HUD Certified Housing Counselor

 The Journey Forward Housing Counseling Agency

HUD Certified Financial & Housing Counselor

Salary Range: $50,000-$55,000

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE

The HUD Certified Housing Counselor is responsible for conducting group education and housing counseling workshops and one-on-one financial and housing counseling services to The Journey Forward clients.  Housing Counselors provide expert advice customized to the client’s individual needs in order to address housing barriers and achieve housing goals. This process includes client intake, financial and affordability analysis, and an action plan. The position also includes administrative responsibilities such as collecting and reviewing client documents, file management, timely client data entry/tracking, monthly reporting and participation in community outreach. It is required that the Housing Counseling be HUD certified at the time of application. All individuals providing housing counseling by a HUD-approved housing counseling agency must be HUD certified; no exceptions.  This is a hybrid position with both virtual and in-office work schedules.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

§  Responsible for day-to-day client scheduling and delivery of housing counseling and education in areas of credit counseling, financial capacity building, homeless prevention, rental topics, pre-purchase, post purchase, delinquency and foreclosure prevention counseling.

§  Conduct financial analysis and affordability assessment based on information and documents provided by the client.

§  Create an Action Plan that supports and builds client’s financial capacity.

§  Engage with agency partners to provide supportive services related to financial and housing counseling.

§  Perform ongoing case management to provide service and problem-solving assistance.

§  Assist management with facilitating and developing homebuyer education, financial management, foreclosure prevention and pre/post- purchase workshops.

§  Facilitate group education workshops in accordance with HUD and agency standards. (Note: Some sessions held on evenings and weekends; however, flex time given as compensation for evening and weekend obligations).

§  Performs outreach and represents agency at events, seminars, and networking functions as needed.

§  Record all communications, and update log after each meeting or interaction with client/ lender for both (hard and electronic) file utilizing require client management system mPact Pro.

§  Conduct follow-ups via phone and/or email to determine whether or not the client is following their financial goal plan. The interaction with the client must be in a professional, responsive, helpful and positive manner.

§  Ensure all client files are securely stored and locked with all required documents and forms.

§  Collect Closing Disclosure statements once a client fulfills homeownership.

§  Prepare reports for management as required.

§  Participate in staff meetings, and trainings as scheduled.

 

COMPETENCIES

§  Position Knowledge

§  Initiative

§  Judgement

§  Integrity

§  Adaptability

§  Build Relationships

§  Reliability

§  Client Focus

§  Ethical Conduct

§  Problem Solving

 

SKILLS and EXPERIENCE

§  HUD Certification Required

§  Working experience with any aspect of the homeownership and post-purchase process: mortgage lending, realtor service, the closing of a mortgage loan, loan processing, and loan modification.

§  Experience providing case management to ensure client and program goals are met.

§  Computer proficiency with email software, Google Workspace, client management database   and uploading and downloading of documents.

§  Ability and willingness to learn new software and computer systems.

§  Maintain confidential correspondence, filing, telephone communication. Handle all correspondence confidential with respect to clients served. Prepare, maintain and process a variety of confidential correspondence, records and reports.

§  Public speaking and communication skills (written and verbal).

§  Ability to manage multiple tasks in a high-volume work environment.

§  Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

§  Attention to detail with excellent internal and external client-centered service skills.

§  Self-starter with skills that include a demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple assignments and tasks, and apply and comply with various policies and procedures.

§  Excellent telephone etiquette and ability to communicate in a courteous and professional manner.

§  General knowledge of the City of Chicago, Suburban Cook County and surrounding community areas and community resources.

§  Professional discretion is required for handling of documents and for client concerns.

§  Must demonstrate respect and appreciation for working in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural work environment.

§  Spanish Proficiency Preferred but not Required.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is a field role with a need to perform clerical and administrative duties in a physical office. Role requires extensive amount of mobility.

HOURS of WORK

Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Position requires the ability work on evenings and weekends as needed.

EDUCATION

Minimum Associate Degree from an accredited college, BA preferred.  HUD Housing Certification Required.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO STATEMENT

The Journey Forward (TJF) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of TJF to provide employment, compensation, and other benefits related to employment based on qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, military status or an unfavorable discharge from military service. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, this agency intends to comply fully with all federal and state laws.