Housing Counselor Specialist, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Posted by Congreso de Latinos Unidos on December 12, 2016

Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc. is currently seeking a full-time Housing Counselor Specialist within the Family and Housing Services division at Congreso. The Housing Counselor Specialist works under the direct supervision of the Housing Director. The Housing Counselor Specialist is responsible providing professional counseling in the area of homeownership and foreclosure prevention. Following the National Industry Standards of Homeownership and HUD guidelines; provide education, information and guidance in order for the client to make an informed selection of options available to them. Interacts with the lenders/servicers, advocates for clients in an effort to obtain the best mortgage products for homebuyers available and preserve homeownership for existing homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

About Congreso
Congreso is a multiservice nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen Latino communities through social, economic, education, and health services; leadership development and advocacy. Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Congreso has grown into a national thought leader on nonprofit performance management with an expert focus on the Latino community. Congreso is anchored by its innovative Primary Client Model (PCM™), and provides direct services to residents of the Philadelphia region while providing consult to other nonprofits and government systems nationally.

Essential Program Functions
 Maintain a mixed caseload of homeownership, tenant, diversion, and mortgage default and delinquency.
 Be knowledgeable of homeowners’ services, tenant counseling, including delinquency counseling, mortgage default and delinquency counseling.
 Conduct initial client intake including assessment and development of an action plan.
 Provide clients with the information on all aspects of the home buying process and requirements.
 Follow the homebuyer process model.
 Keep track of the clients in the home buying pipeline.
 Assist eligible clients to complete any grants and or tax initiatives program, if applicable.
 Attend closing with clients, when applicable.
 Assist eligible clients to complete any loss mitigation tools, including by not limited to HAMP, HEMAP, in-house modifications, and/or HTF.
 Conduct a minimum of 32 hours per week of housing counseling, follow up and intake required
 Provide Follow up at a minimum of 60 days for each active client.
 Provide ongoing housing counseling with client as needed until case is resolved; by reaching a workout with the lender or an outcome for any other service type.
 Manage caseload of clients whose situations require interventions or negotiation with lenders.
 Record each service and contact with clients into the funder’s (CounselorMax and HMIS) and/or Unidad database and maintain a file for each client with the proper documentation based on program guidelines.
 Utilize the HopeLoan and Early Resolution Portal for submissions of HAMPs; for participating lenders.
 Refer clients to internal programs (ex: Family Social Services and FEC) or external service agencies and community organizations, as appropriate, to link clients to existing resources. Assist Director in researching other community resources as needed.
 Attend court hearings for diversion clients’ on a weekly basis. Court is not limited to conciliations hearings but should also include Pro Se Petition Court, when required.
 Facilitation of the Foreclosure Prevention Workshops in Spanish.
 Assist with marketing of the Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
 Assess the clients in the workshop and schedule them for one-on-one counseling with one of the housing counselors.
 Maintain education file based on program guidelines
 Enter all relevant data in the data management system.
 Submit files to Director for Invoicing within two weeks of conducting the workshop.
 Coordinate and facilitate the Homebuyer Workshop, monthly.
 Assist with marketing and procuring of speakers.
 Assess the clients in the workshop and schedule them for one-on-one counseling.
 Maintain education files based on program guidelines
 Enter all relevant data in the data management system (CounselorMax and/or Unidad)
 Submit files to Director for Invoicing within two weeks of conducting the workshop.
 Expand and enhance homebuyer and foreclosure prevention education curriculum.
 Build relationships with lenders, realtors and other professionals in the homebuyer education field to develop referrals.
 Maintain up-to-date information on lending and homebuyer assistance products.
 Complete and pass all certifications required by HUD and the funder.
 Be knowledgeable of homeowners’ services, tenant counseling, including delinquency counseling, mortgage default and delinquency counseling.
 Assist with facilitation of the Foreclosure workshops; a minimum of 2 a month.
 Complete and pass all certifications required by HUD and the funder.
 Follow up on referrals to ensure client needs are met. If referral is not successful, document why not.
 Complete, track and update data management systems.
 Provide assistance to the other housing counselors, when needed or assigned by Director.
 Complete home visits, when necessary.
 Provide services using Congreso’s Primary Client Model (PCM™)
 Participate in quarterly In-Service Provider meetings and any other meetings required by the funders.
 Support in the development of monthly reporting.
 Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, and case reviews to assess progress of clients.
 Translate materials form English to Spanish when needed.
 Safeguard the confidentiality of clients and families.
 Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Experience, Education, and Licensure

Minimum Experience:
 2-3 years of experience in housing counseling, housing development, advocacy or relate social service field.
 At least 2 years of experience in public speaking and group facilitation.
 Computer Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.
 Knowledgeable of financial and human services resources within the community and the city at large. Bilingual required (Spanish/English).

Minimum Education:
 High School or GED equivalent with housing experience; Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field preferred.

Certification/License:
 Certified Housing Counselor, such as Foreclosure Intervention Specialist, and Diversion Certification.

A Career with Congreso: Your talent and passion + our mission = outcomes

Come grow our reputation. Employees come to Congreso because they hear the positive things our clients, employees, and supporters say about us. Congreso has served the neighborhoods of eastern North Philadelphia since 1977. We have built our reputation on trust and high-quality human service delivery. And now our expertise in client-centered, outcomes-informed service delivery is extending our reputation beyond local borders to regional and national renown.

Come serve the community. Employees come to Congreso because of their passion to work directly with members of a vibrant and diverse community towards greater self-sufficiency. We have grassroots in Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community and a commitment to strengthen all who live in the communities we serve. Our campus is located in the heart of the Eastern North Philadelphia neighborhoods we serve and includes a charter school that houses college courses at night.

Come celebrate culture. Employees come to Congreso because of the diversity of our employees, clients, and community we serve. We seek to serve all clients through practices that show inclusion, empathy and understanding regardless of cultural identities.

Come be part of our “familia.” Employees come to Congreso for a working culture that reflects our family-centered service approach and our commitment to balance work and family. Our “mi casa es su casa” welcome extends to employees and all who seek services from us. Our employees value the feeling of being “like family” and the close and supportive relationships they have with co-workers.

Come grow professionally. Employees come to Congreso to gain experience, learn new skills, and grow professionally. Our Primary Client Model™ provides employees with continuous education and professional development in client-centered, data-informed, and culturally appreciative service delivery. We recognize supervisors as leaders and an essential link between retention and service quality. All supervisors engage in regular professional development and organizational strategy conversations with Congreso’s President/CEO. Congreso has a reputation for leadership development, with many former employees now in leadership positions at the local, regional and national level.

To Apply
To apply for this position please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements here.

https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=congresodl&jobId=27109&lang=en_US&source=CC3

For more information about Congreso and other career opportunities pleas go to http://www.congreso.net.

EEOC
Congreso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Congreso is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and all applicants for employment. All employment decisions at Congreso are made without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability or military/veteran status, or any other protected class as set forth under applicable State, Local and Federal Civil Rights Laws.