Senior Clearance Operations Associate

About the team

Spruce, a Zillow® Group company, was founded in 2016 to deliver fast, frictionless and secure real estate closings, representing more than $20 billion of transactions nationwide. We are a team with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, from respected title and real estate industry veterans to innovative product managers, engineers and data scientists. What brings us together is our passion for building a better closing experience.

We believe that the future of real estate will be driven by automation, efficiency, and digital experiences. Our mission is to provide the products and services necessary to make that happen.
We believe that the future of real estate will be driven by automation, efficiency, and digital experiences. Our mission is to provide the products and services vital to make that happen!

About the role

Spruce is looking for a Senior Clearance Associate to join a small Title Solutions team making a big impact.  This role requires the individual to quickly adapt to support teammates and customers’ needs while delivering a world-class experience through independent problem solving and deep knowledge of the curative function. The responsibilities of the Senior Clearance Associate role will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review title commitments and attorney title opinion letters to identify matters to be cured prior to or at closing such as municipal liens, satisfaction of judgments, UCC-3 terminations, owner title affidavits, and survey affidavits. 

• Coordinate with consumers, creditors, attorneys, and underwriters to cure issues reflected on title commitments, such as loans, liens, judgments, and taxes. 

• Update title commitments to revise requirements and exceptions as new information becomes available during the clearance process, such as using a social security number to clear a judgment and remove the corresponding requirement.  

• Interpret buyer and lender requests for title waivers and prepare a pro forma title insurance policy or marked-up title commitment. 

• Draft deeds, affidavits, and escrow agreements in markets where allowed; order deeds and other legal documents from vendor and legal partners. 

• Review and approve the following documents: surveys, divorce decrees, trust agreements, probate proceedings, bankruptcies, death certificates, entity articles, and court dockets. 

• Search county records for recorded instruments such as releases. 

• Input invoice charges to the settlement statement for fees accrued during the clearance process, such as surveyor invoices. 

• Generate and revise Insured Closing Protection Letters (CPLs) 

• Calculate title insurance premiums and prepare invoices itemizing all costs for title-only transactions in which Spruce fulfills title in states where an attorney serves as settlement agent. 

• Communicate by phone and email with all parties in the transaction and help take and direct incoming calls on the general phone line 

• Confirm all outstanding matters are cleared prior to or at close of escrow, while moving quickly and efficiently through a queue of urgent tasks. 

In performing the above responsibilities, the Clearance Associate must adhere to performance metrics and turnaround times according to established service standards and key performance indicators, which metrics are closely monitored and reported on a weekly basis. 

This role has been categorized as a Remote position. “Remote” employees do not have a permanent corporate office workplace and, instead, work from a physical location of their choice, which must be identified to the Company. U.S. employees may live in any of the 50 United States, with limited exceptions.In California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC the standard base pay range for this role is $25.60 - $38.40 Hourly. This base pay range is specific to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Washington state, and Washington DC and may not be applicable to other locations.In addition to a competitive base salary this position is also eligible for equity awards based on factors such as experience, performance and location. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location.

Who you are

The ideal candidate will bring a passion for providing high-quality and timely service to internal and external customers and will thrive in a fast-paced, team-centric environment. Key attributes include 

• Seven years minimum of title industry experience; deep expertise in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and/or New Jersey markets a plus 

• High attention to detail 

• Confidence with editing deeds, affidavits, and indemnity agreements 

• Understanding of title clearance requirements, including ability to read title commitments, delete requirements and exceptions as appropriate, and prepare pro forma title policies. Test required

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for consulting with underwriters on technical title issues and collaborating with attorneys, clients, and vendors 

• Team player who maintains a positive attitude and supports teammate absences while managing multiple files of your own under tight deadlines within an ongoing pipeline   

• Able to work in a startup environment and quickly adapt to frequent change, such as new client requirements and new market areas 

• Proactive thinker who can see the big picture and who is resourceful and willing to take initiative and attempt to find a solution before escalating 

Zillow is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people.

As the most-visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow® and its affiliates help movers find and win their home through digital solutions, first class partners, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences. Millions of people visit Zillow Group sites every month to start their home search, and now they can rely on Zillow to help make it easier to move. The work we do helps people get home and no matter what job you're in, you will play a critical role in making home a reality for more and more people.

Our efforts to streamline the real estate transaction are supported by a deep-rooted culture of innovation, our passion to redefine the employee experience, a fundamental commitment to Equity and Belonging, andworld-class benefits. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages as well as parental leave, family benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off. We’re also setting the standard for work experiences of the future, where our employees are supported in doing their best work and living a flexible, well-balanced life. But don’t just take our word for it. Read recent reviews on Glassdoor and recent recognition from multiple organizations, including: the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equity Index, and TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Zillow Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at [email protected].

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable state and local law.

Get to know us

Zillow is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people.

As the most-visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow® and its affiliates help movers find and win their home through digital solutions, first class partners, and easier buying, selling, financing and renting experiences. Millions of people visit Zillow Group sites every month to start their home search, and now they can rely on Zillow to help make it easier to move. The work we do helps people get home and no matter what job you're in, you will play a critical role in making home a reality for more and more people.

Our efforts to streamline the real estate transaction are supported by a deep-rooted culture of innovation, our passion to redefine the employee experience, a fundamental commitment to Equity and Belonging, andworld-class benefits. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages as well as parental leave, family benefits, retirement contributions, and paid time off. We’re also setting the standard for work experiences of the future, where our employees are supported in doing their best work and living a flexible, well-balanced life. But don’t just take our word for it. Read recent reviews on Glassdoor and recent recognition from multiple organizations, including: the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equity Index, and TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Zillow Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact your recruiter directly.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable state and local law.

Applicants who receive job offers from Zillow Group will be asked to sign a Proprietary Rights Agreement which includes confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, customer and employee non-solicitation, and non-competition provisions. If you are contacted for a role at Zillow Group and wish to review a copy of the Proprietary Rights Agreement prior to receiving an offer, you may request a copy from your Recruiter.