Employment at HCS

Consider Joining Our Team

(Below are our current open positions.)

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

2024

HCS is a non-profit agency founded in 1972 to provide training, counseling and technical assistance to homebuyers, homeowners, tenants and the homeless. HCS works to build the capacity of individuals and groups to preserve their homes, seek their highest level of housing independence and support the economic and social development of their neighborhoods.

HCS Employment Benefit Summary

As of November 2023

Housing Counseling Services, Inc., (HCS) offers the following benefits to employees. Compensation consists of both salary and fringe benefits that currently include:

• Sick and Annual Leave which both initially accrue at 4.5 hours per pay period (annual leave accrual increases after some time at HCS)
• Birthday Holiday (taken on the day of your birthday OR must be used within 30 days of your birthday)
• 4% (of salary) contribution to a 403(b) tax deferred annuity after 6 months of service
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Policies with UNUM (no cost to the employee)
• Flex-hours that must be pre-approved by your supervisor and meet the needs of our clients
• Paid Holidays (following DC government holiday schedule)
• Compensatory Time for professional staff that work excess hours during any pay period (must be approved by your immediate supervisor)
• HCS offers and makes contributions towards employee health and dental.  Employee’s may include eligible family members on these plans, but will be responsible to cover the full cost of these family member’s insurance coverages. Vision is paid 100% by the employee.
• HCS CONTRIBUTION FOR HEALTH INSURANCE: HCS has Reference Health Plan – CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield – Blue Choice HMO HDHP Silver $1,900 that is the basis for the HCS contribution towards health insurance coverage for each employee. HCS will pay 100% of the employee coverage for this Reference Plan and this same dollar amount may be applied to any of the 60+ BCBS health plans you may select on the DC Health Exchange. As the cost of coverage is different for every employee (as it is based on age), attached for your information is the age grid sheet with the amounts. You may select individual coverage as well as coverage for your eligible family members. The HCS contribution remains the same whether you select individual or family coverage. HCS cannot contribute to the cost of employee health insurance that is not part of the HCS account through the DC Health Exchange.
• HCS CONTRIBUTION FOR DENTAL AND VISIONS: HCS offers dental and vision coverage through BCBS, HCS will contribute 100% of employee coverage for the BCBS dental plan only. If you waive the dental coverage, this dollar amount can also be applied to your portion of your health insurance coverage. If you choose not to use our health insurance, you may apply the full amount of the HCS health insurance contribution towards family coverage for the dental plan only. Staff who elect to waive the BCBS Dental Plan and/or Vision Plans must complete a BCBS Waiver of Enrollment form.

BCBS Dental & Vision Rates

Additional details on each of these benefits will be described on the new hires first day of employment at HCS. While these fringe benefits are subject to change based upon the budget of HCS, they have remained equivalent or have become more generous over the last fifteen years.

HCS does not have a formal staff training program and instead expects new hires to be able to self-learn issues of importance for our positions and all our programs at HCS. 

POSITION: FORECLOSURE PREVENTION COUNSELOR / TRAINER (Salary Range: $52,000 – $70,000)

If you are looking for a challenging but yet gratifying opportunity to make a real difference on the front lines of home preservation, consider a career in Foreclosure Prevention. We are seeking a highly qualified Housing Counselor to engage homeowners at risk of foreclosure throughout the DC Metro area. Our counselors regularly work with homeowners, lenders, municipalities as well as the courts to prevent foreclosure on a daily basis. If you are highly motivated and want to be challenged, please apply.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Provide counseling to homeowners on all housing issues in order to resolve problems and improve housing opportunities.
• Evaluate homeowners’ eligibility for loss mitigation options and other alternatives to avert foreclosure.
• Prepare mortgage relief applications with clients and follow-up with lenders to confirm completion.
• Negotiate workout agreements with lenders on behalf of clients.
• Work with the courts, attorneys, lenders and associations to assist homeowners in preventing foreclosure.
• Attend foreclosure hearings and mediations to support client needs.
• Follow-up with all clients to be assured that their needs are being met.
• Maintain accurate written and computer-based files.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with a variety of people including lenders, realtors, and low- and moderate-income families from a variety of cultures.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision and as a team player exercising mature judgement.
• Highly motivated self-starter with an ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Must have excellent problem-solving skills and be able to develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to translate technical information into layman’s terms.
• Compassionate listener and firm educator.
• Must be versatile in order to handle a wide variety of duties.
• Sensitivity to the needs within the community and to individual clients.
• Must maintain and execute confidential information.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Bi-lingual individuals are encouraged to apply.
• The selected candidate must become HUD certified within 30 days of employment.

