Housing Counselor

LEVEL 2 HOUSING COUNSELOR. There are 2 openings: RAPID REHOUSING and PREVENTION Housing Counselor Under the direct supervision of the Housing Coordinator, the Level 2 Housing Counselor is responsible for the provision of housing counseling and case management including financial assistance for low-income people, who are at-risk of homelessness or already homeless, serving Radford city, Pulaski, Floyd, Giles and Montgomery county.

Office location is Radford. Assists with housing search and placement along with leveraging supportive services that will assist the participant household to maintain permanent housing.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develops a housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with clients.
2. Provides case management and housing counseling following the developed plan, including financial assistance to applicants with the approved case management and housing counseling procedures.
3. Assists in the development of and encourages adherence to a personal budget through the pro-active housing and budget counseling sessions; provides budget counseling and education to clients.
4. Creates and maintains consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between all involved parties (i.e., tenant, landlord, referral source, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors).
5. Provides information and referral assistance regarding available support from appropriate social service agencies and community programs.
6. Provides all services and documentation as required by funding source and agency. Maintains neat, accurate, complete case files on each applicant.
7. Tracks financial assistance to clients and monitors spending for grant compliance.
8. Conducts home visits as required by the grant and provide pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency.
9. Facilitate HUD workshops and other HUD approved group education classes.
10. Transports clients as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and the occasional visit to relevant social service agencies. Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Must:

• Maintain regular attendance
• Be capable of exercising good judgment in dealing with consumers.
• Possess general knowledge of the social and economic needs of our consumers.
• Possess the capacity to problem solve, handle crises, and work with families and children of various cultures from low-income backgrounds.
• Have an approach to working with families that is empathic, nonjudgmental, respectful, and professional.
• Possess strong organizational skills with the ability to meet a demanding workload.
• Possess a demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords. Must be able to become certified as required by funding sources and participate in training required for Housing Counselor certification (training sessions held out of the area). Must be able to become certified in Rental and Homeless Counseling within 90 days of hire. Must be willing and able to become a member of the related professional associations and attend meetings. Driving is an essential function of the job. Must possess valid driver's license and safe driving record. If an agency vehicle is unavailable, must have a vehicle with valid inspection and insurance meeting minimum state requirements available for transporting individuals and families within the New River Valley, and in pre-approved cases outside the New River Valley. Mileage reimbursed by NRCA. Before employment, the applicant must sign authorizations for NRCA to perform DMV and Criminal Record Checks. Pre-employment drug testing, and employment physical are also required.

Education and Experience

An Associates degree in Human Services or a related field plus one year of related experience. Application Deadline: September 30, 2026, or until the position is filled. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. EEO/AA