Job Description

Latino Economic Development Center

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is a non-profit, tax-exempt community development organization founded in 1991. LEDC’s mission is to drive the economic and social advancement of low- to moderate-income Latinos and other D.C. area residents by equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve financial independence and become leaders in their communities. We achieve our mission through small business development and lending, homeownership counseling and affordable housing preservation.

Housing Counseling Program
LEDC is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency that helps families in the Metropolitan area, and Baltimore to buy their first home and save their homes from foreclosure.  LEDC accomplishes these goals by providing financial capability education and counseling, first-time homebuyers group education and individual counseling, providing foreclosure counseling and loss mitigation support.

The Bilingual Housing Counselor will provide direct housing counseling and group education to LEDC clients around the home purchase process, financial capability, rental counseling, foreclosure prevention, and first-time homebuyer programs in the Metropolitan area, and Baltimore. The Bilingual Housing Counselor will work closely with the entire Housing Counseling Team and report to the Housing Counseling Program Manager- MD. The position requires to work one day a week from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and at least one Saturday per month. The Bilingual Housing Counselor will be responsible for the following:

-        Provide individual counseling to residents in the markets that LEDC operates to support them meeting their housing goals, including:

o   learning about their rights and obligations as tenants -Rental Counseling,

o   taking care of their financial health - budgeting, establishing, and improving credit - Financial Capability,

o   becoming homeowners -pre-purchase,

o   protecting and maintaining their investment - foreclosure prevention and post-purchase in the markets that LEDC provides services.

-        Effective communication skills when interacting with clients through phone, email, text, in-person, and virtually.

-        Analyze and discuss clients’ financial capacity to buy a home and create financial action plans with clients.

-        Provide in-person or virtual counseling to residents ready to apply to down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers, financial assistance for homeowners, and renters affordable units.

-        Maintain constant communications with the professionals involved in the home buying process, such as underwriters, loan officers, realtors, and settlement agents, to support homebuyers

-        Provide technical assistance related to housing counseling, such as submitting and tracking paperwork for first-time homebuyer programs or foreclosure prevention.

-        Document and track data related to housing counseling services utilizing CounselorMax and other applicable tools.

-        Communicate effectively with underwriters for the down payment assistance programs for the collection of documents to ensure first-time homebuyer programs are granted through proper guidelines and procedures.

-        Assist homeowners with applying to other post-purchase programs to prevent mortgage delinquencies and utility assistance programs. 

-        Conduct group workshops and presentations on home purchase, foreclosure prevention, and financial capability.

-        Conduct community outreach for housing counseling services

-        Assist in the completion of reports for assigned programs in a timely and efficient manner.

-        Participate in the housing counseling and foreclosure prevention efforts in the markets that LEDC operates.

-        Documentation and case management procedures skills are required as well as best practices in the field of housing counseling.

-        Obtain and keep NCHEC certifications in the housing counseling disciplines by attending training as needed for professional development, including occasional travel outside the area.

Required Qualifications:

-        Bachelor’s Degree or 2-3 years commensurate work experience.

-        Obtain the HUD-Housing Counseling Certification in the first 90 days.

-        Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office as well as CounselorMax or another database platform.

-        Strong organizational skills to meet deadlines and program goals.

-        Flexible work schedule, including ability to work evenings and Saturdays.

-        Bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to write, speak, and communicate proficiently.

Preferred Qualifications:

-        LEDC has a strong preference for an experienced certified housing counselor, preferably HUD-certified.

-        Energetic and detail-oriented team player with a deep commitment to high-quality housing counseling and service delivery.

-        At least two years of previous housing counseling experience.

-        Ability to work well with others, be a good listener, think creatively and work independently.

-        Strong desire to help others from a diverse group of individuals, including limited English-speaking communities.

This is a full-time, 40-hour/week position that requires some nights and Saturday hours. 

Salary:  $52,000 -$55,000 Annual Salary

To apply, send your cover letter and resume to housingjobs@ledcmetro.org with the subject: MD Bilingual Housing Counselor-MD. No phone calls please.

To learn more about LEDC visit www.ledcmetro.org.

LEDC is an EEO employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. In accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, LEDC takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants and employees covered are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic that is protected by applicable law. For more information about your equal employment opportunity rights, please view this poster: EEO is the Law. LEDC also participates in E-Verify. 

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