Home Journey Housing Counselor – Short-Term… at Habitat for… · Omaha

Description

The Homeownership Housing Counselor – Short-Term Services provides individualized housing counseling and financial coaching to individuals and families who are on a shorter path to homeownership, typically achieving program goals within 12 months. This position serves clients who require focused support to improve financial readiness, strengthen credit, increase savings, and successfully navigate the homebuying process.

The counselor partners closely with clients through one-on-one counseling, financial education, and action planning to remove barriers to homeownership while ensuring clients remain on track toward mortgage readiness. This position serves as an individual contributor and collaborates with Program staff, mortgage lending staff, and community partners to deliver timely, client-centered services.

Requirements

What You'll Do

Provide Housing Counseling & Financial Coaching

• Deliver one-on-one housing counseling services to prospective homebuyers pursuing short-term homeownership goals.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of income, expenses, debt, credit, savings, and overall mortgage readiness.
• Develop personalized action plans that help clients achieve homeownership objectives within approximately 12 months.
• Conduct follow-up counseling sessions to monitor progress, address challenges, and update action plans as needed.
• Guide clients in overcoming barriers to mortgage qualification and homeownership success.

Educate & Prepare Future Homeowners

• Educate clients on budgeting, credit improvement, debt reduction, savings strategies, and financial wellness.
• Help clients understand mortgage lending requirements and the homebuying process.
• Review financial documentation and identify opportunities to improve mortgage readiness.
• Prepare clients for successful participation in Habitat Omaha's homeownership programs and mortgage process.
• Support and facilitate homebuyer education workshops and financial education opportunities.

Coordinate Client Success

• Collaborate closely with Habitat Omaha's mortgage team, program staff, and community partners to support client progress.
• Connect clients with community resources and support services when additional assistance is needed.
• Ensure clients receive timely communication, guidance, and support throughout their homeownership journey.
• Promote positive client experiences through exceptional customer service and relationship-building.

Manage Documentation & Program Outcomes

• Maintain accurate client files, case notes, program records, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with agency, programming, and HUD-related requirements.
• Track client progress and outcomes to support reporting and program evaluation.
• Meet established program goals, productivity standards, and reporting requirements.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to strengthen client services and outcomes.

What You'll Experience

Mission in Action

Every client you support moves one step closer to achieving the dream of affordable homeownership and building long-term financial stability.

Meaningful Relationships

You'll work closely with individuals and families during one of the most important financial journeys of their lives.

Direct Community Impact

Your coaching, education, and guidance will help expand access to safe, affordable housing throughout the Omaha community.

Professional Growth

You'll build expertise in housing counseling, financial education, homeownership readiness, and client development while helping others achieve life-changing goals.

What Success Looks Like

• Clients successfully achieve homeownership readiness goals within established timelines.
• Participants demonstrate improvements in budgeting, savings, credit, and debt management.
• Mortgage readiness barriers are identified and addressed through effective counseling and coaching.
• Client records and documentation remain accurate, complete, and compliant.
• Homebuyer education and counseling services receive positive client feedback.
• Program productivity, reporting, and outcome goals are achieved or exceeded.
• Clients feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout the homeownership process.
• Habitat Omaha continues expanding access to affordable homeownership through strong counseling and education services.

What You Bring

Education & Experience

• Associate's degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• One to three years of experience in housing counseling, mortgage lending, banking, financial coaching, nonprofit services, customer service, or a related field.
• Experience working directly with diverse clients and providing individualized support preferred.
• HUD housing counseling experience is helpful but not required.

Skills & Strengths

Financial Coaching: Ability to guide clients in budgeting, saving, reducing debt, and improving financial health.

Communication: Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Relationship Building: Ability to establish trust and maintain positive working relationships with clients and partners.

Coaching & Motivation: Skilled at helping individuals set goals, overcome barriers, and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Organization: Effective case management, documentation, and time-management abilities.

Problem Solving: Ability to identify challenges and develop practical solutions for clients.

Customer Service: Commitment to delivering a positive, supportive, and client-centered experience.

Adaptability: Comfortable managing multiple priorities while responding to changing client needs.

Mission Focus: Passion for expanding access to affordable homeownership and supporting families in achieving housing stability.

Technology

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related technology platforms.
• Experience using case management systems, databases, or customer relationship management (CRM) software preferred.
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize housing counseling and program management software.

Additional Qualifications

• Bilingual language skills are a plus.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism.
• Demonstrated commitment to equitable and culturally responsive client service.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel within Habitat Omaha's service area as needed.

Schedule & Travel Requirements

• Office-based position.
• Occasional evening or weekend workshops, orientations, or client appointments may be required.
• Occasional local travel throughout Habitat Omaha's service area may be necessary.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule when supporting client and program needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone.
• Ability to move throughout office, workshop, and community settings as needed.
• Ability to occasionally transport program materials, training resources, and supplies.
• Vision and hearing sufficient to effectively perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Why It Matters

For many families, the path to homeownership can feel complex and out of reach. The Home Journey Housing Counselor – Short-Term Services helps simplify that journey by providing personalized guidance, financial education, and practical support that empowers clients to take actionable steps toward purchasing a home.

By helping individuals improve financial readiness, strengthen money management skills, and navigate the homebuying process with confidence, this role contributes directly to Habitat Omaha's mission of expanding affordable homeownership opportunities and building stronger communities. Through coaching, encouragement, and accountability, the counselor helps transform homeownership goals into lasting success and long-term housing stability.

Equal Opportunity Policy

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (Habitat Omaha) actively recruits, employs, trains, and compensates employees regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, Habitat Omaha complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including workplace harassment.

At Habitat Omaha, we have a clear vision to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay, and to do their best work. Our vision is to see a world where everyone has a safe, affordable place to live, and we know our company runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees. Our dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in the work that we do externally in the community, as well as internally with our employment practices.