Job Summary: The Housing Counselor will provide counseling and guidance to homeowners at risk of losing their homes. The housing counselor will provide one-on-one face-to-face, virtual, or telephone counseling, review and develop crisis budgets, analyze credit reports, and act as a liaison between the client and the lender/servicer.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Must have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of related work experience as a housing specialist, underwriting, lending, collections, or real estate desired. Spanish speaking is a plus. Certification in foreclosure prevention counseling must be obtained within the first year of providing foreclosure prevention services (training provided by agency). Candidate must have a HUD housing counselor certification.
Organizational Relationship:
This position reports to the director of housing.
Specific Duties:
- Understand loan servicing and loss mitigation operations and options while staying informed about industry changes.
- Understand mortgage underwriting concepts and be able to analyze the financial situations of clients and appropriate loss mitigation solutions.
- Know state foreclosure law and process and its timeline and implications.
- Know the social and support services available to borrowers in financial distress.
- Understand the bankruptcy laws and their impact on foreclosures.
- Understand consumer protections and their applicability to clients’ situations.
- Conduct foreclosure prevention workshops and presentations.
- Participate in marketing and outreach initiatives.
- Must meet program goals and outcomes for compliance.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
- Attend and participate in the planning of Urban League fundraising events and activities.
- Perform related tasks as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must have an excellent work ethic and ability to work in a professional work environment.
- Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to both internal and external program stakeholders.
- Must have the ability to listen and communicate with a combination of compassion and objectivity.
- Must be a people person and engage with the public comfortably with the ability to establish and maintain a relationship of trust with borrowers from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Must have the ability to establish credible positive relationships with lenders, servicers, mortgage insurance companies, real estate professionals, attorneys, and social service agencies.
- Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents appropriate to the audience.
- Must be able to adhere to company policies.
- Must be able to manage time well and have a strong ability to multi-task various top-priority initiatives simultaneously.
- Must have an entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work as a team.
- Computer proficiency and ability to use software including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Familiarity with database and spreadsheet software (Excel, Access).
- Valid Virginia driver’s license and vehicle required.
- Must have the ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Ability to travel to attend certification training.
- Must be kind, professional, team-oriented, and have an excellent work ethic.
- Must have minimum COVID-19 vaccines.
The Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and fairness. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by federal, state, or local law.