Compliance Specialist

Overview

COMPANY SUMMARY:

The John Stewart Company is a full-service housing management, development and consulting organization that began in 1978 with a commitment to providing high quality service in the affordable housing sector. We work to  enrich the lives of our residents and employees, while delivering our services cost‐effectively, efficiently and with the highest levels of professionalism, compassion, integrity and respect.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:

Under the direction of the Regional Compliance Director, the Compliance Specialist determines applicants’ initial eligibility for affordable housing programs, monitors ongoing eligibility of program participants, and ensures compliance with requirements imposed by Tax Credit programs and HUD programs, including Section 8 and PRAC programs.

Responsibilities

• • Review and approve initial certification files to ensure applicants meet move-in eligibility requirements.
  • Collaborate with Property Managers, Regional Managers, and Directors to ensure that all HUD, Tax Credit, and other affordable housing program tenant move-in files are compliant.
  • Ensure the accuracy and completeness of all HUD, Tax Credit, and other required forms.
  • Implement on-site file audit procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory agreements for each property.
  • Prepare reports of findings, identify corrective actions, and assist in making corrections or clarifications consistent with governing agency requirements and company policies.
  • Provide training and consultation regarding compliance processes and affordable housing programs.
  • Effectively and professionally interact and communicate with supervisors, managers, employees, residents, senior staff, owners, government agencies, sponsors, and clients.
  • Implement compliance tracking and reporting systems/processes to monitor compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing assigned properties.
  • Stay current on updates and changes to Tax Credit, HUD, and other affordable housing programs.
  • Schedule and coordinate ongoing file reviews and audits, including testing tenant income verifications, reviewing periodic tenant recertifications for Tax Credit and HUD compliance, and verifying compliance with Fair Housing requirements.
  • Assist in developing and delivering staff training on LIHTC, HUD regulations, and related compliance issues to ensure properties are operating and maintaining records appropriately.
  • Respond to compliance-related questions from regional personnel.
  • Assess and make recommendations to Compliance Managers, the Compliance AVP, Director, Regional Managers, and Vice Presidents regarding training needs for Property Managers and Occupancy Specialists.
  • Understand HUD Form 9834 and assist properties in preparing for Management and Occupancy Reviews (MORs).
  • Maintain required access and complete security training necessary to access all properties listed in EIV for the regional office.
  • Track EIV monthly reports and coordinate with the Corporate Office to update EIV requirements and owner authorizations.
  • Understand and implement all EIV policies and procedures required by HUD and JSCo throughout the region.

Qualifications

Demonstrated experience/training/certification that provides the necessary skills to complete all tasks described in the job description, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

KNOWLEDGE

Policies and Regulations — Knowledge of company policies, federal, state and local laws, government regulations and agency rules that pertain to properties involved specially Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, and HUD Section 8 and Public Housing programs.

Management of Financial Resources — Basic knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices for creating a realistic budget, banking, understanding financial reports and the ability to use mathematics to solve problems when acting as Property Manager.

Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, and sales techniques when acting as a Property Manager.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Business and Management Principles - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, production and tracking methods, and coordination of multiple task and resources.

Problem Sensitivity/ Deductive Reasoning — Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong and then apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.  Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and considering the relative benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Written Comprehension and Expression — Ability to read, understand and communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.  Demonstrate proficiency operating a personal computer and related software.  

Oral Comprehension and Expression — Ability to listen to, understand and speak so others can understand ideas and information presented verbally.

Math – Ability to complete basic math calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  Ability to perform all math calculations required under all agency regulatory restrictions including prorating, payroll estimating, etc.

Computer – Ability to develop and maintain computer records in Word, Excel and other software required by JSCo and regulatory agencies (e.g. Boston Post, and Yardi).  Ability to develop tracking and report forms in Word and Excel as needed.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of two years of experience in property compliance and file review, including HUD and Tax Credit occupancy compliance, as well as planning, scheduling, and completing major projects with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying problems, analyzing issues, recommending solutions, and implementing practical and effective resolutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

WORKING CONDITIONS/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• This position deals with outside personnel such as residents and clients on a regular basis with contact in various forms such as in person, phone and email.
• The location of the position changes frequently from indoors to outdoors as site visits are necessary. However, extreme environmental conditions do not exist.   
• It is sometimes necessary to deal with unpleasant or angry people with the need to problem solve difficult situations.
• It is necessary to adapt to a frequently changing environment.
• Sitting and standing is as needed.
• It is necessary for the position to travel independently to property locations on a regular basis.
• Hybrid – with the opportunity to work remotely up to 80% of the time based on business needs, operational requirements, and sustained satisfactory performance. Candidates must report to the regional office and/or assigned properties as business needs and supervisor dictate.

JOB DESCRIPTION REVISION

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job.  While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.  This job description replaces all previous descriptions for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits-at-a-glance

 Benefits for Employees who work 30+ hours/week -

• Medical, dental and vision care; preventative medical care paid at 100%.
• Vacation leave of up to ten days per year in the first year.
• Up to 80 hours of sick time per year.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health Care and Dependent Care.
• Company paid Life AD&D Long Term Disability.
• Free, confidential counseling through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Commuter benefit program.
• Discounts for AT&T and ClassPass.
• $100 annual Wellness Reimbursement.
• Matching 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan of up to 2% of your compensation (for any employee who works 20 hours or more per week).

Benefits for Employees who work less than 30 hours/week - 

• Free, confidential counseling through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Commuter benefit program.
• Discounts for AT&T and ClassPass.
• $100 annual Wellness Reimbursement.
• Matching 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan of up to 2% of your compensation (for any employee who works 20 hours or more per week)
• Up to 80 hours of sick time per year.

#JS1388

Equal Opportunity Employer

The John Stewart Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. The John Stewart Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative.

California Consumer Privacy Act

Effective January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act requires businesses that meet certain minimum threshold requirements to provide a “notice at collection” to applicants for employment who reside in California.  The notice at collection describes the categories of personal information to be collected about these California applicants and the purposes for using that personal information.  Therefore, we have posted the Company’s “Notice At Collection For California Applicants” here.  Please review this Notice at your convenience.

Compensation: 38.5 to 43.25 (USD)