About Job

Position Overview

The Housing Counselor plays a critical role in supporting the agency’s mission to provide safe, affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families, with a specific focus on serving eligible USDA 502 Direct Loan applicants and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs) under the Department of Labor’s MSFW Program. This HUD-Certified role provides one-on-one and group counseling, facilitates outreach and education activities, and helps clients overcome credit and financial barriers to homeownership. The counselor ensures compliance with all HUD Housing Counseling Program guidelines and integrates service delivery with USDA and DOL programmatic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct client intake and eligibility screening in accordance with HUD and USDA/DOL program requirements.
Enter and maintain client information in the CounselorMax system and ensure documentation meets HUD file retention and audit standards.
Deliver individual counseling on credit, budgeting, debt reduction, and homebuyer education, with a focus on measurable progress toward homeownership.
Develop individualized action/workout plans and follow-up procedures to support client financial readiness and long-term success.
Facilitate group workshops and financial literacy sessions in both English and Spanish (preferred) for target populations.
Perform outreach and recruitment activities to identify and engage eligible MSFW individuals and families, including community presentations, coordination with local partners, and on-site visits.
Collaborate with USDA Rural Development staff and DOL program operators to ensure seamless referrals and program alignment for shared clients.
Track and report program activities and outcomes according to USDA 502 and DOL MSFW grant metrics, deliverables, and timelines.
Maintain confidentiality of client data and ensure all services are provided in a culturally responsive, equitable, and respectful manner.
Travel between sites and partner locations as needed, including agricultural sites, community events, and partner offices.
Assist with program audits, grant documentation, and other compliance-related tasks.
Participate in professional development opportunities to remain current on housing counseling, USDA/DOL program updates, and HUD regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the housing program and organizational mission.

Qualifications

HUD-Certified Housing Counselor (REQUIRED).
Associate’s degree or higher in a related field (e.g., human services, housing, finance) preferred.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in housing counseling or direct service, especially with low-income or farmworker populations.
Knowledge of the USDA 502 Direct Loan Program and DOL MSFW Program strongly preferred.
Experience with outreach and education in culturally diverse, rural, or underserved communities.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HUD-approved software (e.g., CounselorMax).
Bilingual (Spanish/English) highly desirable.
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Office setting with regular travel to outreach sites and client meetings.
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. and set up workshop materials.
May require evening and weekend hours based on program needs.

Note:

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization and comply with grant obligations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $24.04 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits: