We’re looking to add a new member to our Homeownership Department! See the full description and job requirements below.

Job Summary:

The Housing Retention Specialist provides individual and group services to assist households retain their current housing including eviction prevention services, mortgage default and foreclosure services, and crisis budgeting counseling. The Homeownership Specialist stays current with industry trends and required certifications and training.

Location:                    Brattleboro VT, Bellows Falls VT,

Position Status:           37.5 hours/week, exempt Pay: $37,000.00 – $41,000.00 per year

Reports to:                  Director of Homeownership

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide one-on-one housing retention counseling in order to assist household stay in their current homes and if current housing is not sustainable to help them create transition plan to sustainable housing. This counseling includes all aspects of housing financial well-being such as understanding credit, budgeting, and savings, and specific actions to avoid either rental or mortgage delinquency and resulting actions by lessor or mortgage holder
• Provide post-purchase counseling including budgeting, credit and savings, individual problem solving as well as delinquency intervention for WWHT clients.
• Provide financial counseling to applicants to WWHT’s Green Mountain Home Repair Program.
• With the Homeownership Department team, coordinate and present post-purchase workshops.
• Participate in the organization and delivery of special events (i.e., Homebuyer Education month, community events, sponsorship, and outreach activities.)
• Maintain accurate confidential client counseling information, including electronic and paper files. Enter notes about all client interactions in a timely manner.
• Attend required trainings, obtain required certificates, and stay up to date with industry trends; specifically, within 12 months of being hired:
  • HUD counseling certification
  • Obtain training equivalent to no less than 30 hours in eviction prevention and foreclosure intervention.
• Assist with special projects as assigned and other tasks deemed necessary to achieve overall goals.
• Work flexible hours with regular night and weekend hours required.

Job Requirements:

The Housing Retention Specialist must be able to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences. Excellent interpersonal skills, aptitude for public speaking, financial/mathematical competency, an understanding of housing counseling and case management terminology, as well as strong computer and organizational skills are required.  The Housing Retention Specialist must be able to demonstrate commitment to the WWHT mission.

BA/BS or equivalent with prior experience in case management, counseling, education, housing counseling preferred. Must be self-directed and a strong team member.  Some nights and weekends are required. A reliable and insured vehicle and a valid driver’s license are required. There are certificates and professional development classes that are required for this position and there is occasional out of state travel required to complete those training requirements.

Work load:

On average, the Homeownership Specialist’s work load will be divided up as follows:

• 65% Counseling – Direct service, working individually with clients in pre-purchase, post-purchase, financial literacy and home repair counseling and documenting client interactions with case notes.
  • 5% Education – Workshop preparation, delivery, and evaluation, as well as data entry related to workshop attendees.
  • 10% Outreach – Networking within the local community to promote WWHT Homeownership services and to recruit referral partners and guest speakers at education events.
  • 10% Professional Development – Participating in ongoing training and education related to Housing Counseling and Education.
  • 10% Administration – Team meetings, reporting, participation in WWHT committees and other administrative tasks.

Skills:

• Aptitude in customer management systems and MS Excel and the ability to learn new software programs.
• Accurate data entry
• Understanding of banking functions.
• Effective and accurate dissemination of information about financial capabilities related to housing finances to people with little prior knowledge about budgeting, money management, and legal proceedings.
• Learn and follow complex regulatory requirements and guidelines.
• Understanding of new information and ability to keep up to date with changes in the industry. Presentation techniques to deliver information to groups of people .

Physical and Mental abilities:

The Housing Retention Specialist must have the physical and mental abilities to perform the essential job duties.  However, reasonable accommodation may be extended to help perform those duties.  There may be prolonged periods of computer work. While performing the essential duties of this job the Homeownership Specialist may have to use hands and fingers, drive, walk, stand, speak, reach, or lift up to 25 pounds.