Housing Counselor

Summary:  The Housing Counselor provides comprehensive, individualized pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention and intervention counseling, financial capabilities coaching, homebuyer education, and group education services.  This position requires HUD certification and the use of independent judgement and decision-making skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•       Counsel and interview clients with respect to their overall financial situation as it relates to homeownership, budgeting, debt reduction, credit rebuilding and financial education.

•       Create a budget and a detailed action plan for all clients.

•       Create and ensure completion of a client’s file per organizational and HUD guidelines.

•       Adhere to all guidelines related to the confidentiality of client records and information and requirements per the HUD Housing Counseling Handbook and National Industry Standards for Homebuyer Education and Counseling.

•       Proactively manage workload, calendar, and client appointments to help meet the goals of the organization and serve the client effectively.

•       Advise rental counseling clients on Fair Housing, Tenant/Landlord relations, rights, and responsibilities and make referrals to appropriate legal aid or other resources as needed.

•       Assist with facilitating education workshops, including scheduling, marketing, and procuring speakers.

•       Build relationships with lenders, realtors, and other professionals to develop referral sources.

•       Work to involve all clients in all other related NHSNB services and encourage all clients to make referrals to friends and family to come for services.

• Maintain HUD certification as a Housing Counselor; obtain and keep NCHEC certification in at least two disciplines.

•       Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

•       Associate of Arts degree in business, finance, or related field

•       Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Homeownership Counselor required.

•       HUD exam certification required.  Must present certificate with job application.

•       An understanding of affordable housing and the needs of low-, moderate-income families.

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

•      Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

•       Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Power Point, and Excel.  Detail oriented with ability to organize complex material in clear, concise manner.

•       Excellent customer services skills, including phone skills, social skills, and the ability to relate well to people of varying ethnic and economic backgrounds.

•      Ability to communicate in Spanish required.