HUD Certified Housing Counselor

Chicago Urban League; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BCBS Medical Insurance – PPO and low‑d

Aetna Dental & Vision – PPO and low‑co

Flexible Spending Account

401K Retirement Plan – 3% employer mix

Life Insurance $15k

Short & LongTerm Disability

Flexible Time Off

Parental Leave – 6 weeks paid

Twelve Paid Holidays

Job summary

The Chicago Urban League’s Housing Department seeks a Housing Counselor to provide professional counseling in homeownership, rental, and foreclosures, with a strong emphasis on financial capability and budgeting.

The role requires credit analysis, effective coaching, and meticulous file maintenance. It supports data governance, outreach events, and ongoing education, with flexibility for home/office work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• HUD Housing Counseling Certification required.
• Certifications in foreclosure prevention, homeownership counseling, financial capability and rental housing counseling a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and database software; high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide information on all aspects of homeownership from pre-purchase requirements to foreclosure prevention and rental, with a heavy focus on financial coaching.
• Maintain client files and program records according to contractual and grant requirements.
• Manage data integrity and governance in Counselor Max and other CMS systems.
• Attend educational housing programs; maintain essential job skills and core competencies.
• Willing to conduct workshops, seminars and one-on-one coaching activities; virtual or in-person sessions offered monthly.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Financial coaching

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

HUD Housing Counseling Certification

Certifications in foreclosure prevention/homeownership/financial capability/rental housing counseling

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Database software

Job description

Reports to: Vice President of Housing & Financial Empowerment

FMLA: Exempt

Salary Range: $55,000 – $65,000

Primary Function:

This position within the Chicago Urban League’s Housing Department is primarily responsible for providing professional housing counseling services and assistance in all areas of homeownership, rental and/or foreclosures. The Counselor must have good interpersonal skills; possess a working knowledge of financial capability, credit and budgeting as well as individual asset building. The Counselor must also be efficient in analyzing credit reports and be an effective financial coach assisting clients with meeting their financial goals. The counselor must be able to convey suggestions/ideas in a constructive, nonjudgmental and professional manner. The counselor must be organized and efficient in time/work management with a keen sense of urgency. Counselor should need minimal supervision to accomplish these tasks. Must be able to work from home and office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential:

Provides clients with information on all aspects of homeownership from pre-purchasing requirements to foreclosure prevention and rental, with a heavy focus on financial coaching.
Available to clients throughout the entire counseling process to address any problems and/or answer any questions.
Maintains client files and program records according to all contractual and grant requirements.
Manage data integrity and governance in the Counselor Max database and other required CMS (Client Management System) systems.
Attends and participates in educational housing programs; maintains essential job skills and core competencies.
Must be willing to attend 30 hours of continuous education towards recertification every 3 years.
Must be willing to conduct workshops, seminars and one-on-one coaching activities. Virtual or in-person seminars and workshops are offered monthly from 6-10:00 pm.

Internal and External Reporting

Processes and prepares timely reports on clients for periodic audits and contract reviews for CUL staff and funders as required.

Outreach Activities

Assists with and facilitate on-site and off-site housing fairs and seminars.

Nonessential:

Performs other duties/special projects as assigned.

Supervision

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Interaction

The Housing Counselor interacts with internal staff and has extensive contact with outside contacts, clients and vendors.

Knowledge and Skills

This position requires:

• HUD Housing Counseling Certification is a MUST. Certifications in the areas of Pre Purchase Counseling and Homeownership Education are a PLUS.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and/or a minimum of 2 to 4 years of equivalent experience and training in a related field.
• Certifications in foreclosure prevention, homeownership counseling, financial capability and rental housing counseling are a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and database software applications. Exceptional attention to detail and data verification.
• Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment and execution of work with a sense of urgency.
• Accountability for work and have a high level of professional and personal integrity. Trustworthiness with knowledge of confidential client and funding information.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

BENEFITS

• BCBS Medical Insurance – PPO and lowcost plans
• Aetna Dental & Vision – PPO and lowcost plans
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401K Retirement Plan – 3% employer match, vested after 3 years
• Life Insurance $15k coverage
• Short & LongTerm Disability
• Flexible Time Off
• Parental Leave – 6 weeks paid leave for birth/adoption of a child
• Twelve Paid Holidays