HOUSING COUNSELOR

Description

Compensation - $41,000 - $46,000

Housing Division

As the oldest HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) approved Housing Counseling Agency in Western New York, the Buffalo Urban League's Housing Department delivers solutions by providing our neighbors with homeownership education, first-time homebuyer assistance, financial empowerment (budget and credit) coaching, foreclosure prevention counseling, predatory lending avoidance, rental search and assistance, and fair housing education.

Position Description

The Housing Counselor is responsible for assisting the Housing Coordinator in the implementation of the Buffalo Urban League, Inc. programs and housing projects that will promote stability for renters, potential and current homeowners, and other who need housing services within designated Buffalo Urban League service area or program/project boundaries. The Housing Counselor may be responsible for educating/counseling clients that are facing mortgage foreclosures and/or are victims of predatory lending or fair housing violations. This person may also be responsible for conducting first time homebuyer workshops and/or one-on-one sessions on housing and credit counseling in preparation for homeownership.

General Duties: 

• Meet individually with renters, potential and current homeowners to provide education, guidance, and referrals.
• Identify clients’ goals for the counseling program.
• Conduct a comprehensive overview of clients’ financial situation and provide individualized credit and budget counseling services.
• Maintain files and databases associated with housing counseling.
• Network, build positive relationships, and work closely with members of the community, city, county, state and federal agencies to help meet the needs of clients directly or as an advocate.
• Educate clients on using available resources to meet priority expenses and support financial goals.
• Represent a positive, professional image of the agency.

This position will have limited administrative responsibilities. Within these areas, they will counsel clients on budgeting and credit.  They will also support the development of educational workshops and assist in the marketing/outreach efforts of the department. This position requires the use of independent judgment and decision-making skills.

Specific Duties:

• Provide a recommended course of action relevant to the clients’ particular situation and in support to the clients’ financials goals, and provide clients with clear, written recommendations based on the counselor’s professional advice.
• Prepare appropriate documentation of all counseling sessions in accordance the Buffalo Urban League and other funder’s guidelines.
• Recommend and refer clients to other social services agencies and other community resources for needs outside the scope of the Buffalo Urban League.
• Has an understanding of consumer credit issues and keeps current on such issues through participation in in-house training, review of materials distributed by PR and self-directed learning opportunities outside of work
  • • (i.e., listening to consumer-oriented radio talk shows, reading the business section of the newspaper or other financially oriented publications).
• Works independently to maintain productivity meet performance goals and manage day-to-day operations of the counseling location without on-site management.
• Provides service in accordance with all state, federal and regulatory guidelines for the provision of housing counseling services.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Required:

• Associates Degree in human services, business, finance, or related field; or at least two (2) years of experience in real estate, financial lending, homeownership preservation or related areas and two (2) years of experience working with people in need of assistance or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Specialized training with NeighborWorks or LaRaza is a plus.
  • Incumbent will be required to pass the National HUD Housing Counselor Certification Exam within 6 months of hire.
• Bi-lingual is a plus.

Preferred:

• Bachelors Degree in human services, business, finance, or related field, with at least one  (1) year of experience in real estate, financial lending, homeownership preservation or related areas and one (1) years of experience working with people in need of assistance or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• HUD Housing Counselor Certification
• NCHEC Counseling Certification(s) is a plus
• Bi-lingual is a plus.

Competencies:

• Strong familiarity with housing issues and financing mechanisms.
• Experience in working with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Good working knowledge of the home buying process.
• Knowledge of the housing market and potential obstacles for homeownership.
• Knowledge of lending products and various homebuyer assistance programs.
• Working knowledge of personal computers. Understanding of Excel and Microsoft Word programs will be required.
• Working knowledge of Fair Housing, Fair Lending, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Community Reinvestment Act, and affordable housing, anti-predatory lending laws, foreclosure laws & regulations and related issues.
• Good organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Tactfully ask probing questions and analyze information to produce recommendations based on analysis.
• Skilled at working with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work and motivate others.
• Ability to think strategically and solve problems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks efficiently and effectively with reserve and discretion.

• Ability to exercise initiative and work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others in establishing goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated skills in organizing time and prioritizing workload.
• Knowledge of different options a client has when a mortgage is in default.
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor when working with the public.

Salary : $41,000 - $46,000