Mortgage Navigator - AmeriCorps Position

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to expand your knowledge of mortgage lending?  Do you have a passion for expanding homeownership opportunities for African American households?  Please visit Indeed for more information.

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Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC) is a well-established non-profit organization with a team oriented work environment.  NFC is celebrating our 32^nd Anniversary as a mortgage lender.  NFC is hiring an AmeriCorps candidate that can serve from our Des Moines or Cedar Rapids location.

Our mission: NFC provides unique lending programs and other services to facilitate designated neighborhood revitalization through partnerships with residents, governments, community based organizations, financial institutions, and the business community.

Summary: This is an AmeriCorps Economic Mobility Corps position and the goal of this posting is to find a candidate interested in mortgage lending and financial counseling that can become certified by the end of service in one or both of these fields. This is a 1-year commitment.

NFC recently received a $1.27M award and is launching Journey to Homeownership with the goal of expanding homeownership opportunities; specifically, for African American households. NFC is seeking a qualified Mortgage Navigator to join our team as we launch new education programs and a down payment program to increase homeownership for low and moderate income and minority homebuyers, with a specific focus on expanding African American homeownership in Polk and Linn Counties. The ideal candidate should have an understanding of these communities combined with an interest in mortgage finance, financial counseling and expanding homeownership opportunities. The ideal candidate will be able to learn through web-based and direct (virtual or in-person) training, self-directed, and customer focused. The Mortgage Navigator will provide direct services to connect NFC clients and community members with the dream of becoming a homebuyer but need to overcome some financial obstacles before they can qualify for an affordable home mortgage.  The direct services will include basic loan qualification guidelines and financial coaching, and making meaningful connections to financial, budget and homeownership counseling providers in Polk and Linn Counties.  The Mortgage Navigator will report to the Executive Director and will be part of the NFC Lending Team that is led by the Vice-President of Lending. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 Specific Job Functions:

• Serve as a navigator to assist clients that have been denied or are not ready to apply for a mortgage loan from “no” to “not now” through financial counseling and partnership with existing community services and partners.
• Meet (virtual and/or in person) with community members to identify barriers to homeownership, and develop an action plan that includes activities and goals for the client to complete and a direct referral to local non-profits for additional services.
• Work in cooperation with nonprofit housing and credit counseling agencies to assist potential home buyers overcome barriers to homeownership.
• Accept referrals from NFC Loan Originators and other nonprofits partnering in the Journey to Homeownership down payment program to assist potential borrowers that need to overcome barriers prior to qualifying for an affordable home mortgage.
• Prepare and give presentations to non-profit housing counseling agencies, Real Estate agents, neighborhood associations, financial institutions and other special interest groups.
• Assist and participate in other projects as assigned by management and consistent with AmeriCorps’ mission.

 Job Requirements:

• Strong customer service skills and the ability to motivate and encourage others to achieve their dream of homeownership.
• An inquisitive nature and the ability to learn new programs and skills through mentorship, trainings and self-directed learning.
• Ability to engage in outreach with the community to assist with the establishment a new program.
• The preferred candidate will have a two or four-year college degree in finance, business, real estate or human services; or similar life and work experiences.
• Strong communication skills – written and speaking.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel. Ability to learn loan origination system.
• Travel (20% or less) will be required to visit both NFC offices, attend appropriate training and/or conference events.

NFC received funding for this program through LISC; an awardee of the CDFI Fund Economic Mobility Corps program.  This is a new initiative to address critical issues like financial and debt management, including saving for homeownership, while also helping to connect low-income families to affordable financial products.  For more information on the program and benefits of AmeriCorps please visit NFC’s website at www.neighborhoodfinance.org/Careers/ . 

 Please send cover letter and resume to:

Executive Director

NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCE CORPORATION

1912 SIXTH AVENUE

DES MOINES, IOWA 50314

Or smurphy@neighborhoodfinance.org

No phone calls please