Housing Counselor I

Employees perform fundamental tasks related housing assistance, relocation and foreclosure prevention programs. Tasks are of more than average difficulty to establish eligibility for low interest loan programs, deferred payment loans, and loans from local lending institutions for owner-occupant, commercial and/or  investor-owner.  Facilitates citizen access to programs utilizing underwriting criteria requiring a knowledge of credit and real estate practices, principles and laws, and the ability to determine capacity to repay.  Employees process loan and grant applications and are responsible for the expenditure of loan funds utilizing appropriate accounting procedures.  Employees exercise reasonable initiative and independent judgment and must possess considerable knowledge of Federal Community Development Block Grant guidelines on rehabilitation programs, HOME and SHIP program guidelines and other supportive services such as those of the Tampa Housing Authority, Historic Preservation Board, City of Tampa Acquisition Policies, and the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646).  Under general supervision, employees maintain and review financial records, coordinate activities with other agencies and provide direct service to individuals in need of housing assistance.  Tasks involve extensive public contact, often with persons whose financial condition precludes obtaining housing through normal channels; therefore, tact and courtesy are required in dealing with these individuals as well as real estate personnel, City Attorney’s staff, and others.  Work is reviewed through conferences and reports submitted.

Answers questions and refers housing complaints to appropriate agency; provides counseling on budget and debt management to individuals who are in default or have delinquent mortgage payments; assists individuals experiencing difficulty locating, securing, and retaining housing; gathers information from clients including income, debts, family size, net worth, and place of business; conducts credit checks and confirms information gathered; calculates and advises applicants of eligibility for housing loans and grants; makes recommendations as to affordable housing alternative available; assists with credit, real estate, and mortgage terminology, real estate contracts, relocation procedures, real estate law, home maintenance, , and other home ownership matters.  

Prepares and submits applications for governmental housing assistance; analyzes appraisals, surveys and title reports; ascertains clear title through consultation with attorneys, conducts loan settlements, mortgage payoffs, and closeouts; receives, records, and disburses loan and grant proceeds; maintains records of activities.  

Prepares loan packages based on applicant’s ability to repay, credit, and title evaluation, verification of mortgage and income for submittal to the program manager; acts as liaison between city and private sector on loan packaging.  

Prepares and delivers oral presentations concerning processes, procedures, and purposes of various housing assistance programs. 

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge of:  principles and practices of real estate; federal and state guidelines relative to housing assistance programs, local lender underwriting criteria, and state bank statutes that affect leveraging programs; processes and procedures employed in housing counseling; real estate laws; programs and agencies that render housing assistance; basic accounting procedures; Microsoft Office.

Ability to:  evaluate housing information and draw sound conclusions; counsel and communicate effectively with persons of diverse socio-economic backgrounds; prepare and deliver written and oral reports; keep accurate records; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, and the public; work with title companies in analyzing reports and offering solutions for changing title clouds, judgments, and liens.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, human services, urban planning, social sciences, or a related field and one (1) year of experience in mortgage banking, real estate, housing counseling, or credit administration including experience with state and/or federal housing assistance programs; OR

An equivalent combination of education (not less than possession of a high school diploma/GED), training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above.

*NOTE: If selected Florida Real Estate Sales license candidates will be required to place license in an inactive status during employment with the City.

• Possession of a driver's license maybe required. 
• Certification as a Housing Counselor by accredited institution preferred or ability to obtain a certification within one (1) year. 

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION: Please register before you begin the application process. This will enable you to view and re-use information from previously submitted applications to complete and submit any future applications. Please make certain your application is complete and the information you provide clearly demonstrates that you possess the minimum job qualifications as stated in the job announcement. Resumes can be submitted in support of an application, but not in lieu of an application. Resumes and copies of certifications or other required documents may be attached to your online application.