Housing Counselor 1 – Bilingual

Full Job Description
SDC does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of a person’s sex, race, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. *

Salary is commensurate with experience.

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:

• Provides counseling for multiple housing situations including: first time home buyer education, default and foreclosure and rental counseling.
• 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.
• Conduct orientation sessions for individuals seeking support.
• Counsel families referred by real estate brokers, banks, and other community partners, and assess them for any applicable grant resources.
• Maintains official records, and ensures compliance with agency, federal, state and local.
• Provides action plans and referrals to families to ensure housing goals are accomplished.
• Respond to emails and phone calls about the application process, which may include applicant and property eligibility, and gathering income and financial documents.
• Build relationships with lenders, realtors, and other professionals to develop referral sources.
• 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.

• Completes all necessary reports, data entry, and other documentation as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to CR-SDC rules and government regulations. Comply with data integrity and security policies.
• Recommend strategies for families to meet their financial goals, such as making budget adjustments, spending plans or adhering to in-debt management plans.
• 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.
• Conduct follow-up phone inquiries after program completion. Make referrals to other services as needed.

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

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.
• HUD Housing Counseling Certification preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.