Job Opportunities

Housing Counselor

Background: The Housing Counselor provides comprehensive group and individual counseling services to prospective homebuyers and existing homeowners. The Counseling sessions may cover a broad array of areas related to the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to rehabilitate and/or build financial confidence, buy a home or maintain a home. The Housing Counselor’s main responsibility is to assess those obstacles faced by the clients in pursuit of his or her goal(s), and to develop a corrective action plan or “roadmap to success”. The counselor’s ultimate role is to utilize tools related to budgeting, debt reduction, credit re-building, and consumer awareness to facilitate the customer’s progress towards the goal. The position requires the ability and capacity to effectively explain, describe and market HomeOwnership awareness/programs to a wide range of individuals, organizations and businesses; utilizing marketing materials, local media sources and coordinating appearances at area functions and events. The Housing Counselor markets all lending, education and development projects available to existing and potential first time homebuyers.

Responsibilities:

Conducts comprehensive group and individual counseling sessions.
Assesses mortgage-readiness status, triaging customers, identifying obstacles, developing corrective-action plans, assigning customer tasks, and facilitating customer progress toward his or her ultimate goal.
Maintains schedule of appointments for counseling sessions and effective and efficient system for customer follow-up.
Adheres to all guidelines related to confidentiality.
Maintains and updates customer records after each counseling session in CounselorMax and/or other pertinent customer-tracking systems.
Creates a hard-copy file for each counseling customer that includes the intake form, credit report, counselor analysis and corrective action plan.
Organizes counseling workshops and/or homebuyers’ education sessions.
Assist with the development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing/outreach plan for recruiting customers and investing partners for the counseling program.
Responsible for the organization and development of NeighborWorks Week events
Assist with HomeOwnership Center special projects as assigned and other tasks deemed necessary to achieve overall goals and operate a successful counseling program.
Recommends improvements in products and procedures as necessary to ensure the optimum efficiency and effectiveness of the service delivery systems.
Provides foreclosure prevention and intervention services.
Provides counseling and technical assistance throughout the purchase process
Performs all other duties deemed necessary

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

HUD Certified Counselor a plus
Ability to perform duties in a confidential manner.
Detail oriented with ability to organize complex material in clear and concise manner.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
Demonstrated ability to work with others in establishing goals and objectives.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Demonstrated skill in organizing time and prioritizing workload.
Good working knowledge of the components of a housing/financial counseling program.
Good working knowledge of the home buying process.
Knowledge of lending products and various homeowner assistance programs.
Ability to participate in national NeighborWorks America trainings annually in order to obtain the necessary certifications required for position. Upon completion of certifications, traveling requirements will decrease
Ability to speak multiple languages preferred

Working Condition

Standing and walking less than 20%
Normal Office Environment.
Some evenings and weekends required.
Travel required for training seminars both locally and nationally.

Send your resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications via email to contact@westelmwood.org, Please include “Housing Counselor” in the e-mail subject line.

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind. WEHDC is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic

02907 HEZ Community Health Worker

POSITION SUMMARY:

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) serves as the backbone agency of the 02907 Health Equity Zone (HEZ). A Health Equity Zone (HEZ) is an innovative, place-based approach that brings people together to build healthy, resilient communities across Rhode Island.

The 02907 community has seen a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 cases as compared to other parts of Providence and across the state of Rhode Island.

The 02907 HEZ is seeking temporary Community Health Workers to begin immediately. The Community Health Worker will work with the 02907 Health Equity Zone to provide culturally appropriate support to 02907 residents related to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and service delivery. Based upon the status of the COVID-19 pandemic as of the Fall, the need to continue this program will be reevaluated

