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Cesar Chavez Foundation · 3 months ago

Affordable Housing Compliance Specialist

Gilroy, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$67K/yr - $70K/yr

4+ years exp

Cesar Chavez Foundation is seeking an Affordable Housing Compliance Specialist who will report to the Compliance Director. This role is responsible for managing compliance aspects related to affordable housing programs, including monitoring, reporting, and providing support for property compliance and tenant evaluations.

FarmingSocial

Responsibilities

Perform all functions using various software programs/applications, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Adobe Pro, Yardi, Smartsheet, etc

Maintenance of the Replacement Reserve log through Smartsheet, external systems as applicable, and related functions

Maintenance of the Reporting Log through Smartsheet and other internal systems as assigned

The Compliance Specialist is responsible for system maintenance (i.e., Smartsheet, Yardi, etc.) associated with all tasks and functions, including, but not limited to, audit archives, data logs, spreadsheets, attachment logs, dashboards, anticipated audit logs, etc.). System administration is completed under the guidance of compliance management and internal policy

Assists the Compliance Management team with the development and maintenance of workflows, workflow management and tracking systems, development of tools, and centralization of resources

Management of replacement reserve processes, collection of data/information, analysis of acceptability, including processing of requests, acquiring third-party approval, adherence to property/program-specific requirements, tracking, and record retention, internal/close-out procedures, etc

Assists with evaluations of tenant rents, including max rent analysis (unsubsidized units, HCV contract rents, and HAP, etc.), compliance with program-based rental increase rules, compliance with utility allowances, develops discovery reports with recommendations, and implements corrective action under the guidance of the Compliance Director

Oversees all aspects of program-based marketing obligations, including required property/occupancy registrations with monthly updates (e.g., LA County, AcHP, etc.), assists in the development of program-required affirmative fair housing marketing plans (AFHMP), distribution of affirmative marketing per established frequency (semiannual or monthly for lease-ups/workouts, etc.), and monitoring and tracking of agency-required general marketing efforts. Works with property management team members to resolve issues and monitors corrective action status through completion

Provides assistance with third-party reporting obligations as assigned (investor, lender, regulatory agency). Manages additional internal reporting items, oversees tracking systems, and collaborates with various team members and other departments (e.g., property site, property supervisor) to collect/evaluate information. Oversees the corrective action process and status for pending items and monitors tasks through completion

Conducts monitoring for program compliance per the established frequency/quota/program regulations/rules, as amended, and per the guidance of the Compliance Management team. Conducts monitoring procedures regularly, including monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual reviews, consisting of targeted risk reviews, rent analysis, and quality assurance reviews

Provides onsite gap assistance for lease-ups when needed, including remote lease-up assistance, as assigned. Lease-up tasks include, but are not limited to, eligibility/occupancy review/approval procedures for applicant and tenant files, direct processing of files (conducting applicant/tenant interviews, obtaining/documenting third-party verification, etc.), scanning/digital record management, tenant file setup, and first-year file clearance processes

Provides support to property staff through training, technical assistance, guidance, or through special projects as assigned

The Compliance Specialist will also assist with training efforts for other team members and property management personnel, including informal training assistance and formal training efforts. The Compliance Specialist will conduct routine training/technical assistance sessions following quality assurance reviews and rent analysis, as established and amended

As needed, the Compliance Specialist will travel to various properties throughout the CCF portfolio to assist in special projects, including projects aiming to restore or improve compliance in areas of elevated or substantial default (e.g., completing recertifications to resolve late status, applicant file processing to assist with a property’s declining occupancy, etc.)

Extensive and continual reading and analysis of regulatory literature, program rules, and policies

Review of regulatory agreements, financing documents, and other property records as applicable for identification of property-specific obligations, program layering applicability/conflicts, and monitoring/implementation requirements

Evaluation and enforcement of compliance with the various housing programs as directed by compliance management and as outlined by the applicable regulations/internal requirements

