Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. (BENI) is a nonprofit organization that provides outreach and free neighborhood services for the thriving Belair-Edison community. We are a resource for homeownership counseling, small business development, asset promotion, and community organizing. We are a one-stop shop for existing and potential Belair-Edison residents and business owners. We are currently seeking a high energy, well organized, full-time Homeownership Specialist.
Job Title: Homeownership Specialist
Department: Housing Counseling
Reports To: Programs Director
SUMMARY
This position is responsible for providing homeownership education for clients seeking homebuyer group workshops, pre-purchase, non-default post purchase, and default/foreclosure prevention counseling services.
Pre-purchase Responsibilities:
§ Provide individual pre-purchase counseling sessions to persons interested in pursuing homeownership
§ Thorough knowledge of first time buyer programs and closing cost assistance
§ Implementation of BENI counseling procedures
§ Ability to development a pool of prospective home buyers to match to properties in target areas
§ Development of on-going relationships with pro-city real estate agents
§ Familiarity with all Healthy Neighborhoods target blocks in the neighborhood and the properties for sale (particularly on these blocks) in Belair-Edison
§ Minimum of 5 homebuyer workshops per year
§ Successful completion of any and all NeighborWorks continuing education counseling courses.
§ As requested, represent agency at various housing events that the agency has been asked to participate in, i.e. Congressman Cummings events, BHPC events, local college events, etc…
§ Ensure that individual counseling files, both hard copy and electronic, are kept to HUD standards.
Post-purchase Responsibilities to include Foreclosure Prevention:
§ Provide financial management and home maintenance education for existing homeowners
§ Educate households seeking assistance with refinance, home improvement or debt consolidation loans
§ Must have an understanding of high-risk mortgage products associated with foreclosures and the ability to analyze loan documents in order to identify predatory or abusive lending. Previous lending experience a plus.
§ Must have excellent people skills and be passionate about assisting homeowners who are in danger of defaulting on their mortgages while coaching these families on ways they can work on the issues on their own.
§ Must be able to advocate for default/foreclosure clients to servicers or mortgage lenders as needed
Other Responsibilities:
§ Perform thorough follow up on all cases; maintain proper electronic and hard copy files on each client; along with updating these files regularly.
§ A high degree of proficiency is needed in Microsoft Office Products
§ Must be able to learn client tracking software as this is critical to case management
§ Support, embrace and implement all BENI counseling procedures
§ High degree of customer service and fast rapport building skills
General
· Attend all group and program staff meetings and trainings
· Active member of the Counseling team
· Performs all other duties as assigned
· Independent transportation is a must
· Ability to work with volunteers as needed and abide by the conflict of interest and confidentiality policies of the program.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
College degree preferable. If no degree must have some college education coupled with some lending and/or housing counseling work experience. Housing certification a plus. If not certified, must be willing to attend training institute and obtain certification within three months of hire date.
LANGUAGE and COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Spanish speaking preferred but not required. Strong written and oral communications skills are a must. Must have an ability to read, analyze, and interpret an array of data and procedures. Must have an ability to write reports and business correspondences. Must have ability to effectively and persuasively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, lenders, home seekers, residents and the general public. Must have excellent social skills with an ability to quickly build rapport with clients and other target audiences. Must have an ability to organize, analyze, and use industry research.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
HUD housing counseling certificates are a plus. If not HUD certified, then most obtain within three months of hire date.
All qualified candidates who are interested in this opportunity, please send convincing cover letter & resume to BENI, 3412 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21213 or email to Florence Kreidler at . May also be sent by fax to 410-485-0728. Accepting application until position is filled.
BENI is an equal opportunity employer and will never discriminated based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, familial status, income or disability. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty fully. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The duties and responsibilities of this position are those considered to be essential but do not represent all job functions that may be required to be performed by this position. Other comparable duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed. Early morning, evening and weekend work required as determined by operational needs or assigned. Also, independent transportation is a must.