Information and Referral Specialist

Job Type

Full-time

Description

COULD THIS BE YOU?

Washington Homeownership Resource Center (WHRC) seeks a customer focused, collaborative, and self-motivated person to join our statewide team. Work from anywhere in Washington state to help increase access to homeownership resources and supports statewide.

The Information & Referral Specialist provides accurate, comprehensive information and referral services to callers on the Homeownership and Foreclosure Prevention Hotline. They also assist clients who reach out via our website.

WHO WE ARE:

WHRC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to increase and preserve homeownership in Washington State by serving as a hub for education, resources, and partnerships. Through our hotline, website, and statewide outreach, we provide clients with personalized information and referral to vetted homeownership supports, including homebuyer assistance programs, pre-purchase education and counseling, mortgage and property tax foreclosure intervention counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, owner-occupied repair assistance, other post-purchase education and assistance, legal aid, and credit counseling. We have operated the state’s official Foreclosure Prevention Hotline since 2011. WHRC is an equal opportunity employer and values the diversity each team member brings to our work.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Starting hourly rate is $26-27 per hour. WHRC staff are employees of Parkview Services and have all benefits afforded to Parkview employees, including access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and generous vacation and sick leave. WHRC staff also receive a monthly internet/technology stipend.

Language differential available for candidates who are bilingual and able to provide services in languages other than English.

Reports to: Information and Referral Manager

Location: Remote within Washington state; occasional travel and in-person meetings and outreach activities may be required. We strongly encourage applications from candidates located in counties across Washington state, particularly those outside of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, to help ensure broad statewide representation.

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM; occasional evening and weekend hours

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly Position

TO APPLY: Applicants must submit a resume and a writing sample. The writing sample may be a cover letter or another example of professional writing.

Application is open until filled, with priority given to applications received by Monday, April 20th.

Questions about this position? Feel free to send us an email jobs@homeownership-wa.org

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Answer the Homeownership and Foreclosure Prevention Hotline, providing information and referral services:
• Enter intake information into WHRC database
• Explain the foreclosure prevention process and homeowner rights and responsibilities
• Respond to a variety of inquiries ranging from homebuyer support, to home repair needs, scam and fraud prevention, natural disaster, property tax-related concerns, and more
• Assess caller needs and circumstances and refer to appropriate agencies and service providers
• Liaise with community-based agencies to ensure clients with additional challenges are connected to and served by those agencies
• Follow up with clients to resolve issues and collect feedback
• Ensure up-to-date, accurate, relevant referral information related to WHRC services:
• Research and compile up-to-date information on resources available to homebuyers and homeowners
• Conduct outreach to service providers statewide and update referral database, informational materials, and website
• Engage in community outreach statewide
• Together with colleagues and vendors, assist with enhancement of technologies necessary for information and referral services
• Run data queries and provide reports or other presentations to support WHRC reporting and outreach
• Participate in regular training as required to maintain all appropriate certifications and meet WHRC goals

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• High school or GED completed
• Ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English at fluent level; bilingual/multilingual applicants may be eligible to receive language pay differential.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint), intermediate level. Ability to learn and operate database and spreadsheet software. Comfort with AI office tools such as MS CoPilot.
• Ability to respond to people in crisis with patience and professionalism. Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries while interacting with compassion and empathy. Enthusiasm for working with clients, colleagues and partners with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• HUD Housing Counselor Certification Exam must be passed within 90 days of hire.

Parkview Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes in the importance of recognizing, respecting, and valuing differences in ethnicity, gender, color, age, race, religion, disability, national origin, and sexual orientation. Diversity includes an infinite range of individual unique characteristics and experiences, such as communication style, career path, life experience, educational background, geographic location, income level, marital status, military experience, parental status, and other variables that influence personal perspectives.

Salary Description

$26-27

WHRC staff are employees of Parkview Services and have all benefits afforded to Parkview employees, including access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and generous vacation and sick leave. WHRC staff also receive a monthly internet/technology stipend.

Language differential available for candidates who are bilingual and able to provide services in languages other than English.

• Ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English at fluent level; bilingual/multilingual applicants may be eligible to receive language pay differential.