Homeownership Program Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Homeownership Program Specialist advances Habitat Chicago’s mission by guiding prospective and current homebuyers through the Affordable Homeownership Program (AHP) and related initiatives. This role manages the full participant journey, ensuring individuals are informed, prepared, and supported from recruitment and application through closing and ongoing homeownership. The Specialist fosters strong relationships, connects homeowners to neighborhood networks, and integrates educational resources to promote both individual success and community health.

This position is ideal for a detail-oriented, mission-driven professional with strong communication, project management, and interpersonal skills who thrives in a collaborative, people-centered environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Key Responsibility: Program Delivery and Participant Support (60%)

The Specialist contributes to the daily operations of Habitat Chicago’s Homeownership Programs and related initiatives, providing participants with guidance, tools, and resources to successfully purchase and maintain their homes. They support participants through each stage of the homebuying journey—outreach and recruitment, application intake and evaluation, orientation, coaching, closing, and post-purchase support—while ensuring compliance with fair housing, lending, and regulatory standards, The Specialist prioritizes relationship-building, clear communication, and participant privacy, while continuously refining program processes to enhance access, engagement, and outcomes.

Program Design, Evaluation, and Data Management (25%)

The Specialist contributes to the continuous improvement of program design and execution by gathering and analyzing data to evaluate impact, track participant progress, streamline processes for efficiency and accessibility, and ensure program compliance. They generate reports to inform program improvements, identify trends and opportunities, and implement process enhancements that increase efficiency, participant engagement, and neighborhood impact. The Specialist works cross-departmentally to identify best practices and implement strategies that enhance the overall experience and success of homebuyers.

Collaboration and Community Engagement (15%)

The Specialist serves as a bridge between homebuyers, community partners, and Habitat Chicago’s teams. They collaborate with internal teams to inform home design and marketing strategies, deliver tailored educational programming, integrate new homeowners into community networks, identify opportunities to diversify applicant pipelines, and represent Habitat Chicago in community outreach events, strengthening connections across the organization and community.

Organizational Expectation: Leadership and Teamwork

As a member of the Habitat Chicago team, the Specialist contributes to a collaborative, value-driven organizational culture. They maintain a team-first mindset, support colleagues across departments, and participate in organization-wide events and initiatives as needed. The role requires consistent engagement with volunteers, staff, donors, customers, community partners, and program participants, modeling excellent customer service, communication, and mission-driven professionalism in all interactions.

Organizational Expectation: Professional growth and skill development:

The Specialist embraces opportunities for continual growth and adapts to evolving business needs. They demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges and tasks by contributing to special projects and initiatives as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Advanced communication abilities, including public speaking, coaching, listening, and negotiation.
• Strong project management, program development, and data management skills.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Basic math proficiency for accurate calculations and lending scenarios.
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical handling of sensitive information.
• High computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
• Ability and willingness to secure and maintain a Mortgage Loan Originator status as required by Habitat for Humanity International or the State of Illinois.
• Familiarity with Chicago’s housing landscape, including community-based organizations and affordability initiatives.

We’d love it if you had these qualifications, but they’re not dealbreakers.

• Understanding of housing market trends, mortgage origination, and housing counseling.
• Experience applying community development strategies.
• Knowledge of adult education principles and curriculum design.
• Familiarity with Habitat for Humanity’s mission and programs.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience with Salesforce, or similar platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, social work, or a related field; may be substituted with two years of relevant experience in real estate, construction, banking, or title/escrow
• Minimum two years of experience coordinating or administering affordable housing programs.
• Minimum two years of professional experience in counseling, adult education, or program development preferred.
• Minimum two years of management or supervisory experience (employees, volunteers, students, etc.).

Even if you don’t meet all the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply if this is a role that gets you excited. Let us know what you bring to the table that we may be overlooking.

POSITION DETAILS

Reports To: Homeownership Programs Manager

Hours: Full-time; 8am-4pm plus evening and weekend meetings as required.

Environment: The Habitat Chicago office is located at 111 W Jackson Blvd in Chicago. It is accessible by car and public transit. This position will have a desk, laptop computer, and phone line in an open office environment.

Conditions: Must be able to lift 25 pounds and work at a computer for long periods of time.

Compensation: Salaried position ranging from $53,000- $58,000 a year, depending on experience. 30+ vacation/sick/personal days per year. 90% employer

paid health insurance; access to dental, vision, life and 401k plans.

FLSA Status: This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It does not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Onboarding: The position will begin with an onboarding period to become familiar with the organization’s work and policies; they will be trained on the specifics of the role through a combination of in-person, online and written trainings and will be expected to take the initiative to review materials as needed and seek understanding of new developments in order to perform their responsibilities.

HOW TO APPLY:

By email: Please submit compelling cover letter and resume to careers@habitatchicago.org with “Homeownership Programs Specialist – Your Name” in the subject line by 2/13/2026. Successful applicants will be contacted for interviews.

Online: Visit https://habitatchicago.jobs.flair.hr/ to complete an application.

MISSION | What We Do:

Habitat for Humanity Chicago (“Habitat Chicago”) is a nonprofit organization that works to champion healthy neighborhoods by investing in resident priorities, supporting homeownership and building quality homes. We believe in a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and we invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to work towards this vision together in our three focus neighborhoods of West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, and Austin.

CORE VALUES | Who We Are:

• Mission Driven: Mission first. We center neighborhood priorities in our relationships, decisions, and actions to advance our shared goals of affordable homeownership and neighborhood health.
• Collaboration: We are stronger together. We encourage, welcome, and integrate varied perspectives with intention.
• Adaptability: We listen and adjust. We are curious about and responsive to change, and innovative in our solutions.
• Trust: We do what we say we will do. We engage in relationships honestly and with integrity, holding ourselves accountable for our decisions and actions as a reliable partner/presence.
• Equity: We promote access and opportunity. We value diversity, create inclusive spaces, and tailor efforts to prioritize practices and resources that meet unique needs, disrupting the harm of racism and other systems of oppression.
• Respect: We listen to foster understanding. We recognize the inherent worth and value of every individual and honor the various gifts, talents, and perspectives each person brings.

Habitat for Humanity Chicago values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Habitat for Humanity Chicago is an equal opportunity employer. This organization does not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability status, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.