Housing Specialist

Job Title

Compensation Range: $24.19 - $30.99

Please note: This job opening may close earlier than the stated date, due to high candidate volume. If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Who We Are

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries. We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world!

Our Core Values

• Integrity: Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs.
• Responsibility: A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.
• Partnership: Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships.

What We Offer

The City of High Point offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer a generous benefit package for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans
• PTO earned within first year
• 12 Paid Holidays per year
• Tuition Reimbursement Plan
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one

What You'll Do

Performs professional tasks and is responsible for facilitating the City of High Point's Community Development and Housing programs; performs related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Assistant Director.

Essential Tasks & Responsibilities

• Performs intake interviews, file preparation, client verification, income eligibility, credit report and loan underwriting from potential applicants seeking housing rehabilitation, emergency and/or homebuyer assistance from the City of High Point;
• Develops loan and grant recommendations based on risk assessment, credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and other program criteria for immediate supervisor, loan committee and/or CD Director;
• Understands legal procedures and works with legal department in developing legal documents pertaining to real estate closings, deeds, restrictions, affidavits, request for notice and note preparation, deed recording, loan subordination and necessary contracts pertaining to rehabilitation construction and homebuyer assistance;
• Performs homeownership counseling and homebuyer workshops to potential homebuyers, realtors and lenders assisting in overcoming obstacles in homeownership, and make appropriate referrals to other agencies for assistance;
• Serves as lead housing resource expert for the department; creates and maintains list of available housing options; acts as a liaison between various housing providers to include private landlords, property management companies, local housing authority, etc.
• Works with homeless shelters and transitional housing providers in securing permanent housing for clients;
• Attends neighborhood meetings, public meetings, and events as necessary;
• Promotes marketing of housing programs, identify potential neighborhoods for marketing the programs and prepare informational and marketing packages for mail and public display ( i.e., brochures, fliers, etc.);
• Makes affordable housing presentations to various companies, boards and forums;
• Creates and maintains necessary computer databases and statistics on all rehabilitation, repair and homebuyer programs for departmental use, special reports, and public inquiries;
• Maintains files consisting of all HUD required documentation for each program participant for HUD annual reports and compliance monitoring;
• Manages and tracks affordability periods for loan portfolio and applicable affordable housing development programs;
• Ensures that all work is performed in accordance with OSHA and City Safety Standards and Policies.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in sociology, psychology, communications, or closely related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three (3) years of experience working with CDBG and HOME Programs.
• Must be a HUD Certified Housing Counselor.
• Soft skills critical to the role: takes ownership of duties and responsibilities, ability to multitask and prioritize, flexible, adaptable, collaborative and willing to take on new challenges.
• Must possess strong communication skills (verbal and written); should be comfortable working with any level of employee or manager, property owners, neighborhood and community groups, and the public.
• A self-starter with a high degree of initiative with the ability to work independently.
• A strong ability to multitask is a vital part of this role as well as being organized.
• Understanding of housing laws, regulations, and policies at local, state, and federal levels.
• Knowledge of various housing programs, resources, and assistance available to individuals and families.
• Familiarity with fair housing practices and anti-discrimination laws.
• Awareness of current housing market trends, including rental and homeownership affordability issues.
• Knowledge of financial management principles, including budgeting, credit repair, and debt management.
• Understanding of the social and economic factors contributing to housing instability and homelessness.
• Knowledge of community resources, support services, and referral networks available to clients.
• Counseling and communication skills to effectively engage with clients and provide guidance and support.
• Active listening skills are needed to understand clients' needs, concerns, and preferences.
• Problem-solving skills to assess clients' situations and develop appropriate action plans.
• Case management skills to maintain client records, documentation, and follow-up.
• Must possess a valid North Carolina Driver's License.

Preferred Skills

• Bachelor's Degree
• Bilingual - Spanish

Physical Requirements

Hearing/Speaking - Expressing and/or receiving information by means of spoken word are both necessary to converse with internal and external customers including co-workers, citizens, and applicants.

Visual Abilities – the ability to perceive via eyesight is required for this position:

• Acuity, far – clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Must be able to see from a distance when administering and observing employment tests, operating a motor vehicle, or addressing an audience.
• Acuity, near – clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Must be able to see work-related business documents close at hand.
• Depth perception – Three-dimensional vision and the ability to judge distance and space relationships.
• Field of Vision – the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while eyes are focused on one point. Must be able to see a wide span of area.
• Accommodation – Must be able to adjust the eye lens to glance quickly.

Physical Strength – degree of physical demands typically associated with this position include:

• Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally; and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push or move materials related to the position.
• Type of Physical Demands Reaching - Extending the hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Handling - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand(s). Fingering - Picking, pinching or otherwise working with fingers primarily rather than the entire hand or arm.

Mental Activity/Requirements

Reasoning: Ability to apply principles of logical thinking combined with knowledge of principles and practices of community development programs, ordinances and laws to perform tasks and handle practical situations, comprehend, and respond to a variety of situations in a timely fashion and exercise good judgment.

Mathematics Ability: Using arithmetic and/or Statistics: Ability to direct and oversee the