Bilingual Housing and Financial Counselor

at  Commonwealth Catholic Charities

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for providing housing counseling, financial counseling/coaching, and consumer credit counseling for clients of the program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assists individuals and families in the identification of goals and objectives required for the effective management of their financial resources and/or meeting their housing needs.
• Provides housing and/or financial counseling for clients seeking assistance with landlord/tenant matters, foreclosure prevention, financial management, home purchase, and credit management.
• Conducts group education on various topics, including financial management, homeownership, and foreclosure prevention. Develops additional education offerings as needed/directed.
• Screen potential applicants to determine eligibility for service and schedule appointments for assistance.
• Provides follow up case management for clients as necessary and in accordance with the clients action plan. Accurately records client data in the appropriate client management system, effectively manages the confidential financial information of clients, and maintains case files for all clients in accordance with agency and HUD standards.
• Logs and returns voice mail messages to provide timely follow up with clients and potential applicants.
• Assist with providing guidance and support for volunteer staff.
• Submit approved financial assistance applications to accounting for payment processing, and mail payments to vendors at the end of each week.
• Assists with the preparation of grant submissions for private, government, and corporate funders.
• Assists in maintaining HUD compliance and agency accreditation through accurate file management and submission of required reports to appropriate agencies.
• Maintain relationship with vendors and other agencies in the housing counseling and financial assistance networks.
• Maintain accurate and current information about resources in the community and make referrals to appropriate agencies for services which the program cannot meet.
• Monitors and adheres to financial assistance budgets.
• Maintains knowledge of housing and financial counseling industry standards and ensures department practices maintain compliance.
• Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the service populations cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills.
• Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelors degree preferred with one year of related experience. HUD Housing Counseling Certification required within 30 days of hire.
DIRECT REPORTS: None

• Assists individuals and families in the identification of goals and objectives required for the effective management of their financial resources and/or meeting their housing needs.
• Provides housing and/or financial counseling for clients seeking assistance with landlord/tenant matters, foreclosure prevention, financial management, home purchase, and credit management.
• Conducts group education on various topics, including financial management, homeownership, and foreclosure prevention. Develops additional education offerings as needed/directed.
• Screen potential applicants to determine eligibility for service and schedule appointments for assistance.
• Provides follow up case management for clients as necessary and in accordance with the clients action plan. Accurately records client data in the appropriate client management system, effectively manages the confidential financial information of clients, and maintains case files for all clients in accordance with agency and HUD standards.
• Logs and returns voice mail messages to provide timely follow up with clients and potential applicants.
• Assist with providing guidance and support for volunteer staff.
• Submit approved financial assistance applications to accounting for payment processing, and mail payments to vendors at the end of each week.
• Assists with the preparation of grant submissions for private, government, and corporate funders.
• Assists in maintaining HUD compliance and agency accreditation through accurate file management and submission of required reports to appropriate agencies.
• Maintain relationship with vendors and other agencies in the housing counseling and financial assistance networks.
• Maintain accurate and current information about resources in the community and make referrals to appropriate agencies for services which the program cannot meet.
• Monitors and adheres to financial assistance budgets.
• Maintains knowledge of housing and financial counseling industry standards and ensures department practices maintain compliance.
• Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the service populations cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills.
• Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications