OIC of Washington I Job Description

Position: Support Services Counselor 1

Division: Supportive Services 

Department: Housing Counseling 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities which are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. OIC of Washington is an “at will” employer and employment can be terminated at any time for any reason.

Supervised by: Support Service Manager (Housing Counseling) 

Positions supervised: 0

FLSA classification: Non-Exempt

Minimum Qualifications:  BA degree in business or related field, One (1) year of experience in the social service field, OR Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of education.

Job Location: Multiple Locations 

Salary Range: $20.57 – $26.84

Position Overview: 

The primary responsibility of the Supportive Services Counselor is to provide housing counseling and education to first-time homebuyers, existing homeowners, and homeowners facing foreclosure. The Supportive Services Counselor teaches group classes and offers one-on-one counseling to help low- and moderate-income households overcome barriers to homeownership, improve credit scores, reduce debt, establish budgets, qualify for a mortgage, prevent foreclosure or evictions, and achieve long-term housing stability and financial security. This role requires an individual with a passion for and commitment to helping low-income and financially distressed individuals.

Essential Duties: 

• Provide financial and housing counseling to assist individuals in meeting their financial and housing goals.
• Counseling areas: Rental Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention, Post Purchase, Home buying, and Financial Capability.
• Provide individual financial counseling, including credit report review, budget, debt reduction, savings, access to affordable and safe financial goals, and goal setting.
• Perform an analysis to determine the affordability and sustainability of homeownership: develop loss mitigation alternatives and intervention.
• Communicate with the mortgage companies and submit a loss mitigation package on behalf of the client when applicable.
• Analyze the financial situation, affordability assessment based on income and debt, credit, and readiness to buy and qualify for a mortgage, and development of an action plan to overcome barriers to achieving homeownership.
• Assist future homeowners in preparing for homeownership acquisitions. Explain the terms and conditions regulating affordable housing programs.
• Introduce and explain home buying and loan terms such as amortization schedules, income calculations, housing ratios, credit analysis, foreclosure procedures and prevention steps, and other loan steps.
• Teach 5-hour HUD Approved Homebuyer Education class in a group setting.
• Develop personalized client action plans corresponding to goals and recommendations for all housing counseling programs.
• Actively engage in follow-up and ongoing case management with client post-counseling to evaluate the effectiveness of the action plan and the client’s success in following the recommendations provided by the counselor.
• Identify community resources and make appropriate referrals to achieve client goals.
• Adherence to established policies and procedures for the delivery of counseling and education services.
• Enters housing assistance data into the agency data management system.
• Participates in community housing development coordination meetings focusing on issues related to safe and affordable housing for low-income citizens as requested.
• Adhere to all agency policies and procedures.
• Attend all meetings as required in a punctual, professional, and contributory manner.
• Provide front desk support in answering phones and maintaining daily upkeep of the Resource Room. 
• Provide clients with updates on the status of their application in a timely manner through OIC of Washington formal documentation. 
• Greet members of the public and assist with appointment scheduling. 
• Assist with processing incoming and outgoing mail. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in a professional office setting, including working in a busy office setting that deals heavily with a high volume of calls, public contact, and public presentation.
• Strong working knowledge of  Microsoft software including: Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and other virtual software.
• Knowledge of various office machines such as computers, copiers, fax machines, and postage machines.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to analyze statistical and financial reports, to identify problems, and to take corrective actions.
• Must be highly detailed and organized and with the ability to capture data required by funding sources.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at the same time and the ability to delegate duties to staff based on an assessment of their skill set.
• Must have experience in interviewing candidates for positions and determine if a candidate is viable for a position within the department.
• Maintain sound judgement, work under pressure, and maintain high level of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated experience working in a confidential environment which deals with multicultural clientele, experience in relating to a wide variety of people, and the ability to remain calm when dealing with upset people.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate a genuine respect for all cultures and diverse populations served by OIC.

Work Environment:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, reach with hands and arms, use hands and fingers to handle or move objects, tools, or controls. Occasionally drive a vehicle in seasonal weather and road conditions. Will occasionally lift up to 10 pounds. Occasionally required to reach, push/pull, and stop.

Additional Conditions of Employment:

Successfully pass a Criminal History & Background Check. Successfully pass a pre-employment drug test. Valid WA State Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested.