Amherst is revolutionizing the way U.S. real estate is priced, managed and financed in order to unlock opportunities for all market participants. Driven by data, analytics, and technology, Amherst has a 20-year history of anticipating where the next risks and opportunities are likely to emerge and designing actionable strategies for investors to capitalize on opportunities across residential real estate, commercial real estate and public securities. Amherst, along with its affiliates and subsidiaries, has more than 900 employees, $5 billion under management and approximately $15 billion under advisement and oversight. www.amherst.com.

The Housing Counselor provides direct services to individuals who are enrolled in CARES program. Rental Education and Counseling involve an ability to engage and motivate clients, a strong understanding of personal finances, the ability to guide clients to build a housing-centered budget and to help communicate with MSR departments.

A day in the life of our Resident Housing Counselor:

• Serve as educator and coach, helping to facilitate the client’s progress towards their goals, including developing and applying a corrective action plan through interviews residents to conduct assessments to identify financial and economic needs of the household

• Provide comprehensive counseling services to existing Main Street Renewal residents. Private counseling sessions cover a broad array of areas related to the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to qualify for, select, finance, lease, maintain, repair, and prevent evictions.

• Works alongside Resident Support Specialist to refer residents with psychosocial or physical needs

• Develops and implements individual service plans; assesses and reassesses residents’ financial systems and available community resources

• Provides case management and maintains documentation in order to accurately evaluate the resident’s progress and ongoing resident and household financial needs.

• Tracking client progress, including document and reflect the outcome of their clients accurately and in a timely manner; Completing/updating client action plan for rental counseling clients; working with the entire CARES team in support of resident success

• Provides information and referrals, as appropriate, and supports residents in connecting to appropriate resources.

• Keeps informed in best practices and community resources

• Participates in budget planning, unit administration, and program development and evaluation.

• Participates in organizational workgroups

• Lead group education in areas of pre-and post-rental education.

• Adhere to case management standards required by HUD and National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling with strict detail-oriented documentation methodology.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with colleagues in Main Street Renewals operations including collections, leasing, and Resident Resolutions

• Coordinate to conduct rental or financial education workshops

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four year accredited institution or equivalent experience

• 2-3 years work experience working providing financial counseling/coaching services in a sensitive manner.

• Understanding of Financial basics including; elements of credit, rental and mortgage requirements, debt management, and budgeting skills.

• Independent worker who possesses case management and time management skills.

Preferred

• 0-1 year of work experience in the social services sector.

• HUD certified or obtain certification within six (6) months of hire.

• Rental Counseling and/or Rental Education.

• Bilingual is preferred.

• Experience in case management and financial coaching.

PERIODIC FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct outreach

• Participate in training courses from accredited training institutions and local programming to maintain awareness of industry changes

• Participate in programmatic meetings/trainings

• Establish partnerships in community for referrals, volunteers, and services.

• Perform other related duties as assigned

JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Proactive, detail-oriented, and practical, and have strong project management, interpersonal, organizational, and multi-tasking.

• Engaging and motivating with individuals; flexible, adaptive, and positive in a fast-paced environment; and willing to learn new skills and techniques to promote program and agency quality and efficiency.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate effectively with clients during one-on-one appointments, workshop presentations; and with team members.

​Amherst is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or veteran status, and encourage all applicants to apply.