Housing Certified Counselor

ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE•Chicago, IL

19d•$24 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

Erie Neighborhood House has provided comprehensive support to immigrant and low-income families in Chicago, evolving to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social services nonprofit with programming in children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, and legal services. Through these programs, we empower individuals to build powerful communities. The Full Time HUD Certified Housing Counselor is primarily responsible for providing professional housing counseling services and assistance in all areas of homeownership, rental, and/or foreclosures to immigrant families. The Counselor must possess strong interpersonal skills, a working knowledge of financial capability, credit, budgeting, and individual asset building. The Counselor must also be proficient in analyzing credit reports and act as an effective financial coach, assisting clients with meeting their financial goals. The counselor must be able to convey suggestions constructively, non-judgmentally, and professionally. The counselor must be organized and efficient in time/work management with a keen sense of urgency and require minimal supervision. In return for commitment to Erie House and its mission, employees will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunities for growth, and have a direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement Houses in the Chicago Land Area.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and/or a minimum of 2 to 4 years of equivalent experience and training in a related field.
Written and oral fluency in English and Spanish required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and database software applications.
Exceptional attention to detail and data verification.
Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment and execution of work with a sense of urgency.
Accountability for work and have a high level of professional and personal integrity.
Trustworthiness with knowledge of confidential client and funding information.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrate ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team setting.
Ability and opportunity to work flexible hours.
Access to transportation and ability to work Saturdays required.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice and sensitivity to challenges of the immigrant community.
The position requires acquiring HUD certification within 3 months after the hiring date.
MUST BE A MEMBER OF AFSCME OR JOIN AFTER 30 DAYS

Nice To Haves

Certifications in foreclosure prevention, homeownership counseling, financial capability and rental housing counseling are a plus.
HUD Housing Counseling Certification- Certifications in the areas of Pre-Purchase Counseling and Homeownership Education is a PLUS.

Responsibilities

Responsible for day-to-day client scheduling and delivery of home ownership counseling and education in credit counseling, financial capacity building, pre-purchase, delinquency, and foreclosure prevention counseling.
Recruit program participants and assist with community resources and scheduling appointments.
Assist with and facilitate on-site and off-site housing fairs and events.
Provide clients with information on all aspects of homeownership from pre-purchasing requirements to foreclosure prevention and rental, with a heavy focus on financial coaching.
Perform on-going case management to provide service and problem-solving assistance.
Available to clients throughout the entire counseling process to address any problems and/or answer any questions.
Maintains client files and program records according to all contractual and grant requirements.
Create and ensure completion of a client’s file per organizational and HUD guidelines.
Create an Action Plan that supports and builds client’s financial capacity and improves their housing status.
Manage data integrity and governance in the Counselor MPACT PRO, Salesforce, and other required database systems.
Build relationships with lenders, realtors, and other professionals to develop referral sources.
Attends and participates in educational housing programs; maintains essential job skills and core competencies.
Must be willing to attend 30 hours of continuing education towards recertification every 3 years.
Must be willing to conduct workshops, seminars, and one-on-one coaching activities.
Participate and facilitate group education workshops in accordance with U.S. HUD standards (some evenings and Saturdays).
Process and prepares timely reports on clients for periodic outcome reviews and program audits for ENH staff and funders as required.
Attend and participate in required staff meetings.
Performs other duties/special projects as assigned.
Occasional travels for outreach activities, training, and program registration events.

Benefits

Excellent professional development opportunities
Opportunities for growth
Direct impact in building powerful communities
Generous paid time off (examples below for 40 hour employment)
12 accrued sick days per year
3 personal days
Paid birthday off
8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth
Paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
Vacation Year 1 = 8 days
Vacation Year 2 = 13 days
Vacation Year 3 + = 20 days
Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible
Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees
Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave
Employer-sponsored learning and development programs
Paid day off annually for personal professional development
Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows
Employee Assistance Program