Program Specialist

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) seeks a Program Specialist to support clients facing housing and financial challenges in Massachusetts. Responsibilities include intake, eligibility determinations, benefits access, and case management while collaborating with the HCEC team.

We value empathy, integrity, and strong communication skills, with experience in budgeting, credit repair, and landlord/tenant laws.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of income, assets, and credit review experience.
• At least 1 year budgeting and financial reporting experience.
• Experience in Banking or Finance is a plus.
• Strong time management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and database systems.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect intake and assessment for presenting and surrounding needs.
• Determine client eligibility and help access benefits.
• Enter client information into internal databases.
• Provide housing information and referral services.
• Assist with applications, budgeting, and rent/utility negotiations and other financial applications.
• Provide case management and follow-up to connect clients to services.
• Develop partnerships with providers to ensure seamless delivery of services.
• Make home visits on a limited basis as needed.
• Prepare program reports for management and funders.

Skills

Customer service

Time management

Communication

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Database systems

Job description

Front-line contact individual for clients that may be eligible for this program. They will be responsible for providing information and referral services, brief counseling, and in some cases, more in depth case management and education/training in the following areas: family budgeting and financial literacy, tenant rights and responsibilities, landlord obligations under Massachusetts law, and other housing and life skill related topics. In addition, Program Specialist will be a vital and important member of the HCEC (Housing Consumer Education Center) team and will be expected to work with non-RAFT clients when time allows.

Responsibilities:

• Collect initial intake and assessment for presenting and surrounding needs to walk-ins, phone clients, and others seeking services.
• Work with the HCEC team (Housing Consumer Education Center) to determine client eligibility, along with working with eligible clients to access and manage benefits.
• Entry of client information into all relevant internal databases, along with data bases.
• Provide housing program and services information and referral services to walk-ins, phone clients, and other.
• Obtain resources and services as requested and/or needed to address clients’ needs including but not limited to applications, housing applications, negotiation and mediation with property owners and utility companies, assistance with financial applications, budget counselling, money management and credit repair, tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities, housing search, fair housing, and discrimination laws/complaints and federal and state rental assistance programs.
• Provide information and referral, brief counselling, or extended case management for clients in the following areas: Budgeting and credit repair, tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities, housing search, and other areas as needed.
• Collaborate with other Client Resources team members in providing counselling and /or case management services.
• Develop partnerships with internal and external providers to ensure comprehensive and seamless delivery of services.
• Provide case management services to clients, maintaining on-going relationships and follow up to ensure that they are connected to community supports and services.
• Make home visits to clients on a limited basis, including but not limited to those who are disabled and/or those whose needs indicate home based intervention.
• Prepare program reports as required by management and Program funders.
• Lead with Integrity, Empathy, Empowerment, Pride, and Passion as Part of our Community with a Commitment to a Better Tomorrow.

Requirements:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience with income, assets, and credit reviews. Experience assisting clients with housing and economic stabilization barriers.
• Minimum of one (1) year financial budgeting and reporting experience.
• Experience in Banking or Finance industry is a plus, not required.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to work collaboratively with clients, colleagues, and internal stakeholders. Strong customer service skills.
• Sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations.
• Experience in business and customer service; strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, database systems, etc.
• Possess a high level of attention to detail and accuracy. Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong clerical and data entry skills (filing, record-keeping, and document management).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, along with software systems.
• Bilingual skills; (English/Spanish) preferred.