HCS is an equal opportunity employer and affirmatively seeks diversity in its workforce. HCS recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital or family status, sex, age, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.

Resumes and cover letters should be sent to employment@housingetc.org. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

Click HERE to download the EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT SUMMARY.

Click HERE to download the REFERENCE PLAN RATE CHART.

POSITION: CASE MANAGER (Salary Range: $65,000 – $80,000)

HCS is a non-profit agency founded in 1972 to provide training, counseling and technical assistance to homebuyers, homeowners, tenants and the homeless. HCS works to build the capacity of individuals and groups to preserve their homes, seek their highest level of housing independence and support the economic and social development of their neighborhoods. Housing Counseling Services, Inc. seeks an energetic self-starter to conduct case management activities and provide support services to households receiving housing and/or financial services from Housing Counseling Services.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Provides comprehensive housing case management to low-income households identified as homeless or at risk for homelessness towards stabilizing their housing circumstances.
• Complete comprehensive assessments and develop housing plans to identify barriers to housing and specific housing tasks.
• Assist households rapidly respond to housing instability through identifying viable permanent and temporary housing options.
• Connect households to services to support long term self-sufficiency as well as advocate on their behalf with landlords, social service agencies, and other service providers.
• Conduct follow-up with households to ensure their housing situation remains stable.
• Maintain accurate written and computer-based client files.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree with specialized professional experience in case management/social work;
• Strong ability to work independently and as a team player exercising mature judgment;
• Highly motivated self-starter with an ability to complete multiple tasks in timely manner;
• Must have excellent problem solving skills and able to develop innovate solutions;
• Experience providing supportive services to at-risk populations;
• Ability to respond to multiple emergency needs with patience and diligence;
• Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with a variety of professionals including bankers, realtors, contractors, landlords;
• Must maintain and execute confidential information;
• Strong oral and written communication skills as well as excellent computer skills;
• Ability to translate technical information into layman’s terms;
• Sensitivity to the needs within the community and to individual clients;
• Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply (not required).

HCS is an equal opportunity employer and affirmatively seeks diversity in its workforce. HCS recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital or family status, sex, age, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.

Resumes and cover letters should be sent to employment@housingetc.org. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

Click HERE to download the EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT SUMMARY.

Click HERE to download the REFERENCE PLAN RATE CHART.

POSITION: ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST (Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000)

HCS is a non-profit agency founded in 1972 to provide training, counseling and technical assistance to homebuyers, homeowners, tenants and the homeless. HCS works to build the capacity of individuals and groups to preserve their homes, seek their highest level of housing independence and support the economic and social development of their neighborhoods. Housing Counseling Services, Inc. seeks an energetic self-starter to conduct eligibility determination activities and provide support and referral services to households seeking housing services in the D.C. Metropolitan region.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Complete applications and eligibility determinations for consumers and/or households applying to HCS for financial and/or housing assistance;
• Apply federal, state, and local regulation towards determining eligibility for housing and support services programs;
• Determine household’s eligibility for programs based on established program regulations and policies;
• Communicate with applicants/program participants regarding the status of their application via written and oral communication;
• Assist applicants develop housing plans towards preventing future housing emergencies/financial crises;
• Advocate on the behalf of households with landlords, social service agencies, etc.;
• Respond to emergency needs of clients along in collaboration with program social worker and case manager;
• Refer households to appropriate services to address their various needs such as food, utility assistance, clothing, medical care, etc.;
• Conduct outreach to educate residents, community, organizations, and stakeholders about HCS programs and services;
• Maintain accurate written and computer based files;
• Provide accurate and complete monthly reports;
• Perform other HCS tasks as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. At least four years of specialized professional experience and/or education related to eligibility determination, case management, housing education/counseling, or other related fields;
• Spanish speaker is a plus;
• Ability to understand, interpret, and explain federal, local, and state laws and regulations.
• Experience working with special needs populations;
• Ability to work in a faced paced environment;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to respond to multiple emergency needs with patience and diligence;
• Must demonstrate the ability to communicate with variety of professionals including case managers, real estate, medical, and attorneys as well as with low and moderate income families from a variety of cultures;
• Ability to translate technical information into layman’s terms;
• Must demonstrate an ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Must be versatile in order to handle a wide variety of duties;
• Sensitive to the needs within the community and to individual clients;
• Knowledge of housing law or capacity to learn;
• Strong computer skills.

HCS is an equal opportunity employer and affirmatively seeks diversity in its workforce. HCS recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital or family status, sex, age, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.

Resumes and cover letters should be sent to employment@housingetc.org. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

Click HERE to download the EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT SUMMARY.

Click HERE to download the REFERENCE PLAN RATE CHART.