Milwaukee Department of City Development: Housing Program Specialist

Department of City Development

City of Milwaukee

Employment Opportunity

HOUSING PROGRAM SPECIALIST

(Loan Officer)

The position is a 36-month grant-funded opportunity.

This position is exempt from Civil Service.

The City of Milwaukee administers a variety of programs that promote home ownership, housing improvements and neighborhood revitalization in neighborhoods throughout the city.  The City is seeking a community-oriented loan officer with excellent communication skills to promote, assess, underwrite, process, and close housing loans.  This position will be assigned to the Department of City Development and work in the City’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).  NSP is part of the City’s comprehensive effort to address the foreclosure crisis in Milwaukee.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Counsel applicants (homeowners and landlords) on NSP loan and grant programs and assist them in the application process.
• Review and process applications for loan and grant programs obtaining the necessary verifications for a loan decision.
• Work with clients to resolve title problems, delinquent taxes, or other qualification issues.
• Coordinate the development and acceptance of the rehabilitation plan and cost estimate with the client and Rehabilitation Specialist.
• Prepare and present case for Loan Committee approval.
• Document progress and the status of individual cases.
• Close loans and grants and ensure documents are accurate, complete and in compliance with program guidelines.
• Prepare file for notice of loan approval creation and transfer to administrative staff.
• Promote housing loan programs to private sector lenders and real estate representatives.
• Assist in coordination and execution of outside events and workshops to promote NSP to  potential applicants, clients, and others
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Two years of experience in mortgage and/or community lending or housing counseling.

• A bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis in finance.  Equivalent combinations of education and work experience will be considered.
• Ability to analyze financial information and make sound loan underwriting decisions.
• Ability to counsel homeowners and investor-owners about available loans and grants.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as oral presentation skills.
• Ability to successfully communicate and work with a diverse clientele, representatives of lending institutions, and Department staff.
• Must be able to work in a fast paced environment and meet deadlines, perform well under pressure and work effectively on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with the City’s neighborhoods and their housing needs.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook) and database applications.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish with competency in Spanish composition, grammar and spelling not required, but a plus.
• Possession of valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
• Residency in the City of Milwaukee within six months of appointment and throughout City employment.

THE CURRENT PAY RANGE (546) IS: $1,638.24 – $2,002.87 biweekly, with excellent benefits.  Recruitment is normally at the beginning of this range.  

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following training and experience evaluation; written, oral or performance tests; or other assessment methods.  The Department of City Development reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates for an interview.

Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time without prior notice.  Recruitment may continue, however, until the needs of the City have been met.  Qualified applicants will be notified by mail of the date, time and place of the interview.

APPLICATION MATERIALS and further information may be obtained in person or by mail from the Department of City Development, City of Milwaukee, 809 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI  53202, online at http://www.mkedcd.org/employment.  All Applications are due by May 5, 2010.

Note: Residence in the City of Milwaukee within six months of appointment and throughout employment.