Housing Services Housing Counselor

Salary: $25.45 - $30.08 Hourly
Location : Des Moines, IA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 3525-1-2024
Department:Housing Services
Opening Date: 01/17/2024
Closing Date: 2/12/2024 4:00 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME
Occupational Group: Civil Service
Location of Vacancy: Housing
Recruitment: Entrance
Selection Method: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE RATING: An education and experience rating will be completed on all qualified applicants. Those applicants deemed most qualified may be scheduled for an interview. Qualified applicants who need a reasonable accommodation must inform this office at (515) 283-4213 or TTY Iowa Relay at 711 or 1-800-735-2942, by the application closing.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
Position Overview: The Housing Counselor is responsible for working with clients to help them prepare for the purchase of a home and the subsequent responsibilities of homeownership. Provides counseling and group education to clients seeking, financing, purchasing, maintaining, and renting or owning a home, including administrative responsibilities.
Come work with us! The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Residency Incentive Program
• Alternative Work Schedule Options
• Paid Volunteer Time-Off
• Parental Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Activities
• Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS
• Deferred Compensation Plan with City Match up to 2.5%
• Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
• Employee Discount Program

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology or related field, and
• Some experience in social work, community services pertaining to housing counseling or a housing-related field, or
• An equivalent combination in which one year of experience in social work, community services pertaining to housing counseling or a housing-related field may be substituted for one year of education. However, no more than two years of experience may be substituted for two years of education.

College transcripts must be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by the application deadline to receive credit. Please send electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail or hand delivery to 1551 E MLK Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50317 by the application deadline.
Required Special Qualifications

• Candidates for positions in this class must submit a transcript, either official or unofficial, from the college or university degree awarded;
• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen;
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility;
• HUD housing counseling certification within six months of employment.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Establishes client files, prepares client case plans, and provides direct homeownership and/or renters counseling.
• Meets individually with clients to provide financial coaching and housing counseling, using HUD's Housing Counseling Rules and Regulations as a guide.
• Provides homeownership education classes and prepares clients for homeownership.
• Makes client referrals tailored to each client's unique circumstances.
• Works with clients to prepare a budget, track expenses and provide strategies for budget improvements.
• Develops and assists clients with action plans to help them meet their goals.
• Assists clients in accessing and understanding financial programs and calculators.
• Conducts in-take interviews; makes determinations of eligibility for housing and social services assistance.
• Confers with various housing and social service agencies, realtors, lenders, and creditors, exchanging necessary information regarding clients.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs related work as required.

01
I understand that my responses to the following supplemental questions must be clear and thorough to receive credit. Responses such as "see resume or application, etc. are not applicable.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess college education in sociology, psychology, or a related field? If so, transcripts are required and must be received by Human Resources by the application deadline date to receive credit. Transcripts may be attached to the online application or submitted separately by email at humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to (515) 237-1680, or by mail or hand delivery to 1551 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Des Moines, IA 50317.

• I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline and have attached my transcripts to my application.
• I understand college transcripts are required by the application deadline and I have requested my transcripts.
• I have not taken college coursework and do not have college transcripts to submit.

03
Describe your work experience in housing counseling, housing related finance, and residential real estate. Include where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".
04
Describe any work experience you have with education/social work/community services pertaining to housing. Include where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".
05
Describe any work experience you have coaching or counseling clients. Include where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".
06
Do you possess the HUD Housing Counseling certification? If so, proof of certification is required by the application deadline date to receive credit.

• Yes, I possess the HUD Housing Counseling Certification and have attached proof of certification to my application.
• No, I do not possess the HUD Housing Counseling Certification.

Required Question