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

The CHW will report to the Resident Health Specialist.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Establish relationships with trusted community leaders to identify and document cultural and structural barriers that interfere with accessing testing and adhering to response guidance.
Assess the barriers that exist for those who need to seek COVID-19 testing and provide language, transportation, and/or employment support.
Assess the needs of residents in isolation and provide community-based referrals to the necessary supports.
Collect and relay essential needs information to the 02907 HEZ and state agencies to ensure supports are being addressed in real time.
Relay vital COVID-19 information to residents through multiple channels and address frequently asked questions related to testing, contact tracing, and/or isolation.
Identify community driven solutions to testing and contract tracing barriers.
Act as the liaison between residents, the 02907 HEZ, and the contact-tracing team at Rhode Island Department of Health.
Gain insights about needed resources and changes required to improve COVID-19 response in the 02907 community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Community Health Worker in the state of Rhode Island, or actively working to become certified preferred.
Extensive networks within the 02907 community and relationships with 02907 community leaders.
High level of interpersonal skills and excellent writing and oral communication skills to collect data and engage residents.
Experience working with diverse populations.
Fluency (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and at least one other language commonly spoken by residents of the 02907 zip code.
Resident of the 02907 zip code (Providence’s West End, Elmwood, Reservoir Triangle, or South Providence neighborhoods) preferred.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Comfort working with diverse communities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to satisfactorily perform essential duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Familiarity with the assets, needs, challenges, opportunities present in the 02907 zip code.
Knowledge of the direct service organizations in Providence.
Ability to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and partners.
Ability to maintain sensitivity to individual, system, and cultural dynamics that affect behavior and relationships
Ability to build and sustain trust and rapport with community members based on listening and respect.

This is a part time position and will require evening and weekend work. Continued work will be contingent on available funding and initiative priorities.

To apply, please send your resume and a brief cover letter via e-mail to Dominique Resendes at dresendes@westelmwood.org.

Community Outreach Specialist

Are you passionate about affordable housing access and community development? Join the West Elmwood team as the Community Outreach Specialist and you’ll gain valuable skills, exposure to leaders in the field, and experience that will strengthen your resume. Affordable housing experience not required, only a willingness to learn and a passion to serve others! Apply today!

This position is part of the Accessing Home AmeriCorps program. Accessing Home AmeriCorps members serve to alleviate the economic challenges faced by low- and middle-income households by delivering housing stabilization services at non-profits and municipal organizations across Rhode Island.

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) is a community development corporation that works to promote the development of healthy, sustainable communities through housing services to help individuals/neighborhoods meet their affordable housing needs. We work with partners/residents to build houses, communities and lives by investing in real estate and infrastructure in the West End of Providence and RI since 1970. The Community Outreach Specialist (COS) will connect tenants to WEHDC programs and external assistance as needed and will facilitate a dialogue between residents, Property Management, and WEHDC. The COS will also ensure that WEHDC tenants are actively involved in the 02907 Health Equity Zone, a Collaboration of 02907 Stakeholders led by WEHDC that address 4 social determinants that contribute to overall health outcomes: education, food systems, environmental conditions, and housing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Orient new residents to the WEHDC properties and programs and serve as a referral source and liaison as needed:
Refer tenants to WEHDC programs and services as well as external rent/utility assistance, case management services, legal services, and other resources needed

o Track these referrals in WEHDC’s client management system.

Assist residents in understanding requirements for tenancy made by Property Managers, including on time rental Facilitate discussions between residents and Property Management as needed.
Develop an avenue for dialogue between WEHDC tenants, WEHDC staff and Property Management
Collaborate with the 02907 Health Equity Zone to engage WEHDC tenants and community residents in developing solutions to address the 02907 HEZ pillars: housing, food systems, education, and environment
Coordinate community events, such as resource fairs, to generate positive rapport between the property owner and Make residents aware of available community resources and programming.
Attend Accessing Home Orientation, bi-weekly Accessing Home Professional Development Training and debriefs (not to exceed 20 percent of total hours served).
Provide services to at least 85 households
Recruit at least 6 volunteers to support community
Attend Rhode Island AmeriCorps statewide events &
Submit bi-weekly time sheets, service logs, and reports to Accessing
Become certified Resident Services

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

Attend community meetings including Neighborhood Association Meetings and City Council Ward Meetings.
Produce community resource documents to promote community
Organize and facilitate resident meetings.
Problem solve with residents.
Provide professional communication and leadership in a variety of meeting/presentation settings that support open, honest communication and inclusion of
If bilingual, assist in translating announcements and resources into
Educate staff and property management team about the needs of and services available for

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong computer skill, familiar with Microsoft Office, and willingness to learn
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively orally and in
Desire to provide service to the community, highly motivated, well organized, self-starter and team
Proficient in Spanish.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Occasionally available on weeknights and weekends
Be a US Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident
Be at least 18 years of age
Have a high school diploma or equivalency
Have served in AmeriCorps no more than three times (the lifetime maximum is four terms of service as an AmeriCorps member)
Has not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and is willing to undergo an National Service Criminal History Check
Be committed to the Accessing Home program’s ethic of service and personal and professional development of its participants
Have the ability and enthusiasm to drive to, attend, and participate in all required trainings and events across Rhode Island
Committed to completing an entire service term; members must serve from September 1, 2020 to August 27, 2021 and complete 1700 hours
Available to regularly serve 35 hours per week

BENEFITS:

Living Allowance of $557.69 pre-taxes/bi-weekly
Education Award of $ 6,095.00
Loan interest accrual payments, if eligible
Health Coverage (excludes dependents)
Childcare assistance, if eligible
Training, Professional certification as a Resident Services Coordinator

TO APPLY:

Submit your application via our online form. In addition to your application, please submit your resume

to jwelch@nwbrv.org. Applications are due August 1, 2020. To request a special accommodation please contact Joyce Welch at jwelch@nwbrv.org.

Office Manager

Full Time Exempt Position

Reports to: Executive Director

RESPONSIBILITES:

The Office Manager (OM) will organize, coordinate office administration and procedures to ensure organizational, effectiveness and efficiency. This role is also responsible for performing HR-related duties and supporting the Executive Director. The Office Manager is responsible for customer service to the public and other stakeholders, thus ensuring discretion and confidentiality consistent with policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Work with project leads to assist with data collection and reporting requirements
Update health and safety policies and the postings of labor requirements as needed to ensure compliance
Monitor and restock office supplies, replenish postage meter and process online purchasing as needed
Maintain inventory of all office equipment
Oversee mail and e-statement distribution, ensure accurate invoice processing for finance. Record all checks, and forward to finance for bank deposits preparation
Responsible for employee on-boarding. Maintain positive employee relations, support performance management with supervisors. Oversee employee recruitment/employment and employment compliance
Monitor security measures including management of all keys and alarm system
Assist with the reconciliation of fees and receipts for services rendered. Ensure accurate invoice processing and check preparation for finance.
Assist in the development, updating and implementation of agency policies and procedures including operations manual and employee handbook.
Update and maintain agency calendar and tickler file
Coordinate and prepare for Board meetings, which may include event preparation and planning. Prepare meeting notices and record meeting minutes
Coordinate travel for staff as required
Assist Executive Director with scheduling meetings
Update and maintain filing systems (paper and electronic) to ensure that these systems are up to date. Oversee transfer and disposal of records per retention schedules and policies.
Other duties as required

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience

Experience with nonprofit financial structures required
A minimum of 3 years’ experience in financial leadership position
Advanced computer skills on MS Office & accounting software Peachtree & QuickBooks
Proven knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting principles, practices, standard, laws and regulations
BS in Accounting or Finance highly desirable
Must pass background check (BCI)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Experience with Microsoft Office required
Interpersonal skills necessary to provide direction and training
The ability to meet deadlines and pay attention to detail.
The ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently and work independently
The ability to analyze and make decisions and/or recommendations.
Interpersonal skills necessary to interact with representatives from diverse races, religion and cultural backgrounds.
Minimum two years’ office administration or managerial experience.
High school diploma/GED required. Some college education preferred.
Non-profit experience preferred.
Transportation and insurance required

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Normal Office Environment
Some evenings and weekends required
Local travel is typical

TO APPLY
Send your resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications via email to contact@westelmwood.org no later than 5:00pm on May 8th. Please include “Office Manager” in the email subject line.

HEZ Engagement Specialist