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JOB SUMMARY
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Under the supervision of a higher classified employee within MSU Extension, serves as Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Specialist, performing the tasks associated with homelessness prevention and housing retention. Develops and coordinates financial literacy efforts in conjunction with the County Treasurer's Office, including education and prevention efforts to increase the level of financial literacy throughout Washtenaw County to prevent mortgage foreclosure and improve home buying skills. Provides direct customer counseling and intervention. Understands and effectively explains mortgage escrows and procedures, property tax billing, collection, and foreclosure processes. Works with customers to identify available resources and to develop payment strategies. Works with lenders, banks, and mortgage companies to arrange work-out agreements, short sales, and other remedies for customer. Represents Michigan State University MSU Extension and works closely with the elected County Treasurer in interactions with the public, individual customers, other County departments, and community agency partners. Receives technical assistance and foreclosure prevention training from County Treasurer¿s Office, Michigan State University, and other appropriate organizations.
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EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
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Essential Duties:
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Outreach: Implement outreach efforts to work with potential customers who are in jeopardy of facing mortgage foreclosure. Educate employees and key staff within Washtenaw County government regarding mortgage foreclosure. Foster agency partnerships, educate key staff of outside agencies about the mortgage foreclosure process; develop a referral network to address the vast variety of customer needs and concerns; model case conference solutions to bring agencies together to meet a customer¿s needs.
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Triage and Referral: Screen and refer customers. Review customer's financial and living circumstances; identify community resources to meet individual needs; advocate for customers with other agencies.
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Direct Services: Work one-on-one with customers. Help customers learn the mortgage foreclosure process; help customers explore possible options and develop sustainable plans, including options to seek appropriate housing and meet family needs if mortgage foreclosure is certain; provide household budgeting assistance and referrals; assist customers with program applications and address accessibility needs; assist customers in completing and submitting eligibility forms and applications with outside agencies as appropriate. Make personal visits as needed.
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Financial Literacy Education and Prevention: Assist in developing educational and outreach materials. In coordination with County Treasurer's Office and MSU Extension, develop, teach, and recruit instructors for financial literacy classes to promote county-wide education and prevention efforts thus increasing the financial skills of the public.
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Fund-Raising/Grant Writing: Work with Community Development and other agencies to seek continued funding.
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Volunteer Recruitment and Training: With the input of others, consider developing a volunteer program to expand the efforts of mortgage foreclosure prevention. Coach other staff to improve skills in recognizing and meeting customer needs; provide a social work perspective.
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Documentation to meet data driven goals: Document customer interaction. Use professional standards of privacy and confidentiality (including HIPAA guidelines) while documenting customer information. Document the scope of the problem and maintain statistics on outcomes of assistance provided and mortgage foreclosure averted.
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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.
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EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS
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Ability to provide direct customer housing counseling
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Ability to recognize need for and to make effective referrals for mental health services
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Knowledge of community resources (and eligibility requirements) available to assist with customers' financial, social, legal, housing, and medical needs
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Math and financial skills sufficient to assist customers in developing budgets and payment plans
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Valid driver license, with good driving record
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Computer applications related to the work (e.g. Word processing, Excel, Microsoft Office, specialized tax and document search software, GIS and mapping)
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Skilled in:
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Providing attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency.
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Working in a team environment
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Setting priorities, coordinating multiple projects, and meeting critical deadlines.
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Using sound, independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
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Operating standard office equipment, including but not limited to, personal computer, fax machine, photocopier, and calculator.
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Performing effectively under stress; attaining precise set limits, tolerances and standards.
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Communication effectively with the public and local officials over the phone and in person
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Preparing clear and concise written correspondence.
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Exercising good judgment in handling confidential customer information.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and vision to read printed materials and a VDT screen.
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Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the telephone
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Sufficient mobility to visit delinquent properties and customers throughout the county
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These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
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EDUCATION
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Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in social work, social sciences, business, education or related discipline.
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EXPERIENCE
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Level I-Grade 19: A minimum of four (4) years of experience performing direct customer housing counseling, education, and/or advocacy. Six -month break-in period. May advance to Level II after a minimum of two years in Level I with more than satisfactory job performance and demonstrated proficiency in position.
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Level II-Grade 21: A minimum of four (4) years of experience performing direct customer housing counseling, education, and/or advocacy. A minimum of two years in Level I position with more than satisfactory job performance and demonstrated proficiency.
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Level III-Grade 23: A minimum of four (4) years of experience performing direct customer housing counseling, education, and/or advocacy. May advance to Level III after meeting additional proficiencies and with elected official or department head approval.
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CONFLICT OF INTEREST STANDARD
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An applicant cannot be considered for this position whose current employment, or the employment of immediate family members, conflicts with the ethical considerations of this position (e.g. mortgage broker, real estate agent, or mortgage "rescue" work).
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This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.
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FILING DEADLINE: 6/24/08
CONTROL NUMBER: 0806-710-1973-0002
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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