Founded in 2013, The Waterfront Project, Inc. (WFP), is a legal help center and HUD-approved counseling agency. WFP provides free civil legal representation, rental housing counseling, and financial counseling to Hudson County residents who are asset-limited, income-constrained, homeless or otherwise disenfranchised.
Currently, WFP’s primary focus is pursuing creative strategies to allow low- and moderate-income people to stay in their homes and communities, especially in neighborhoods experiencing rapid development and gentrification.
WFP is establishing a Foreclosure Prevention Project. Hudson County residents are experiencing an unprecedented loss of income due to the COVID-19 health crisis, impeding their ability to keep current with their mortgage. While a temporary statewide moratorium on foreclosures has relieved homeowners from the immediate threat of foreclosure, WFP anticipates a surge in homeowners who will need assistance to keep their homes when the moratorium is lifted.
For more information, please visit www.thewaterfrontproject.org.
The Foreclosure Prevention Counselor will also be expected to engage in activities including but not limited to:
- Counsel clients, including reviewing financial documents to determine eligibility for mortgage modification and other steps needed to prevent foreclosure.
- Communicate with third parties including servicers, lenders and the client to ensure the required documents and information have been provided and reviewed in a timely manner.
- If foreclosure cannot be avoided, help the client explore all options, including deed in lieu, short sale, and relocation options.
- Create a client case profile utilizing WFP’s case management system, Launchpad, for all applicants. Enter client information and case notes and updates contemporaneously.
- Responsible for client files. Files must be maintained as required per HUD guidelines including entries in
- Launchpad, organizing and storing paper files to be retained and shredding files that do not need to be retained.
- Prepare reports as needed in compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements.
- Assist WFP in promoting foreclosure prevention counseling services by planning and executing foreclosure prevention workshops in partnership with community leaders and other nonprofits.
- Stay up to date with industry standards and increase professional and computer skills through continuing education annually.
- Bachelor’s Degree and two years of experience in housing counseling budget/credit counseling, real estate, locan processing, or underwriting. In lieu of a Bachelor's Degree, four years of housing counseling may be substituted.
- HUD Certification and at least 6 months of experience housing counseling highly preferred.
- Candidates who do not have the HUD Certification, must be willing to prepare for and pass the mandatory HUD certification examination within 3 months of employment. WFP will pay for test preparation materials and classes.
- Knowledge of mortgage lending industry, community resources, service delivery networks and affordable housing programs and services.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred but not required.
- Ability and desire to work on behalf of families and individuals of low-to-moderate income levels, in a multicultural, community-based, non-profit organizational setting.
- Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
- Ability to deal calmly with clients who may be in distress and potentially highly emotional due to their current situation.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills. Ability to listen and communicate in a clear and logical and persuasive manner.
- Mathematical skills with mathematical aptitude sufficient to produce error-free loan modification documentation and complete and accurate client files.
- Familiarity with Launchpad client management software and Google Organization & Productivity Tools(Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar) and/or ability to learn new technologies.
- Ability to work with underrepresented communities, including but not limited to people living with physical or mental health disabilities and clients of diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
- Access to reliable transportation.
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), with work occurring during normal business hours, though some workshops may occur during nights and weekends. WFP offers a competitive nonprofit salary and public interest benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental insurance, paid time off, paid sick leave, retirement plan with employer contribution, and professional development opportunities.
Please email a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Given WFP has an immediate opening, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application at their earliest convenience. No calls, please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
WFP is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. WFP does not discriminate against applicant on the basis of race, creed, nationality, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical cellular or blood trait, military status or any other category protected bu federal, state or other law applicable in the location of employment.