Community Program Specialist - HUD Housing Counselor

City of Aurora • Aurora, CO

1d • $25 - $31 • Onsite

About The Position

The Community Program Specialist serves as a HUD Housing Counselor for the City of Aurora. The position provides housing counseling and financial assistance services, including support with homebuying, post-purchase concerns, and foreclosure prevention. The specialist assesses clients’ financial circumstances, develops individualized action plans, maintains case records, conducts follow-ups, and coordinates with lenders and other housing professionals. The role also supports housing education, application review, program administration, marketing, and reporting. A HUD Housing Counselor Certification must be obtained within six months of hire.

The position is based at 15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, Colorado. It works both indoors and outdoors in varying weather and may involve dusty or noisy environments. Employees may be required to work as essential personnel during a city-declared emergency or disaster. The role requires light physical work, including occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing, and frequent computer use and communication. Standard office equipment is used; occasional use of personal equipment such as a vehicle or cell phone may be required.

Requirements

• Associate degree in real estate, business administration, marketing, human services, counseling, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• At least one year of progressively responsible experience in HUD, CDBG, HOME, ESG programs, community development and affordable housing programs, planning, and/or grant administration.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean Motor Vehicle Report.
• Obtain HUD Housing Counselor Certification within six months of hire.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, program clients, and citizens.
• Ability to handle sensitive or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy and work effectively with diverse clientele.
• High-quality professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to perform light physical work, including lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 20 pounds with or without assistance; occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing; frequent hand/eye coordination for computer-system and motor-vehicle operation; vision for reading and interpreting reports and documents; and frequent speech and hearing communication.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of principles and practices related to real estate and mortgage lending.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and advanced proficiency with Adobe.
• Familiarity with personal computers and related word-processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate group education workshops in accordance with HUD and agency standards.
• Counsel clients on financial capacity and the homebuying process, including pre-purchase, post-purchase, and foreclosure-prevention needs.
• Work with clients to create individual action plans based on their needs.
• Record client communications and update the Mpact PRO client management system and hard-copy and electronic files after meetings or interactions with clients or lenders.
• Follow up by phone or email to determine whether clients are following their financial goal plans.
• Conduct financial analyses and affordability assessments and develop corresponding action plans.
• Provide ongoing case management, service, and problem-solving assistance.
• Prepare management reports and complete monthly administrative reports.
• Review applications for the City of Aurora’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.
• Provide direct-service counseling and schedule clients in accordance with established federal guidelines.
• Obtain appropriate releases of information and waivers for program processes.
• Refer clients to services appropriate to their needs.
• Conduct initial assessments for individuals seeking HOAP financial assistance or foreclosure-prevention counseling.
• Work with lenders, realtors, title insurance representatives, and other parties to complete financial-assistance applications, and attend loan closings.
• Coordinate and conduct foreclosure and pre-purchase seminars.
• Maintain counseling certifications and relationships with other counseling programs and housing professionals to represent HOAP in counseling-program operations.
• Assist in marketing programs to appropriate clientele.
• Keep current on programs and information in housing and related fields.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package.
• Well-funded General Employees Retirement Plan.
• On-site fitness center and employee well-being programs.
• Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement.
• Access to innovation workspaces.
• Light rail station minutes away.
• The City will implement unpaid furlough days for most employees in 2026, scheduled for January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree