FSS Counselor - Tampa Housing Authority

Job Title: FSS Counselor

Department: Assisted Housing

Reports To: Supervisor, Assisted Housing

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Overview:

Plan, implement, direct, and evaluate the Family Self-Sufficiency Program in accordance with HUD and THA regulations and guidelines. Exercise sounds judgement in recruiting, interviewing, and screening prospective program participants. Develop measurable action plans; and provide counseling and guidance for Section 8 clients to assist in reaching self-sufficiency goals.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

• Administer an efficient intake process to include interviewing prospective participants to determine eligibility based on guidelines; and completing applications, program, and HUD forms accurately.
• Assess service needs of program participants, and through goal setting, referrals and monitoring; assist participants in accessing appropriate public or private community agencies to obtain specialized types of assistance in the areas of health care, childcare, chemical dependency, mental health, legal issues, domestic violence, budgeting, food insecurity, utilities assistance, and transportation, etc.
• Participate in ongoing financial literacy, family-centered coaching, housing, and other FSS related education to enhance knowledge and skills related to successful case management and financial coaching. Research and develop ongoing community resources relevant to low-income people working on economic goals.
• Maintain all case files following confidentiality guidelines.
• Review case records and meet with participants regularly to update and monitor client needs, assess progress toward achieving goals, and make referrals as necessary.
• Monitor and balance participant escrow savings accounts.
• Ensure compliance of participant annual re-certification, process interim withdrawal requests, adjustments, terminations and graduations according to HUD guidelines and program policies.
• Maintain data regarding FSS services and accomplishments and prepare reports summarizing these service data for use by THA, HUD, and the community of providers assisting with the delivery of services.
• Recruit participants and market the FSS program through various avenues such as oral presentations and written marketing materials.
• Assist with the development and implementation of FSS curriculum, programming, activities, networking and graduation events, etc.

Required Qualifications:

Education level:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Sociology, or related field

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience in social work, housing, or related field.

Specific skills:

• Exceptional understanding of personal finances in the areas of budget, asset attainment and credit building.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and verbal communication
• Proficiency using email communication and internet-based technology.
• Knowledge of Yardi, File Vision preferred.

Personal characteristics:

• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Treats a variety of people with respect and compassion.

Physical abilities:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. 
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. 
• Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships to see objects where and as they actually are. 
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer

Certifications:

• Requires Level II Background Clearance

Licenses:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License
• Insurable under the agency’s insurance policy

This job description should not be interpreted to be all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job classification. All incumbents may not perform all of the job duties listed; some incumbents may perform some duties which are not listed; and incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description.