Housing Counselor

Salary : $51,334.19 - $72,328.72 Annually
Location : Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01564
Department: Housing and Community Engagement
Division: Housing and Community Engagement
Opening Date: 10/02/2024
Closing Date: 10/23/2024 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
General Definition of Work
The City of Gastonia is committed to empowering individuals and families to achieve stable and sustainable housing solutions. Our mission is to provide comprehensive housing counseling services, education, and resources to support members of our community in navigating the complexities of the housing market and achieving their housing goals.
GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK
As a Housing Counselor, you will play a vital role in assisting individuals and families in accessing affordable housing options, understanding their rights and responsibilities as tenants or homeowners, and overcoming barriers to housing stability. You will provide personalized counseling and guidance tailored to each client's unique circumstances, empowering them to make informed decisions and take proactive steps toward achieving their housing objectives. Under the limited supervision of the Hud Administrator, the ideal candidate will perform complex administrative work on cases and projects concerning Community Development Programs, including continual maintenance of program files, tracking projects and activities using the Housing Counseling Client Management System (CMS) and other duties as needed.
Essential Functions/Duties
The following job functions are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned. Percentages for each function are subject to fluctuations.
Conduct comprehensive housing assessments to understand clients' housing needs, preferences, and financial capabilities; Provide individualized counseling and support to clients on seeking assistance from various federal, city, and state home-buyer grant funding programs; Explain program guidelines and procedures and compile data for rehabilitations, home buyer assistance, health & safety, GEAR and other CDBG and HOME programs; Accepts applications, counsels with applicants, underwrites and verifies application data;
35%
Receives applications from clients and verifies information; assists in underwriting and legal closings; Assists clients in applying and receiving assistance through CDBG and HOME programs; Assist with the interpretation and completion of documents; Provide timely follow-up with clients, securing necessary documents; Ensure proper documentation is maintained for the Housing Counseling Program, including case files for individual clients and homebuyer education workshop participants; Maintains web-based Client Management System
20%
Leads, organizes, and schedules quarterly homebuyer education classes and workshops; Stay informed about current housing market trends, policies, and regulations to provide up-to-date information and guidance to clients; Participate in professional development activities and training opportunities to enhance counseling skills and knowledge of housing-related issues
10%
Facilitate counseling sessions and assist clients in developing and implementing action plans to address housing-related issues, such as budgeting, credit repair, and rental or mortgage assistance programs.
10%
Fosters professional relationships with both presenters and attendees; Collaborate with community partners, housing agencies, and other stakeholders to coordinate services and referrals for clients in need of additional support
10%
Prepares bid packages and contracts; Initiates marketing and advertising for CDBG and HOME programs; Handles calls, emails, and in-person inquiries from community stakeholders and/or contractors; 5%Supports the monitoring of CDBG and HOME programs in accordance with HUD requirements; Implements monitoring tools and methods to ensure that both programs are thorough, well-organized, and compliant with HUD standards; Provide accurate, detailed, and timely reporting to federal funding programs (CDBG, HOME, HUD, etc.);10%
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Understanding of housing laws, regulations, and policies at local, state, and federal levels.
• Knowledge of various housing programs, resources, and assistance available to individuals and families.
• Familiarity with fair housing practices and anti-discrimination laws.
• Awareness of current housing market trends, including rental and homeownership affordability issues.
• Knowledge of financial management principles, including budgeting, credit repair, and debt management.
• Understanding of the social and economic factors contributing to housing instability and homelessness.
• Knowledge of community resources, support services, and referral networks available to clients.
• Counseling and communication skills to effectively engage with clients and provide guidance and support.
• Active listening skills are needed to understand clients' needs, concerns, and preferences.
• Empathy and compassion are needed to connect with clients and build trust and rapport.
• Problem-solving skills to assess clients' situations and develop appropriate action plans.
• Case management skills to organize and maintain client records, documentation, and follow-up.
• Cultural competency to work effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds and communities.
• Collaboration and teamwork skills are needed to coordinate services and referrals with community partners and stakeholders.
• Advocacy skills are needed to support clients in navigating housing systems and accessing needed resources.
• Time management and organizational skills are needed to prioritize tasks and meet client needs effectively
• Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing client needs and organizational priorities.
• Ethical conduct and integrity to uphold confidentiality and maintain the trust of clients.
• Cultural humility and openness to learning from clients' diverse experiences and perspectives.
• Patience and perseverance to guide clients through complex housing processes and challenges

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate's degree in sociology, psychology, or a related field with 3 years of experience
• Or Any combination of education and experience
• Bachelor's degree preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of HUD Housing Counselor Certificate or ability to obtain within 9 months of hire date
• Adept to Expert level of understanding of National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
1. The physical activity of this position includes:
A. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
B. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
C . Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
D. Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
2. The physical requirements of this position:
A. Office Environment Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Office environment work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are categorized as office environment if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other Office Environment Work criteria are met.
3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field of vision:
A. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following. (Check all of the following which apply): preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcription; computer terminal; extensive reading.
4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
N. None:The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in a typical office or administrative work environment).
Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Dental
Vision
Life
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
401(k)
457
Short-term/Long-term Disability
Dependent Care Plan
Employee Assistance Program
On-Site Health Clinic
Employee Educational Assistance Program
Sick Leave (12 days per year)
Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
Holidays (11 days per year)
Personal Day (1 day per year)
A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at