Housing Counselor

San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center 

JOB TITLE:  Housing Counselor

REPORTS TO:  Associate Director of Housing Programs

STATUS: Full-Time/Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION: $24.50 Per Hour (Annual Salary is $50,960). Competitive Salary includes paid medical insurance, paid vacation time, personal days, health days, and holidays  

SCHEDULE: Mon-Fri; flexibility required (monthly Saturdays, some weekday evenings)

GENERAL SUMMARY: The Housing Counselor is responsible for leading, coordinating and supporting the implementation of housing and financial services programs. The primary programs are our First Time Homebuyer program, Rental program, and Lending Circles. Overall responsibilities include program planning and evaluation, provision of one-on-one financial counseling including counseling for first time homebuyers and renters, provision of financial services workshops, grant reporting, supervision of volunteers and collaboration with consultants working with the Manager of Financial Services to develop and implement program activities.

Learn more about the SF LGBT Center and all our programs at www.sfcenter.org. 

The candidate should exemplify our team values, including:  

• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and inclusion 
• Commitment to serve the most vulnerable (transgender/gender non-conforming people, people of color, people with disabilities, people who are marginally housed or homeless, unemployed and underemployed people, low-income people, etc.) 
• Accountability and transparency 
• Compassion and humility  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Under the direction of the Associate Director of Housing Programs, this position:

• Supports all aspects of the Center's housing and financial services programs, including outreach, delivery of program activities, evaluation and program administration. 
• Provides individual services to program participants, including intakes and assessment, client services eligibility, identify immediate needs in order to provide financial services to LGBTQ participants, and link them to the appropriate services. 
• Conducts one-on-one counseling with participants, including working with each participant to assess their financial situation, goals and needs. Assists participants in developing a budget and setting financial goals; produce written action plans that support their goals.
• Motivate participants to implement the established plan, and provide on-going one-on-one support as needed to assist participants in meeting established goals and priorities; provide service and problem-solving assistance for participant inquiries and case management.
• Provide information and/or referral to participants on financial literacy issues, including, but not limited to bankruptcy, collection action, court judgment, credit education, credit reports, housing issues, consumer protection laws, etc.
• Explain credit report ratings and protections laws to participants and provide answers to participants' questions.
• Support scheduling and logistical support for intake appointments and orientation sessions, and processing of program applications and client data, and coordination of VITA volunteers.
• Assist in helping the department maintain our HUD certification. This includes thorough recordkeeping and client follow up, as well as assisting with quarterly reporting requirements.
• Helps design and implement initiatives that build the financial security of participants, including projects which integrate our other programs including workforce development and small business (examples include: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Lending Circles)
• Contributes ideas and implements outreach and marketing strategies to increase overall awareness of our services and to recruit participants for specific workshops and programs
• Provide recruitment, supervision and training of program interns, volunteers and consultants
• Manages relationships with key funders including but not limited to HomeownershipSF, the Mayor’s Office of Housing and corporate funders
• Coordinates and facilitates monthly program workshops, including first time homebuyer workshops, rental workshops, and financial literacy workshops.
• Builds partnerships with other Center staff and collaborative agencies. 
• Represents the agency in various financial services and economic development meetings and events. 
• Supports all administrative functions of the Financial Services Program, including monthly, quarterly and annual reports with program statistics and written narratives.  
• Actively participate as a member of the Economic Development team. Support Economic Development program activities, and general Center functions as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 

• Cultural humility and demonstrated commitment to the transgender community and familiarity with the diversity of transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities and experiences are required. 
• A minimum of two years of experience in financial services, access to housing, asset building, first time homebuyers programs or other experience building the financial security of low to moderate income individuals.
• Spanish bilingual skills highly desired. Fluency in English is required.   
• Detail-oriented, hardworking, and able to complete paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.  
• Excellent presentation skills, including networking and public speaking or group facilitation. 
• Strong communication and conflict resolution skills, ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills and ability to work both independently and within a team-oriented organizational structure. Experience working collaboratively with multiple agencies desired.  
• Strong verbal and written communications skills. 
• Computer proficient in MS Office or similar programs, understanding of concept of relational database, competent in using Internet and excellent research abilities.  
• Innovative and entrepreneurial approach, including solution-oriented approaches to complex issues. Ability to adapt to changing environment and priorities.  
• Commitment to the mission of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center.  Experience and commitment to working in a multicultural environment. 
• Must be able to work in a culturally diverse and fast paced environment. 
• Requires flexibility in working some evenings and/or weekend hours. 

THE SF LGBT CENTER  

The mission of the Center is to connect our diverse community to opportunities, resources and each other to achieve our vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBT people and our allies.  The Center’s strategies inspire and strengthen our community by: 

• Fostering greater opportunities for people to thrive. 
• Organizing for our future. 
• Celebrating our history and culture. 
• Building resources to create a legacy for future generations. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 

The SF LGBT Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or inter-sex are encouraged to apply. The SF LGBT Center maintains a policy of non-discrimination with respect to employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any matter by race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, physical disability (including HIV or AIDS), medical condition, perceived physical disability or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by statute. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Submit both resume and cover letter expressing your interest, experience, and qualifications to:  

The SF LGBT Community Center 
1800 Market Street 
San Francisco CA 94102 

www.sfcenter.org 

Email: jobs@sfcenter.org Or fax to: (415) 865-5501 

Please include: Housing Counselor in subject line.  

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. DEADLINE: Open until filled