The Housing and Financial Counselor will be responsible for providing counseling services for clients of the program, including housing counseling, financial counseling and coaching, and consumer credit counseling.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist individuals and families in identifying goals and objectives required for effective management of their financial resources and/or meeting their housing needs
- Provide housing and/or financial counseling for clients seeking assistance with landlord/tenant matters, foreclosure prevention, financial management, home purchase, and credit management
- Conduct group education on various topics including financial management, homeownership, and foreclosure prevention
- Screen potential applicants to determine eligibility for service and schedule appointments for assistance
- Provide follow-up case management for clients as necessary and in accordance with the client’s action plan
- Accurately record client data in the appropriate client management system and maintain case files for all clients in accordance with agency and HUD standards
- Assist with providing guidance and support for volunteer staff
- Submit approved financial assistance applications to accounting for payment processing and mail payments to vendors at the end of each week
- Assist in maintaining HUD compliance and agency accreditation through accurate file management and submission of required reports to appropriate agencies
- Maintain relationship with vendors and other agencies in the housing counseling and financial assistance networks
- Maintain accurate and current information about resources in the community and make referrals to appropriate agencies for services which the program cannot meet
- Monitor and adhere to financial assistance budgets
- Maintain knowledge of housing and financial counseling industry standards and ensure department practices maintain compliance
- Represent the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills
- Utilize a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree preferred with one year of related experience
- HUD Housing Counseling Certification required within 30 days of hire.
Note: Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.