Certified Housing Counselor
St. James Parish Government is hiring a Certified Housing Counselor for the Department of Human Services/Elderly Services.
JOB FUNCTION: This position will be responsible for conducting housing counseling activities within the department. This position is also responsible for writing and submitting correspondences, grant applications, proposals, and reporting requirements to prospective foundations, corporations and government funders. This position is classified as full time hourly and essential during emergencies or natural disasters and exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Research and develop funding proposals in coordination with housing and financial literacy activities to achieve goals and objectives
- Write correspondences, grant applications, and proposals to prospective foundations, organizations and government funders
- Assist clients with information and referral to the various loan/grant programs offered to purchase or repair a home and foreclosure prevention
- Provide counseling and technical assistance to all program participants
- Conduct outreach activities and community presentations, when necessary
- Host one-on-one housing counseling sessions and group workshops with clients and information/referral (pre/post purchasing rent or mortgage delinquency, reviewing credit reports, foreclosures, etc.)
- Maintain case management system on all clients
- Prepare data recording and monthly/quarterly/annually activity reports for funders and administration
- Attend staff meetings, council meetings, training, and conferences ass required
- Perform special and related duties or assignments ass requested
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a Housing Counseling Certification from HUD or an accredited program and/or institution.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: A Housing Counseling Certification for HUD and or accredited institution.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:
Strategic Thinking - Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
Planning/Organizing - Plans for additional resources; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelors degree in Business, Economics, Sociology, Public Relations, Journalism, or related fields. Must possess leadership and organization skills. Must be able to manage multiple writing projects simultaneously. Work with minimal supervision; above average oral and written communications skills. Should be a self-starter, highly motivated, and an innovator. Knowledge of community action concepts and objectives desired.
St. James Parish is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. The parish will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but not limited to veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, agree or political affiliations.