Housing Counselor

Job Title: Housing Counselor
Department: Community Development - Education & Outreach
Reporting to: Financial Education Coordinator

Occasional remote work may be an option after initial training and certification period.
Travel to different branch offices within the city of Syracuse may be required.

Position Summary
Provide accurate, relevant information to assist clients with solutions related to housing, homeownership, down payment assistance, money management, credit and debt. Deliver one-on-one counseling services through in-person as well as remote appointments and conduct case management. Teach financial education classes to diverse audiences including creating or adapting curriculum as needed. The Housing Counselor must obtain HUD Housing Counseling certification within 90 days of hire, and work toward securing and maintaining professional certifications.

Responsibilities

1. Become familiar with Cooperative Federal’s programs and service5s.

2. Obtain and maintain training and/or certifications necessary to provide HUD-certified housing counseling.

3. Provide one-on-one financial and housing counseling to adult audiences.

a. Work with clients to develop specific strategies for achieving and maintaining homeownership, addressing rental housing issues, and improving financial management.

b. Produce a written action plan to support the client’s best interest and available options.

c. Motivate the client and implement the action plan.

d. Monitor counseling client progress on client financial goals. Document and evaluate progress.

e. Refer clients to other service providers / community partners as appropriate.

f. Conduct intake, follow-up, and quality assurance in keeping with program policies and procedures; collect and organize documents, manage case files, and complete reporting requirements in a timely manner.

g. Ensure compliance with current housing regulations.

h. Counsel proficiently in any of the following program, as defined by management:

i. Money management

ii. Pre-purchase counseling

iii. Rental counseling

iv. Default counseling (if applicable)

v. Post-purchase (if application)

4. Provide financial education classes to adult and some youth audiences.

a. Assist clients with enrollment and completion of online / on-demand homebuyer education.

b. Teach workshops/seminars on personal finance and homeownership topics, including developing or adapting education content as needed.

c. Coordinate with community partners to plan and implement classes.

d. Submit reports on client enrollment and class participation, including administering client surveys and/or issuing certificates of completion as needed.

5. Perform other administrative duties in connection with the services above.

a. Promptly answer phone calls, emails, and other communications from existing or prospective clients.

b. Schedule appointment for clients, confirm daily appointments, reschedule as needed and conduct proactive follow-up.

c. Monitor client progress related to project goals/objectives; work with staff and volunteers to document and evaluate progress.

d. Comply with documentation procedures related to financial reporting (e.g. time and expense tracking).

6. Participate in program development and community engagement.

a. Collaborate with staff and volunteers to continually improve and expand financial education program through creative lessons and innovative strategies.

b. As needed, facilitate translation process in courses for English Language Learners. Work with staff and volunteers to obtain translated course materials.

c. Maintain and develop partnerships with community organizations, not-for-profits, and businesses, to provide integrated financial education and services to their clients and/or staff.

d. Collaborate with staff and volunteers to coordinate courses, networking with existing or reaching out to new partners and aiding outreach efforts as needed.

7. Undertake such other reasonable and lawful duties as may be directed from time to time by the manager.

Qualifications

1. Commitment to the mission of Cooperative Federal: fostering social equity and economic justice in Syracuse, NY by connecting all people with capital and banking services, especially in communities that have been unjustly excluded from wealth.

2. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

3. Two or more years of professional experience in human services, social work, legal services, education, or banking/finance.

4. Excellent interpersonal skills including cultural competency and ability to thrive in a culturally, racially, and socioeconomically diverse environment.

5. Strong written and verbal communication skills including ability to make public presentations.

6. Command of basic computer operation, particularly Word, Power Point, Outlook, and other Microsoft Office software.

7. Organized with good time management skills.

8. Bilingual Spanish/English (written and spoken) or bilingual fluency in another language preferred.

Physical Requirements
These physical requirements are representative of what is necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people to perform the described essential functions.

1. The employee is often required to sit, to stand, to walk, to climb stairs, to use their hands and fingers, and to reach with arms and hands.

2. The employee is required to listen and to give spoken presentations.

3. The employee is occasionally required to lift and carry up to 35 lbs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $48,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $48,500