Housing Services Counselor II (Grant/FT/Benefits)

Job Description Summary:

The current Housing Services Counselor II position is a hybrid position that includes duties and responsibilities associated with a Program Eligibility Analyst I. This position is responsible for providing comprehensive individual and group housing counseling services in the areas of financial capability, rental counseling, home ownership, foreclosure counseling, fair housing, and eviction prevention. The team member shall also perform a level of services required by HUD and Harford County. Supervision shall be under the Housing Services Coordinator. Additional responsibilities include but may not be limited to performing initial eligibility interviews and annual recertification of participating families, handling family moves, HCV terminations, interim changes, correspondence, telephone inquiries, and scheduling, as well as file maintenance, file scanning, front desk coverage, telephone coverage, and other duties as assigned. This staff person will consult with service agencies, tenants, and owners under the guise of a Program Eligibility Analyst.

Harford County Government Core Values are essential to successful job performance and this position, as with all positions at Harford County, is accountable for integrating Core Values in the execution of responsibilities. Housing Services Counselor II supervises Housing Services Counselor I employees.

Job Description:

BUDGETED SALARY: $70,000.00 - $82,000.00

Essential Duties:

• Provides comprehensive housing counseling services in the areas of, but not limited to, homebuyer education, financial literacy, rental counseling, home ownership, foreclosure counseling, home improvement and rehabilitation, energy conservation, fair housing and eviction prevention
• Maintains client files and performs data entry on web-based client data management system
• Researches and prepares Federal, State and local housing counseling grants
• Participates in public meetings, provides outreach to the public and participates in educational programs regarding housing issues
• Keeps abreast of all Federal, State, and local housing regulations
• Prepares monthly, quarterly or annual reports as required
• Coordinates monthly first-time home buyer workshops and annual housing fair

Years of Experience: 5 years of related experience

Years of Supervisory Experience: 1 year experience supervising or managing teams

Education: Bachelor's Degree - Sociology, Behavior Science, or related field

Certifications, Licensures, and Examinations: Must be a HUD Housing Certified Counselor - Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program policies and procedures
• Knowledge of the federal rental housing program Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Ability to lead, teach and coach others in acquiring new skills;
• Skilled listener, ability to practice actively listening
• Public speaking and presentation skills; Knowledge of standards of confidentiality and ethical practice
• Knowledge of the home buying process, foreclosure laws and special mortgage programs
• Knowledge and understanding of credit, budgeting and financial capability case management
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to facilitate and lead meetings
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of budgetary practices and ability to manage budgets
• Ability to provide internal and external customer service in a courteous manor
• Data entry
• Knowledge of Fair Housing laws
• Knowledge of rental laws and eviction prevention
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel and sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to drive a County vehicle to attend meetings and act as a representative of the Agency

SAFETY: Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.

COMPENSATION: Other compensation may include but is not limited to:

• Overtime
• Compensatory time
• Shift Differentials

BENEFITS:

• Harford County offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:
• Health, Dental & Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation
• Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement

Harford County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.