YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Housing Counselor
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
POSITION TITLE: Housing Counselor – HC
SUMMARY:
The Housing Counselor is responsible for conducting homebuyer education and financial education workshops, housing counseling (includes pre-purchase, rental, and default foreclosure) and credit counseling services, including administrative responsibilities such as intake, tracking data input, monthly reporting, and participation in community outreach. It is preferred that the Housing Counseling be HUD certified at the time of application or no later than 90 days of hire.COLLABORATES WITH:
The Housing Counselor – HC manages relationships with the Financial Inclusion and overall Economic Empowerment staff, YWCA program members, other YWCA staff members, and community representatives.ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary Responsibilities:
The Housing Counselor is responsible for providing housing counseling and education to prospective first-time homebuyers, existing homeowners, and homeowners in distress. The Housing Counselor will focus on helping clients build financial capacity through credit counseling, which includes financial capacity building for pre-purchase, post-purchase, and foreclosure prevention. Provide client assessments that enable the client to make informed decisions regarding their housing choices.Member Contact:
Educate clients and prospective clients about the available Financial Inclusion services, Economic Empowerment Services, and greater YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Services. Assist members with completion of required forms and assessments. Conduct member screening to evaluate the need for immediate support and to facilitate referral and linkage to appropriate community services. Use appropriate judgment in upward communication regarding client or member concerns.Administrative Duties:
Record all communications and update log after each meeting or interaction with client/lender for both (hard and electronic) file utilizing required client management system – mPact Pro. Conduct follow-ups via phone and/or email to determine whether the client is following their financial goal plan. The interaction with the client should always 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.Office Management:
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following areas:- Responsible for day-to-day client scheduling and delivery of homeownership counseling and education in credit counseling, financial capacity building, pre-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 the client’s financial capacity.- Perform on-going case management to provide service and problem-solving assistance.- Assist management with facilitating homebuyer’s education and post-purchase workshops.- Participate in group education workshops at least once a month in accordance with U.S. HUD standards. (Note: Sessions held on evenings and weekends)Represent 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 required client management system – mPact Pro.- Conduct follow-ups via phone and/or email to determine whether the client is following their financial goal plan. The interaction with the client should always 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.
NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participate in staff meetings and training as scheduled.OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED:
Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned, whether for a project, special needs task, or other assignment.QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated skills, strong knowledge, and experience in the following areas:- Working experience with any aspect of the homeownership and post-purchase process: mortgage lending, realtor service, closing of a mortgage loan, loan processing, and loan modification.- Must hold a HUD Certified Housing Counselor certificate or become certified within 90 days of employment.- Computer proficiency with email software, Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook, client management databases, and uploading and downloading of documents.- Proficiency with spreadsheets and internet search applications are necessary.- Ability and willingness to learn new software and computer systems.- 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 customer service skills.- Experience and/or certification as a housing counselor, loan processor, or financial educator is a plus.- Minimum Associate Degree from an accredited college, BA preferred.- **Bilingual Spanish speaking is preferable but not required**The position requires a proactive self-starter and skills that include: a demonstrated ability to work independently; to handle multiple assignments and tasks; and to apply and comply with various policies and procedures. Good telephone etiquette and ability to communicate in a courteous and professional manner are necessary for the role. An intermediate level of skills with MS Office and Outlook are required, skills with database management. A general knowledge of community resources is desirable. Discretion is required for handling documents and for member concerns. Demonstrated respect and appreciation for working in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural work environment must be evident. The Housing Counselor must be able to work effectively with members who may show stress and impatience.Professional Training Required:
Must be compliant to offer both pre-purchase and foreclosure counseling.*Note:
A bilingual Housing Counselor who works with a foreign language-speaking community must demonstrate cultural competency with that community and fluency in both English and the community’s language (oral and written).EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Minimum Associate's Degree from an accredited college, BA preferred.CERTIFICATION(s) REQUIRED:
HUD Housing Counseling Certification; if not secured upon hiring, the candidate must agree to receive certification no later than within the first 90 days of employment.OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
N/A.WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment includes remote working two days per week. While in the office, the noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking, stooping, or kneeling. There may be a need to reach, lift, or move objects, such as packages, supplies, and computers. Normal (or corrected) vision range; the ability to see color and to distinguish letters, numbers, and symbols are necessary for the work, which may require close viewing. Occasionally may need to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Communication needs include seeing, hearing, and speaking. While working remotely and/or in the office, there will be periods of sitting, holding a telephone, and using computers. Reasonable accommodations will be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.WORK SCHEDULE:
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. This position may require work on some evenings and weekends. Schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency.
