Housing Counselor - Portland Housing Center : Job Details

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Office & Building Management | Project Manager | Streamlining Operations for Efficient Workplaces

Homebuying Specialist

Position Description

Portland Housing Center (PHC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 with support from the City of Portland, local banks, and a concerned community. We were founded to ensure all Portland residents had equal access to information and resources to achieve homeownership. We specialize in providing first time homebuyers with education, counseling, financial resources, and other homebuying support. We are in search of a full-time HomeBuying Specialist to join our dynamic team.

Position Summary: The HomeBuying Specialist reports directly to the Homeownership Program Director and works closely with other Portland Housing Center staff and community partners to facilitate homebuying transactions. The HomeBuying Specialist is responsible for providing guidance to first-time homebuyers by helping them navigate the homebuying process and assisting them in overcoming barriers to homeownership.

Major Responsibilities:

·Assess homebuyers by collecting and analyzing information regarding income, credit, assets, debts, and other personal financial information.

·Provide pre-purchase guidance, which includes interviewing and developing work and action plans with homebuyers.

·Assist homebuyers in overcoming credit and other barriers to home purchase.

·Counsel homebuyers on the mortgage financing process.

·Make appropriate referrals to and communicate with realtors, lenders, housing professionals, and other community resources.

·Conduct pre-closing meetings and document reviews with homebuyers.

·Maintain up-to-date entry of customer contact and status notes in relevant databases to reflect most current customer information.

·Ensure that each customer contact is tracked in client management system.

·Provide homebuyer readiness information and analysis to the appropriate agency staff.

·Carry out appropriate client follow up per HUD Housing Counseling requirements, while implementing an internal “triage system” that converts mortgage-ready buyers efficiently to lending.

·Maintain a high level of confidentiality per agency policy and HUD Housing Counseling requirements.

·Obtain documentation of client loan closings which includes follow up with lenders and title companies.

·Ensure that data for monthly and quarterly production reports is entered in a timely manner.

·Participate in outreach activities and attend community meetings as assigned.

·Carry out other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

·Minimum of a bachelor's degree or two-years' work experience in a mortgage lending, credit, and/or escrow environment

·Experience assisting consumers in overcoming financial barriers.

·Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

·Knowledge of mortgage underwriting criteria and financial management techniques and tools

·Proficient computer knowledge and experience, including Microsoft Word, Excel and other spreadsheet programs, and data entry

·Demonstrated analytical skills

·Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.

·Demonstrated commitment to affordable housing

·Ability to complete NeighborWorks America homebuying counseling trainings and to obtain appropriate certifications

·Must be able to pass the HUD certified housing counselor examination within two months of hire date

·Demonstrated commitment to working with underserved populations and communities of color

·Must be able to work with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

·Bilingual in English and Spanish

·HUD Housing Counselor Certification

·Facilitation or Co-Facilitation of financial education experience

·Targeted Marketing and Outreach experience

Organizational Performance Measures:

·Work cooperatively with agency staff to carry out organizational goals

·Adhere to organizational policies and procedures

·Promote the Portland Housing Center and its services

·Apply an equity lens to all practices and decisions

·Professional experience working with diverse populations

Working Conditions:

PHC provides a typical office environment. This is a full-time position located in Portland, OR. PHC operates on a hybrid work model (currently at least two 8-hour days per week in the office) which is subject to change. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel to other training locations is periodically required.

The salary range for this full-time position is $51,051-$61,733, commensurate with experience and skills. Portland Housing Center offers excellent benefits, including PTO, flex time, medical, dental, vision & prescription insurance, FSA plan, 401k with employer contribution, short-term disability, and optional life, AD&D insurance, & long-term disability.

Portland Housing Center is committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) and equal pay to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We continually review and improve our company to ensure it's a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

Furthermore, we strongly encourage women, people of color, and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply, even if you don't meet every single requirement listed. Research shows that women and people of color often hesitate to apply unless they meet all the qualifications listed—but we believe that passion, potential, and diverse perspectives are just as important. If this role excites you and you think you could be a great fit, we want to hear from you! We are committed to building an inclusive organization, which includes individuals from less traditional backgrounds. Your unique experiences and insights are valued and could have a meaningful impact on the work we do.

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified applicants to submit a resume and cover letter by email to [email protected]. This position is open until filled.

Cover letters are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Seniority level

• Seniority levelEntry level

Employment type

• Employment typeFull-time

Job function

• Job functionOther

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