Housing Counselor 1

Description
Job Purpose:  The Housing Counselor is  responsible for providing housing counseling and education to prospective  first-time homebuyers and homeowners in distress. The Housing Counselor will provide comprehensive pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention/intervention counseling, financial coaching, homebuyer education, and group education services. Additionally, the position is responsible for providing information and guidance to families that will enable them to  meet their housing goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

1.      Provides counseling for multiple housing situations including: first time home buyer education, default and foreclosure and rental counseling.

2.      Counsel and interview customers with respect to their overall financial situation as it relates to foreclosure prevention, home ownership, budgeting, debt reduction, credit re-building and education.

3.      Conduct orientation sessions for individuals seeking support.

4.      Counsel families referred by real estate brokers, banks, and other community partners, and assess them for any    applicable grant resources

5.      Maintains  official  records  and  documents,  and  ensures  compliance  with  agency, federal, state and local  regulations.

6.      Provides action plans and referrals to families to ensure housing goals are accomplished.

7.      Respond to emails and phone calls about the application process, which may include applicant and property eligibility, and gathering income and financial documents.

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

9.      Facilitate educational workshops to educate customers on various issues including but not be limited to: fair housing, home maintenance, money management, the mortgage process, etc.

Participate in staff meetings to review applications and coordinate processes.

10.   Completes all necessary reports, data entry, and other documentation as required.

11.   Maintain confidentiality and adhere to CR-SDC rules and government regulations. Comply with data integrity and security policies.

12.   Recommend strategies for families to meet their financial goals, such as making budget adjustments, spending plans or adhering to in-debt management plans.

13.   Guide and explain services or policies to families, such as program rules, and the advantages and disadvantages of using services to help determine the best type of loan.

14.   Conduct follow-up phone inquiries after program completion. Make referrals to other services as needed.

15.   Assists the Program Supervisor with special projects as assigned and other tasks deemed necessary to achieve overall goals and operate a successful program.

Skills/qualifications:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, funders, partners, government officials and the general public.
• Interviewing skills for the purpose of gathering and verifying pertinent information for the completion of forms; perform basic mathematical computations, interpreting rules and regulations and reviewing forms or documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Excellent case management skills, especially with the low-to-moderate income population.
• Ability to work with customers on an individual basis and in groups.
• Strong ability to meet aggressive performance goals for program services.
• Strong ability to manage a large and diverse pool of customers at different stages of the home buying processes.
• Excellent customer service skills with a professional demeanor and networking skills.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision.
• Intermediate to advanced computer and data entry skills including spreadsheets and automated data systems.
• Highly developed conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of written or verbal information.
• Ability to adapt instructional/training methods based on customer population.
• Ability to work in a fast paced diverse environment and to find the resources to assist the customer.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively. Use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses, alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license in good standing with access to reliable transportation, licensed, insured driver and transportation and have personal liability auto insurance in good standing.

SDC’s insurance company requires that any employee who drives a personal vehicle for agency business must carry personal liability insurance.

Requirements
Experience/Education/Training/Certifications:  

• Associate’s Degree AND/OR two (2) years of demonstrated success within the housing credit counseling, non-profit, financial services or banking industry.  Must have or become certified in Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Counseling within one (1) year of employment.
• Bilingual in Spanish
• HUD Housing Counseling Certification preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred