Home Closing Specialist

Closing Specialist - Job Description

Position                         Home Closing Specialist

Department                  Homeowner Services

Reports to                     Homeownership Success Manager

Category                       Full Time, Hourly, Permanent

Salary                            $25 per hour

The Closing Specialist position is a key role in successfully guiding homebuyers through the Homeownership program at Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity (T/PC HFH). The Closing Specialist seeks to connect with and execute homebuyer compliance expectations as well as document processing with internal/external community partners (lenders, DPA program employees, employers and community leaders), to assure on-time closings of homes sold by Habitat for Humanity and increase homeownership applications. The qualifying Closing Specialist is required to have a strong technical background with an emphasis in document processing, data entry and virtual communication software. The Closing Specialist will be familiar with mortgage lending, financial and/or housing coaching/counseling, be optimistic, while maintaining the ability to realistically assess and manage client expectations and outcomes.

PRIMARY DUTIES/REPONSIBILITIES

SCALE EMPLOYER ACCESS/RELATIONS

Strong Pierce County employer relationships are vital to T/PC HFH and imperative to the Homeowner Services department. Through employer relations, the qualified Closing Specialist will increase the number of potential homeownership applicants. The Closing Specialist acts as a conduit by gaining direct access to employees allowing the Homeowner Services team to facilitate interactive
on-site/virtual workshops. These workshops allow Homeowner Services to deliver valuable homeownership and personal finance information to residents and qualified homebuyers. Cities and zip codes for employer outreach to remain specific to HFH homebuilding sites.

• Build/maintain employer network for increased access to potential homebuyers
• Develop clear strategies for employer network growth and outcomes
• Create/maintain employer contact/service files in Salesforce CRM
• Keep employers updated on Habitat news and information
• Occasional attendance at workshops facilitated by Habitat Homeowner Services team members required

HOMEBUYER PIPELINE PRE-PURCHASE SERVICE

Having a qualified Closing Specialist assist homebuyers in the homeownership pipeline is critical in assuring the client is well-informed of all aspects of purchasing a home with T/PC HFH. The Closing Specialist is expected to walk a client through the homeownership pipeline at Tacoma/PC Habitat for Humanity; from potential applicant (query) to homeowner (closing). The Closing Specialist is also expected to become familiar with T/PC HFH affiliate lenders and community partners to assure closings conclude as expected.

• Accurately answer potential applicant questions regarding the homebuyer process at Habitat for Humanity
• Be knowledgeable about partner-lender/general credit, lending, homebuying practices in WA State
• Efficiently analyze homebuyers overall financial health including; cashflow, assets, debt and current credit standing and credit report
• Able to coach/counsel homebuyers/clients on how to successfully improve their current financial outlook
• Create client action-plans with the ability to guide client in accomplishing the goal of homeownership within expected timeframes
• Review, analyze and explain documents associated with the homebuying process (estimates/disclosures, approval letters,

  purchasing contracts, closing documents, etc.)

• Document scope of homebuyer/client assessed problem and maintain statistics on outcomes of assistance provided
• Understand DPA assistance available to homebuyers and successfully apply to all available programs as needed
• Promptly respond to client/colleague emails/requests. Perform regular follow-up with clients and partners. Periodically review files

  with Homeowner Services team

• Work closely with homebuyer and partner lender, as well as local jurisdiction to ensure homeowner is on track to close as scheduled
• Attain and maintain required counseling certifications
• Successfully follow bi-monthly meeting, workshop and sweat equity monitoring functions required to guarantee program completion

TECHNICAL DUTIES

Closing Specialist is expected to maintain data-entry systems currently utilized in Homeowner Services as well as the following:

• Create/maintain approved marketing material for workshops
• Email clients, community partners and colleagues
• Create/maintain excel spreadsheets for internal reporting and referencing
• Create/maintain MS SharePoint documents and spreadsheets as needed for homeownership duties
• Create/maintain self-scheduling client calendar (Calendly) for proper time-management
• Document homebuyer/client interaction in Salesforce CRM
• Upload all client documentation to Salesforce CRM after each digital/in-person interaction
• Teach/assist with homebuyer/homeowner education workshops as needed

SOFTWARE:
MS Word                  MS Excel                      MS PowerPoint                       MS Outlook                           MS Teams                     

MS SharePoint         Calendly                        Salesforce                                Canva                                   YouTube

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

• Employee will be expected to pass the HUD Housing Counseling exam within 90 days of hire
• Working knowledge of the mortgage loan process
• Knowledge of potential obstacles for homeownership
• Ability to analyze financial documents (personal budgets, cash flow, P&L, bank/credit card statements,

  loan agreements, credit reports, etc.)

• Ability to calculate loan rates/terms
• Demonstrate the ability to work with others, in establishing goals and objectives
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experience
• Demonstrate skill in organizing time (proper time management) and prioritizing workload

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions/information to others accurately and quickly,

  including answering phones, attending meetings, written correspondence, routine reports or other forms of communication

• Ability to read and interpret specific documents such as loan documents, disclosures and loan program information
• Ability to speak effectively in front of groups

CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS

• Comfortably work with diverse communities and clients in a tactful and empathic manner
• Ability to fluidly work with the complex demands of clients to resolve client concerns

DIRECT REPORT

Financial Success/Homeownership Manager

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions related to the Closing Specialist position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position as outlined at the time of employee receipt, management reserves the right to revise the Closing Specialist job description (adding/removing requirements) at any time.  

BENEFITS:

Benefits package includes:

• vacation/sick leave
• 12 paid holidays
• medical/dental/vision insurance
• short/long term disability, life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan plus up to 5% matching after one year
• store discount

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, genetic information, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.  A background check will be conducted before hire.