Description

Scope:

Responsible for providing housing education and counseling services to current and potential homeowners or tenants to assist them in improving their housing conditions and in meeting the responsibilities of homeownership or tenancy.

Essential Functions

• Provide quality housing counseling and education services that align with the National Industry Standards for Housing Counseling and Education, Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA) Housing Education Program Guidelines, as well as the HUD Housing Counseling Handbook 7610.1 REV-5.
• Contribute to the design and facilitation of engaging, informative, and interactive homebuyer and financial capability workshops.
• Responsible for maintaining program interest forms, client intake, and workshop registration and confirmation.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the technicalities involving homeownership including but not limited to: predatory lending, default/foreclosure timelines, escrow analysis, and home retention programs.
• Ensure that homebuyers and homeowners have a solid understanding of mortgages and the closing process, budgeting, savings, and how to avoid predatory lending and foreclosure.
• Stay abreast of all program requirements across multiple funding sources, as well as state and federal initiatives to assist families to obtain or retain homeownership, and transition from homeownership.
• Conduct counseling sessions, collect and analyze client financial information, and maintain organized, compliant files.
• Determine eligibility for various down payment assistance programs by evaluating client debt to income ratios, credit history, and income.
• Determine eligibility for various foreclosure intervention strategies and programs.
• Document all counseling and file management activity using a secure, web-based application.
• Build and maintain valuable partnerships with community partners including lenders, realtors, and funders.
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations, company policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Maintain a positive attitude towards assigned work, clients, and staff, and a willingness to work with others.
• Perform work in a professional manner that upholds Wayne Metro’s Guiding Principles, policies, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Clerical: 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. This job operates in a professional office environment with a usually quiet noise level. This is largely a sedentary role and the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, frequently use hands, talk and hear.

Minimum Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in a human service, finance or business field, or a minimum of four years of experience in the field of real estate, mortgage lending, or a combination of education and experience that is similarly appropriate.
• Ability to obtain HUD Housing Counselor Certification.
• HUD Housing Counseling Certification preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of housing counseling practice as outlined in the HUD Housing Counseling Handbook 7610.1 REV-5.
• Knowledge of Southeast Michigan demographics, the needs of low-income persons, and services available to meet those needs.
• Working knowledge of basic internet applications and programs including Google Suite and Microsoft Office Word and Excel. The ability to learn and utilize the necessary programs for this position.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Good interpersonal and professional skills including but not limited to professional appearance, tact, punctuality, and dependability.
• Ability to provide services for those persons facing economic, social, health, age, and educational barriers.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment (as deemed necessary).
• Perform work in a manner that upholds Wayne Metro policies and procedures.

Licensing and Other Requirements:

• Valid identification and reliable transportation.
• Although the Covid-19 vaccination is no longer mandated, it is encouraged. Wayne Metro will always prioritize the safety of our staff and clients.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel to various sites.

Work Hours: Work to be scheduled Monday through Saturday with specific hours to be determined by program needs.