Housing and Financial Counselor

Housing and Financial Counselor

Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging (BRIA) is a Cleveland-based nonprofit whose mission is to advance support for older adults and caregivers is currently seeking a full time Housing and Financial Counselor for ESOP (Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People), a subsidiary of BRIA, which proudly serves adults in all stages of life to achieve and maintain financial wellness and housing stability through HUD-approved housing and financial counseling and education, as well as benefits enrollment assistance.

Position Summary:

• Conducts Financial Capabilities Workshops, assesses individuals’ and families’ financial capabilities and provides coaching and counseling for a variety of programs designed to develop economic empowerment and community stabilization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following description is a general representation of the key duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Presents and conducts ESOP’s Financial Capabilities Workshops, including the Senior Financial Education Workshop (SFEW) series;
• Counsels and coaches individuals and families to help them understand and improve credit, establish a budget, reduce debt and create an action plan that will help achieve, maintain and improve economic stability;
• Assesses, evaluates and recommends low-to-moderate income individuals and families to qualified benefits and entitlement programs to help ensure economic stability and basic needs;
• Speaks and presents at community outreach events, seminars, and meetings to promote ESOP programs and services;
• Provides regular and timely updates to clients on program requirements and goal progress;
• Assists the Director of Housing and Financial Counseling on special projects, data reporting and process and program implementation;
• Mediates workout options between homeowners and the servicer or lender of the mortgage to help homeowners keep their homes;
• Works in partnership with the Director of Housing and Financial Counseling to provide one-on-one counseling to help potential homebuyers meet the requirements necessary for stable and sustainable homeownership;
• Maintains all necessary certifications and program training requirements as required by HUD and/or ESOP;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Housing and Financial Counseling.

Qualifications:

• Specific knowledge, training or skills required to perform the duties of this position including specific courses, training programs or required certifications. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; high school diploma or equivalent and relevant work experience are required;
• HUD Counselor Certification preferred; must certify with HUD within 18 months of employment;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point);
• Prior experience with Salesforce is desirable;
• Education or experience in Personal Finance with an emphasis on household budgeting
• Public speaking required;
• Excellent attention to detail, personal organization, and time management;

• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing with people from all socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Must excel at working independently, and as part of a larger, coordinated team effort;
• Must have outstanding customer service skills, patience, follow-up and follow through.
• Must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or exemption approved prior to hire. Drug test and background check required.

Previous Experience that is necessary to qualify for this position:

• A minimum requirement of three years related case-management experience in financial planning, coaching or counseling

Essential Physical Demands and Working Environment

(The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.)

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, keyboard and telephone;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Light to moderate lifting is required, up to 25 pounds;
• Regular, predictable attendance is required;

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area;
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time;
• Work environment is stressful at times

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. REPORTS TO AND EVALUATED BY: Director of Housing and Financial Counseling

Printable Application Online: www.benrose.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.38 - $20.19 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Must be fully vaccinated or exemption approved prior to hire. Facial coverings optional.

Application Question(s):

• Do you have your HUD Counselor Certification? If not, are your able to certify with HUD within 18 months of employment?
• Are you fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or do you have an exemption that can be approved prior to hire?
• Are you willing to undergo a background check and drug test?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Public Housing Specialists: 1 year (Preferred)
• financial planning, coaching or counseling: 3 years (Preferred)
• Case management: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location