Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Home Ownership Specialist

Job Type
Homeownership Counselor
Organization
South Middlesex Opportunity Council
Contact Name
Stasi Borden
Contact Email
sborden@smoc.org
Contact Phone
Address

7 Bishop Street
Framingham, MA
United States

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Home Ownership Specialist is responsible for recruiting eligible participants who hold a federal mobile section 8 voucher and provide them with case management and home buying counseling with the ultimate goal of preparing them to purchase a permanent home.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Create and distribute outreach materials to Section 8 tenants for recruitment and enrollment purposes in collaboration with FSS Program Supervisor and the Supporting Neighborhood Opportunity Mobility Specialist. 
  • Conduct Intake assessment to assist the participant in creating realistic short and long-term goals related to but not limited to higher education, employment opportunities, financial literacy and homeownership.  
  • Develop service plans that reflect their goals including education, training and employment goals and work closely with participants to identify and build upon strengths and develop strategies to address barriers.   
  • Provide ongoing case management to participants to monitor progression of their goals and make referrals to multiple internal and external resources when appropriate.  Interact with participants in an engaging and respectful way while maintaining confidentiality and personal boundaries.
  • Accompany individual participants and/or group of participants in home purchasing activities related to but not limited to open houses, home improvement workshops. 
  • Innovate and lead meetings and/or workshops related to homeownership including but not limited to financial literacy, real estate, home purchasing, lending, home improvement and other relevant topics as identified by the needs of the participants.
  • Identify partners within the community in fields relevant to the home purchasing process including but not limited to real estate, lending, home purchasing, home improvement and/or financial literacy to provide site based and in-house educational workshops on the home buying process.   
  • Provide comprehensive home buying counseling in accordance to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 
  • Maintain an accurate record of the matched savings or escrow account for each FSS participant as they become eligible.   Review and approve interim disbursement requests from participants and process payments in a timely manner.  
  • Compose a monthly and/or quarterly newsletter to correspond with current participants and market the FSS Home Ownership program to prospective participants within the SMOC section 8 portfolio. 
  • Track and monitor match savings and FSS escrow for reporting purposes and compile data for quarterly and annual reports as needed. 
  • Summarize the experiences of participants to share successes and lessons learned from the program for reporting and promotional purposes for annual reporting. 
  • Ensure compliance and uphold all agency, state and federal rules and regulations in accordance to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 
  • Input data and generate reports utilizing the relevant software systems such as MRI Tenmast Real Estate Software, DHCD Tracking Tool and Community Software Group.
  • Monitor FSS client progress, training, and employment plans.
  • Attend required trainings, relevant meetings, and administrative meetings, as necessary.
  •  Attend job related trainings and obtain required certifications especially related to financial literacy and homeownership.  
  • Participate in initiatives relevant to Family Self Sufficiency participants 
  • Assist the Family Self Sufficiency Program Supervisor and Program Director in providing necessary reporting measures 
  • Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
  • Attend & participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
  • Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS 

  • BS/BA or equivalent in Human Services preferred.      
  • Desire to work with moderate income, culturally diverse families and individuals. 
  • Knowledge of community resources and geographical location.   
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.  
  • Ability to consistently meet deadlines.  
  • Attention to detail.  And ability to keep accurate and timely records.  
  • Ability and comfort with leading and speaking to small groups.
  • Proficient with Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.  
  • HUD Housing Counseling certification is required within one year of employment.  
  • Bachelor’s degree is preferred. 
  • Financial coaching certification and/or equivalent preferred. 
  • Experience in lending, real estate, financial literacy, housing and/or working knowledge of the Home Ownership Purchasing process is preferred. 
  • Must have a driver’s license and ability to travel within the state of Massachusetts

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Mobility to use office machines
  •  Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
  •  Ability to lift 30 pounds of archive boxes filled with files
  • Ability to drive and/or transport clients 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

  • Directly reports to Family Self Sufficiency Program Supervisor. 
  • Direct reports of this position are none

WORKING CONDITIONS 

As part of the responsibilities of this position, the FSS Home Ownership Specialist will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.  A successful background check is required.

Application Instruction

Resume and cover letter can be sent to sborden@smoc.org