Homeownership Support Specialist: Education

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 

Key Responsibility: Curriculum development and delivery (80%) 

The Homeownership Programs Specialist develops thoughtful, well-designed, and relevant educational curriculum and opportunities for homebuyers/owners.   

Affordable Homeownership Program (45%) 

Through our Affordable Homeownership Program, we provide qualifying households an alternative to traditional bank financing by offering the opportunity to purchase a home with an affordable mortgage. As a part of the program, participants take a series of homeowner preparation/education courses and work alongside volunteers to help build their homes. Under direction of the Homeownership Programs Manager, the Specialist leads the following efforts:    

• Identify and research key content/learning areas necessary for successful transition from renter to homeowner (for both single-family and townhome purchases) 
• Refine and implement a comprehensive homeownership preparation (pre-sale) and success (post-sale) curriculum, incorporating diverse delivery options as necessary for effectiveness 
• Collaborate with broader team to schedule annual course calendar to ensure program transparency/visibility, and to accommodate homebuyer timelines based on program entry and construction completion dates  
• Identify content experts to assist in the delivery of classes where necessary 
• Implement current and creatively design new programming strategies (online, on-demand, community-based, varied content, etc.) to increase engagement and success, as well as replication and sustainability  
• Track and manage relevant data to identify trends and assist in future program evolution; and conduct regular program evaluation to ensure effectiveness, providing regular reports and updates to leadership 
• Monitor program to ensure budget compliance and best use of resources 
• Work together with the Homeownership Team to support buyers and owners toward long-term success as information surfaces in buyer build-ups and loan servicing  
• Prioritize relationship and safeguard the privacy and comfort of program applicants and participants in any sharing of information   
• Stay updated on all laws and regulations and consistently assess program operations to ensure they are within the scope of those laws  

Homebuyer University (35%) 

Homebuyer University is a public program that prepares students with the knowledge, tools and resources to be able to successfully purchase a home. The course consists of a series of 2.5- hour classes, offered over consecutive weeks. At the end of the classes, students have the information needed to pursue homeownership, whether with Habitat Chicago or through conventional bank financing. Under the direction of the Homeownership Programs Manager, the Specialist leads the following efforts:  

• Design a thoughtful, strategic program calendar that considers and aligns with the overall organizational annual calendar and scope of growth/scaling 
• Refine (toward a somewhat static product) and implement a quality, comprehensive, and sequential homebuyer curriculum that invites participants to examine current readiness and best prepare for homeownership 
• Identify/develop all course materials for use by instructors and students, updating them for relevance  
• Recruit, train, and manage all course instructors and other volunteers, ensuring consistency in communication of expectations and integrity of delivery of program curriculum  
• Identify and collect relevant data and conduct regular program evaluation to ensure effectiveness and impact and provide regular reports to supervisors and directors 
• Explore/Identify and pursue partnership opportunities for hosted homebuyer education programs 
• Monitor program to ensure budget compliance and best use of resources 

Key Responsibility: Leadership and Teamwork (20%) 

As a programs team member, the Homeownership Programs Specialist contributes to our organizational health through enthusiastic collaboration, leadership, and personal integrity: 

• Participate on project teams where personal expertise or experience is an asset in driving the project forward  
• Actively participate in neighborhood engagement opportunities, strategically expanding the reach and relationships of Habitat Chicago through tabling, community meeting attendance, and one-on-ones with community members as relevant 
• Upholding the values of the organization, maintain a “team first” outlook, demanding excellence of fellow team members and modeling proactive, creative, and positive contribution to the mission and culture of the affiliate in attitude, ideas, and actions 
• Champion program excellence, brand integrity, and record-keeping accuracy and hold fellow team members accountable to the same 
• Contribute enthusiastically to the larger Habitat Chicago mission, assisting and supporting all administrative, operational, development, and program activities/events as necessary 
• Represent the mission professionally with all members of the team as well as with external stakeholders 

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties nor required skills. Employees may occasionally perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities to meet the needs of the organization. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities 

• Advanced communication skills, including strong written, oral and presentation skills, for varied situations (public speaking, presenting, coaching, listening, facilitating) 
• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills, including ease and skill in conveying a nonprofit’s mission to a wide variety of constituents 
• Well-developed cultural competency and understanding of circumstances impacted by income 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate curriculum utilizing adult education/learning principles  
• Demonstrated organization and attention to detail with strong project management, program development, goal management, and record-keeping skills 
• General understanding of the affordable housing industry and barriers to access  
• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the technology tools including Salesforce Customer Relationship Management System and associated applications; Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; project management systems  
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact  
• Strong interest in the mission and vision of Habitat Chicago 
• Current authorization to work permanently in the United States  
• Ability to travel as needed within the region and attend evening and weekend events 

Education and Experience 

• Minimum of five years of work experience in a professional setting; program development, teaching, counseling, or curriculum facilitation experience preferred 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

POSITION DETAILS: 

Reports to: Homeownership Programs Manager 

Hours: Full-time; 8am-4pm plus evening and weekends meetings as required. This position follows a hybrid work model, requiring 24 hours per week in our downtown office while allowing remote work flexibility on other days. 

Environment: The Habitat Chicago office is located at 111 W Jackson. It is accessible by car or by public transit. The Homeownership Programs Specialist will have a desk, computer, and phone line in an open office environment.  

Conditions: Ability to lift 25 pounds, ability to work at a computer for long periods of time. 

Compensation: Salaried; $50,000 - $55,000, depending on experience. 30+ vacation/sick/personal days per year. 90% employer paid health insurance; access to dental, vision, life and 401k plans. 

FLSA Status: This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked. 

Training: The position will begin with an onboarding period to become familiar with the organization’s work and policies; they will be trained on the specifics of the role through a combination of in-person, online and written trainings and will be expected to take the initiative to review materials as needed and seek understanding of new developments in order to perform their responsibilities.