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SUMMARY:
The Housing Counselor is responsible for conducting homebuyer education and financial education workshops, housing counseling (includes pre-purchase, rental, and default foreclosure) and credit counseling services, including administrative responsibilities such as intake, tracking data input, monthly reporting, and participation in community outreach. It is preferred that the Housing Counseling be HUD certified at the time of application or no later than 90 days of hire.COLLABORATES WITH:
The Housing Counselor – HC manages relationships with the Financial Inclusion and overall Economic Empowerment staff, YWCA program members, other YWCA staff members, and community representatives.ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary Responsibilities:
The Housing Counselor is responsible for providing housing counseling and education to prospective first-time homebuyers, existing homeowners, and homeowners in distress. The Housing Counselor will focus on helping clients build financial capacity through credit counseling, which includes financial capacity building for pre-purchase, post-purchase, and foreclosure prevention. Provide client assessments that enable the client to make informed decisions regarding their housing choices.Member Contact:
Educate clients and prospective clients about the available Financial Inclusion services, Economic Empowerment Services, and greater YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Services. Assist members with completion of required forms and assessments. Conduct member screening to evaluate the need for immediate support and to facilitate referral and linkage to appropriate community services. Use appropriate judgment in upward communication regarding client or member concerns.Administrative Duties:
Record all communications and update log after each meeting or interaction with client/lender for both (hard and electronic) file utilizing required client management system – mPact Pro. Conduct follow-ups via phone and/or email to determine whether the client is following their financial goal plan. The interaction with the client should always 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.Office Management:
Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following areas:- Responsible for day-to-day client scheduling and delivery of homeownership counseling and education in credit counseling, financial capacity building, pre-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 the client’s financial capacity.- Perform on-going case management to provide service and problem-solving assistance.- Assist management with facilitating homebuyer’s education and post-purchase workshops.- Participate in group education workshops at least once a month in accordance with U.S. HUD standards. (Note: Sessions held on evenings and weekends)Represent 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 required client management system – mPact Pro.- Conduct follow-ups via phone and/or email to determine whether the client is following their financial goal plan. The interaction with the client should always 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.
NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participate in staff meetings and training as scheduled.OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED:
Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned, whether for a project, special needs task, or other assignment.QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated skills, strong knowledge, and experience in the following areas:- Working experience with any aspect of the homeownership and post-purchase process: mortgage lending, realtor service, closing of a mortgage loan, loan processing, and loan modification.- Must hold a HUD Certified Housing Counselor certificate or become certified within 90 days of employment.- Computer proficiency with email software, Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook, client management databases, and uploading and downloading of documents.- Proficiency with spreadsheets and internet search applications are necessary.- Ability and willingness to learn new software and computer systems.- 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 customer service skills.- Experience and/or certification as a housing counselor, loan processor, or financial educator is a plus.- Minimum Associate Degree from an accredited college, BA preferred.- **Bilingual Spanish speaking is preferable but not required**The position requires a proactive self-starter and skills that include: a demonstrated ability to work independently; to handle multiple assignments and tasks; and to apply and comply with various policies and procedures. Good telephone etiquette and ability to communicate in a courteous and professional manner are necessary for the role. An intermediate level of skills with MS Office and Outlook are required, skills with database management. A general knowledge of community resources is desirable. Discretion is required for handling documents and for member concerns. Demonstrated respect and appreciation for working in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural work environment must be evident. The Housing Counselor must be able to work effectively with members who may show stress and impatience.Professional Training Required:
Must be compliant to offer both pre-purchase and foreclosure counseling.*Note:
A bilingual Housing Counselor who works with a foreign language-speaking community must demonstrate cultural competency with that community and fluency in both English and the community’s language (oral and written).EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Minimum Associate's Degree from an accredited college, BA preferred.CERTIFICATION(s) REQUIRED:
HUD Housing Counseling Certification; if not secured upon hiring, the candidate must agree to receive certification no later than within the first 90 days of employment.OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
N/A.WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment includes remote working two days per week. While in the office, the noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking, stooping, or kneeling. There may be a need to reach, lift, or move objects, such as packages, supplies, and computers. Normal (or corrected) vision range; the ability to see color and to distinguish letters, numbers, and symbols are necessary for the work, which may require close viewing. Occasionally may need to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Communication needs include seeing, hearing, and speaking. While working remotely and/or in the office, there will be periods of sitting, holding a telephone, and using computers. Reasonable accommodations will be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.WORK SCHEDULE:
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. This position may require work on some evenings and weekends. Schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency.
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