Counselor - Hybrid Remote

Position Summary

BALANCE is seeking a HYBRID (On Site and Work from home Combination) Housing Counselor in Dallas. Our Housing Counselor will provide accurate, relevant, and helpful information to assist clients and potential clients in developing solutions regarding housing, down‑payment assistance, money management, debt management and credit related issues via in‑person, telephone, or virtual consultation. This position provides counseling and education primarily to clients in Dallas, and possibly across the country when needed.

• Assist clients in developing specific strategies toward home ownership, including lending process, affordability, down‑payment assistance programs, fair housing, and overall financial stability.
• Create written action plans that support the counselor’s conclusions and motivate clients to implement the plan.
• Prepare and mail preliminary paperwork to clients in a timely manner.
• Conduct pre‑purchase first‑time homebuyer education workshops.
• Ensure compliance with current housing regulations.
• Counsel clients on pre‑purchase, rental, default, post‑purchase (if applicable), and reverse mortgage/HECM programs.
• Assist clients in developing strategies to resolve past and present financial concerns, establish and achieve financial goals, and maintain overall financial stability.
• Provide general information on bankruptcy, collections, court judgments, credit issues, credit reports, housing issues, consumer protection laws, student loans, wage attachments, and financial planning.
• Assess clients’ available monthly income after living expenses to meet credit obligations.
• Explain credit report ratings and protection laws to clients and answer questions.
• Promptly answer incoming client calls and determine the nature of the problem or question.
• Provide information about national and community resources and refer clients as appropriate.
• Schedule appointments, confirm daily appointments, reschedule as necessary, and perform regular follow‑ups.
• Perform ongoing casework elements to provide service and problem‑solving assistance for client inquiries and account management.
• Other duties may be assigned.

• Familiarity with city, state and federal housing programs.
• Strong commitment to assisting families and individuals toward self‑sufficiency.
• Analytical, problem‑solving, technical, customer service, interpersonal, oral and written communication, teamwork, quality management, ethics, and organizational support skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, and governmental regulations.
• Sound judgment, motivation, planning/organizing, professionalism, safety, security, adaptability, punctuality, dependability, initiative, innovation, and reasoning ability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.).
• Computer skills: spreadsheet software, word processing, and internet research.
• Mathematical ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four‑year college or university; or two to four years of related experience and/or training in EAP, financial services, counseling, banking, credit or collection; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• HUD Housing Counselor Certification (within 90 days)
• HUD HECM Counselor Certification (required training in Chicago in February)
• NCHEC Housing related certification(s)
• Money Coach Program

Bi‑lingual capabilities preferred in Spanish.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is usually moderate in noise level. This hybrid role requires a minimum of two days a week in the Dallas office with the remainder of the work week being work from home. Candidates must have a private work area to conduct their work. Travel will be required for training.

$24 - $25 per hour