete all required confidentiality training and other training as required by the Directors

∙     Must be flexible for special events

∙     FRH is an agency that focuses on community needs Statewide. This means that, at times, new grants and activities will be awarded that can alter an employee’s workflow. 

∙     Must be able to adapt to change.

∙     Must complete HUD Certification within 6 months of employment, virtual training

∙     Must complete 502 packaging training within 12 months of employment, virtual training

∙     Must complete ROMA training within 12 months of employment, virtual/onsite training

Must be able to work independently from the Associate and Executive Director while also partnering effectively and efficiently with the directors to accomplish the objectives of the organization and leadership of the staff.

FRH Core Values:

∙     Equity: Demonstrates a commitment to fairness and can tailor interactions and services to the unique needs of a person.

∙     Respect: Demonstrates a caring for others and the places around us by following through on promises and commitments.

Dignity: Treats other people (peers, clients, community members) as humans who are worthy of their time, energy, and service.

∙     Transformation: Ability to understand and navigate the change process to enhance services and rebuild just community systems.

FRH Essential Skills:

∙     Professionalism: Conduct, behavior, and attitude in the work environment reflect positively.

∙     Communication: Produces strong written documents, edits documents effectively, engages in effective verbal communication, and conducts effective group presentations.

∙     Teamwork & Interpersonal skills: Promotes a positive and fruitful work culture by working with and through others to support others to achieve goals.

∙     Quality of work product: Produces thoughtful, error-free work.

∙     Attendance and punctuality: Arrive and depart according to work schedule, achieves timely results, communicates planned or unplanned absences, and follows through on commitments.

∙     Problem solving: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyzes data to produce insights, and generates wise, actionable recommendations.

∙     External relations/customer service: Serves as an effective ambassador, builds connections, and maintains relationships with residents, community members, and clients. Maintain the highest level of confidentiality in REMOTE worksite

Supervision:

None

Additional Duties:

∙     Complete related work as assigned within the scope of responsibility and skill required for the job.

∙     Other related work as assigned within the scope of responsibility and skills required for this job.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the major functions of this position and are not intended to be a detailed description of all the work/functions that may be required.

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

∙     Not-for-profit and prior social service program experience preferred.

Language Skills:

∙     Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as policy 

∙     and procedure manuals, professional journals, technical procedures or regulations, and safety rules.

∙     An ability to effectively present information and respond to common inquiries or complaints

Mathematical Skills:

∙     Ability to translate numbers into required reports.

∙     Ability to develop budgets, understand financial statements, and interpret financial results.

Reasoning Ability:

∙     Ability to plan and visualize results of a range of complex projects, develop procedures to attain results within broad guidelines, and apply policies and practices to resolve problems independently.

∙     Ability to use analysis and judgment in the adaptation and interpretation of established practices and procedures to meet and prevent problems and situations within a defined role.

∙     The ability to assess complex participant needs and concerns and to collaborate with staff to develop and implement service delivery strategies.

∙     The ability to prioritize within an environment that includes multiple and competing deadlines.

∙     Ability to manage workflow in a range of diverse environments.

Technical Abilities:

∙     Competency using technology, including demonstrated skills in:

∙     Microsoft Office

∙     Wisconsin Service Point or HMIS (state database program).

∙     Rental markets in the service area, rental procedures, and tenants’ rights.

∙     Access to a reliable, insured motor vehicle.

∙     Wisconsin driver’s license.

∙     Working telephone.

Other skills and abilities:

∙     Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Community Action principles and cultural competency.

∙     Exceptional organization and communication skills.

∙     Proven ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced and demanding work environment.

∙     Strong analytical skills

∙     Proven ability to utilize and learn complex data management systems.

∙     Ability to maintain confidentiality of records/information.

∙     Ability to gather and interpret data, work effectively with low-income and professional groups, and express ideas clearly and objectively in oral and written form.

∙     Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

∙     Establish appropriate priorities and meet deadlines.

∙     Ability to manage in a continually changing environment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

∙     Hearing and speaking to exchange information.

∙     Specific vision requirements of the job include close and distance vision.

∙     Sitting or standing for extended periods

∙     Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.

∙     Kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies, lifting and carrying objects up to twenty-five pounds.

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

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The job description does not constitute an employment contract between Foundation for Rural Housing, Inc., and the employee and is subject to change by the agency as to the needs of the department and the requirements of the change of the job.