The Compliance Specialist acquires and maintains advanced-level capacity for compliance monitoring of various affordable housing programs, as applicable, regarding eligibility (including regulatory agency protocols), physical standards (NSPIRE or other standard as applicable), building rules (applicable fraction, NAUR, etc.), project rules (minimum set-aside, compliance with project elections, etc.), and program administration rules (waiting lists, marketing, affirmative marketing, tenant selection, notice requirements, signage/postings, forms, resident services, charges, lease requirements, VAWA, resident rights/responsibilities, termination of assistance/tenancy, etc.), including, but not limited to, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, HUD programs (VASH, Section 8, 202 PRAC), Bond, HOME, AHP, MHP, HCD programs, various special needs housing programs, etc

Travel to training and operational events periodically, as assigned. The Compliance Specialist also maintains flexibility to travel up to 50% of the time (measured by the approximate full-time hours expected to work within the year), and travels to all locations where the organization conducts business, including out-of-state locations and extended stays, as assigned

The Compliance Specialist participates in meetings, evaluations, and goal-setting

Completes other tasks as assigned

Qualification

Affordable Housing ComplianceCompliance MonitoringYardiSmartsheetAdobe ProMicrosoft OfficeFinancial Statements UnderstandingData AnalysisProblem-Solving SkillsEffective CommunicationAttention to DetailTime ManagementTeam Collaboration

Required

The Compliance Specialist acquires and maintains advanced-level capacity for compliance monitoring of various affordable housing programs, as applicable, including, but not limited to, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, HUD programs (VASH, Section 8, 202 PRAC), Bond, HOME, AHP, MHP, HCD programs, various special needs housing programs, etc

A valid driver's license and a satisfactory motor vehicle record are required

Candidates must be eligible to drive in both California and Arizona and meet the organization's vehicle‑use and insurance requirements

Perform all functions using various software programs/applications, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Adobe Pro, Yardi, Smartsheet, etc

The Compliance Specialist successfully acquires the professional industry designations outlined below, as well as other relevant designations/training as assigned. Scores of 85% or greater are required

Novogradac Property Compliance Certification (NPCC): within two months in the role

Certified Occupancy Specialist Advanced (COSA) & Tax Credit Specialist Advance (TCSA): in six months

Enterprise Income Verification Specialist (EIVS): within nine months

Blended Occupancy Specialist (BOS) and MOR Specialist (MORS): within twelve months

Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP): within twenty-six months

The Compliance Specialist must: have adequate skill in Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office programs, sound ability to draft formal business correspondence swiftly/effectively, professionally communicate in both written and verbal form, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, advanced-level attention to detail, and accuracy in recognizing that small numbers and details matter, have ability to acquire advance capacity to identify noncompliance and effective corrective action (including layered program scenarios), have ability to acquire moderate-to-advance capacity to effectively manage and maneuver through the technical systems (i.e., Smartsheet, Yardi, HUD Secure Systems, and external partner/regulatory systems, etc.) and related procedures (i.e., archiving data electronically, filtering electronic data to streamline views, managing sheets, automated workflows/set-up, Excel formulas, electronic workbooks/sheets, etc.), have moderate-to-advance level ability to understand financial statements and concepts, have basic-to-moderate competency in producing/understanding Excel formulas, ability to compute figures with accuracy (i.e., projecting a household's estimated annual income with full or limited details, calculate large sums with accuracy, and other business math), ability to develop and maintain an advanced-level compliance knowledge/skill for all applicable programs/procedures, ability to read/examine/apply extensive legal records or regulatory literature, perform effective analysis of information, resolve issues independently where limited standardization exists, ability to apply logical and critical thinking concepts, demonstrate effective problem-solving skills, ability to perform research and make decisions based on adequate analysis of information and circumstances, ability to travel routinely including extended stays, establish sound priorities and meet deadlines, effectively manage a large workload, maintain effective performance during rush periods, handle sensitive information with integrity, work productively and with initiative, have the flexibility to adapt to change effectively, maintain adequate typing (i.e., 55 wpm or more), work well independently and in a group environment, strive to do more for the team, and carries out work professionally in both product and conduct

A minimum of four years of college education/technical school training, •or• four years of relatable experience/training, •or• an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred

Five years or more of experience in a relatable occupation, or experience in an affordable housing program, is preferred

Professional industry designations, such as Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Novogradac Property Compliance Certification (NPCC), and Certified Occupancy Specialist Advanced (COSA), are highly preferred

Experience with Smartsheet or Yardi is preferred; the ability to design and build digital monitoring systems (dashboards, moderate-to-advanced formulas, etc.) is highly preferred