Housing Counseling Program Lead (Virginia)

Position Summary: The Housing Counseling Lead reports directly to the Housing Programs Director and is a hands-on role that is responsible for delivering high-quality housing counseling services while helping grow the organization’s housing counseling footprint, partnerships, and strategic opportunities. This position will support LEDC’s evaluation of market need and expansion of services in Virginia, while ensuring high-quality service delivery across LEDC’s housing counseling activities and providing direct client services.

This role is ideal for a strong Housing Counseling practitioner who can maintain excellence in client service and compliance while also operating externally to build partnerships, strengthen visibility and support sustainable growth. The position bridges program delivery and business development, helping ensure expansion efforts are grounded in community need, operational reality, and measurable impact.

Please note, this is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position that requires evening and Saturday hours. Additionally, it requires travel to Richmond and areas outside of Arlington County. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct Housing Counseling

• Provide one-on-one counseling to clients, including credit improvement, homebuyer readiness and foreclosure prevention services.  
• Coordinate and deliver group education workshops as needed. 
• Conduct client assessments, develop action plans, track progress, and maintain timely follow-up. 
• Ensure all counseling files, case notes and outcomes are documented accurately and in compliance with HUD, state, local and funder requirements. 
• Support clients in achieving housing stability and homeownership goals.  
• Contribute to strong client outcomes, including mortgage readiness, credit improvement, increased savings, prevention of housing instability and successful home purchase. 

Partnerships & Market Development

• Build and manage partnerships with local governments, employers, lenders, real estate professionals, developers, community-based organizations and anchor institutions. 
• Maintain a strong relationship with Virginia Housing and attend counselor meetings. 
• Coordinate with the Development team to prioritize partnership & funding opportunities. 
• Support identification of new initiatives and opportunities for program expansion in Virginia, exploring opportunities to partner with non-traditional partners in the business community to design programs that support affordable home ownership.  
• Maintain deep knowledge of housing market conditions, affordability trends, mortgage products, subsidy programs and policy changes affecting clients. 
• Represent the organization externally at meetings, convenings, fairs and community events – may take place on evenings & weekends. 

Program Coordination & Collaboration

• Assist the Director of Housing Programs with administrative and reporting responsibilities.  
• Coordinate scheduling of homebuyer education, financial capability and other workshops.  
• Assist in monitoring and improving housing counseling processes. 
• Ensure HUD and other funders' program compliance and maintain detailed electronic case files.  
• Support coordination of outreach and community engagement efforts across markets.  

Data & Reporting

• Track and document counseling services using CounselorMax or future-state CRM system. 
• Support data quality control and reporting to funders.
• Assist in evaluating program outcomes and identifying areas for improvement.

Team Support & Training

• Provide peer guidance and support to housing counselors.  
• Assist with onboarding and training of new counselors.  
• Participate in continuing education and professional development opportunities.  

Specific duties may vary based on program needs, funding requirements, and operational priorities. As the role evolves, additional responsibilities may be assigned.

Required Qualifications:

We recognize that candidates may meet these qualifications in different ways and encourage individuals with a passion for community-centered work to apply, even if their experience does not align perfectly with every item listed.

• Bachelor's Degree & 4 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Strong background in housing counseling and case management.
• Familiarity with housing counseling reporting requirements and funder compliance.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills strongly preferred.
• At least two years of housing counseling experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively, listen actively and think creatively.  
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and CounselorMax or similar database platforms.  
• Detail-oriented team player committed to high-quality service delivery.

Additional Qualifications:

• Availability to work evenings and weekends, as needed, to support program delivery and community events.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to support clients, programs, events, and other office locations.
• Access to reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with professional proficiency in reading, writing, and verbal communication in Spanish.
• HUD Housing Counseling Certification.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field.
• Flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Applicants hired without a current HUD certification are expected to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

Work Environment & Schedule:

• Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners.
• The office environment is generally climate-controlled; however, temperatures may vary, and some individuals may find it too warm or too cool at times.
• Hybrid Work Model: LEDC maintains a hybrid workplace model. In-office schedules vary by team, but all staff are expected to be able to report to the office any day of the week, as needed.
• Schedule: Typical office hours are 9am-5pm, however this role is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position that requires evening and Saturday hours. Additionally, it requires travel to Richmond and areas outside of Arlington County. This is a full-time, exempt role which typically requires 40 hours per week. Some travel or work outside of normal hours may be required.
• Travel: This role requires occasional travel for meetings, trainings, and events within the DMV region. Rarely, occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Primary Reporting Location: 2300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201

Physical Requirements:

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some or all of the following may be required.:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods (e.g., sitting at a desk).
• Ability to move about the office to access files, office machinery, etc.
• Ability to occasionally move/lift/carry up to 10–20 pounds (e.g., office supplies, files, equipment).
• Constant operation of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and scanner.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment (copiers, printers, scanners, telephones)
• The person in this position frequently communicates with staff, external stakeholders and clients who have inquiries about our services and/or their cases. The incumbent must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Constantly views and reads information on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, over the phone, and in writing.
• Ability to see details at close range (within a few feet).
• Ability to hear and respond to spoken communication during meetings, calls, and office interactions.
• Regularly works in an office setting with moderate noise levels.
• Ability to enter and move through commercial buildings, including navigating stairs, elevators, hallways, and uneven surfaces.
• Occasionally required to travel to external locations for meetings, trainings, or events.

This list is not exhaustive, and other reasonable physical requirements may be assigned as needed to support the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Compensation & Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $75,000.00 - $85,334.00, commensurate with experience and team budget and covers all hours worked. LEDC provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Options for employer-paid healthcare, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Paid sick leave, vacation, and personal days.
• Additional benefits and resources to support employee wellbeing.

How To Apply:

Send your cover letter* and resume to housingjobs@ledcmetro.org, with a subject line of: Housing Counseling Program Lead - VA. No phone calls please!

*In lieu of a cover letter, you may send your responses to the following questions: 

• Why are you interested in this role?
• How do your skills and experiences make you a good candidate for this role?
• How do your values and experience align with LEDC’s mission to drive economic growth in our region by equipping individuals with the skills and resources to achieve financial prosperity through homeownership and building thriving businesses?