Housing Counselor

Who Are We

GO Northwest Housing Resource Center is a community based, nonprofit HUD approved housing counseling organization focused on helping individuals become and remain homeowners in Baltimore City. By equipping people to obtain, maintain, and retain their homes successfully through education, counseling, technical assistance and access to resources, GO Northwest helps individuals achieve their goals for financial stability and homeownership, to maintain strong neighborhoods, , and strengthen Baltimore City as a great place to live. If you have the interest, drive, and skills to meet the challenge!

This position will be responsible for

• Providing education, coaching and counseling for clients seeking financial, pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, post purchase services and assistance.
• Conducting intake interviews to ascertain client needs; client follow-up to ensure goal attainment
• Compiling, inputting and managing client and other data; preparing program reports and related documentation
• Informing potential clients of GO Northwest and other homeownership services and resources; and performing related tasks as assigned to help individuals achieve their homeownership goals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct one on one and group housing counseling sessions with clients: r
• Conduct client intake interviews to assess client needs, collect, verify, and compile client documentation.
• Review credit report, determine affordability, develop budgets and action plans; discuss available resources and determine program eligibility to achieve housing needs.
• Follow-up with clients to provide guidance, information , and ensure client follow-through for goal attainment
• Conduct and facilitate financial and homeownership education group workshops and presentations.
• Prepare program materials for workshops; manage registration process and present curriculum based on established guidelines.
• Conduct financial coaching to help clients improve financial stability and management.
• Provide technical assistance and counseling to assist homeowners maintain their homes, prevent foreclosure and ensure financial stability.
• Be knowledgeable and current on homeownership programs, products, incentives and resources in greater Baltimore region.
• Collect, input, track, and manage client data, utilizing office client management and other computer based systems.
• Provide information and prepare reports as required
• Create, maintain and update client files to ensure files are complete and accurate per Center and HUD requirements.
• Comply with and fulfill program and grant policies/procedures/deliverables as assigned. Assist in preparation of program updates and documentation.
• Participate in outreach activities to inform the public about GO Northwest and other homeownership programs and resources. . Develop relationships with real estate agents, lenders and other homeownership related professionals
• Attend organizational and program meetings and training as required
• Perform additional tasks and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Possess current HUD Housing Counseling Certification. If not, must obtain HUD housing counseling certification within 4 months of hire required.
• Bachelor’s degree; at least 1-2 years work experience in providing direct housing counseling and/or credit counseling ; Associate degree with at least 4 years’ work experience or high school diploma with 6 years’ experience in in the aforementioned work experience areas
• Current certifications from NeighborWorks America for Homeownership Education, Counseling, Default /Delinquency, NCHEC or HUD certifications
• Working experience of the components of housing counseling;
• Experience conducting housing or financial counseling in the greater Baltimore Metro area preferred; working knowledge of Baltimore City neighborhoods desired

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communications skills: ability to conduct presentations and respond to questions
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills required: ability to interview, communicate and establish effective rapport with individuals from diverse cultural, racial and economic backgrounds effectively
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner
• Highly organized, detailed oriented, with ,effective time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Working experience with client management systems (CMS) in day-to-day work production: experience in conducting data input and managing client information ,
• Strong computer proficiency and operations skills —demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); Experience in using Zoom and/or other virtual platforms
• Ability to read, analyze and explain an array of information and procedures Demonstrates professionalism and commitment to excellence, integrity, and honesty.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Conditions & Nature of Work

• Full time position – willingness/able to work flexible schedule with some evening and weekend work required. Have access to/use of operable motor vehicle.
• This position operates in a professional office environment, with physical demands of : sitting, standing, bending, walking, performing other work requiring medium exertion. The position requires employee to talk and hear; and use hands with the with ability to lift up to 25 lbs. .
• Working knowledge/ability to operate office equipment ( computer, copier, scanner, internet, phones, etc.) ; ability to set up and break down presentations.
• Salary commensurate with qualifications and counseling certification. Position includes benefits: Health insurance, dental and vision; paid leave, job related professional development

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position, and may not be inclusive of complete list of all responsibilities and duties that may be required

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Experience:

• Case management: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Baltimore, MD 21216 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Baltimore, MD 21216