Compliance Specialist

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Job description

Job Summary

Monitor portfolio-wide and individual properties to ensure compliance with applicable landlord-tenant law and affordable housing programs. Keep current on all changes in landlord-tenant law and affordable housing regulation and assist with the distribution of information to Compliance, Asset Management, and Property Operations staff in all regions. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Mission Values: At Mercy Housing we believe that business and mission are not competing values. Employees are expected to contribute to a mission and values centered culture. Employees are expected to articulate and incorporate the mission and core values of Respect, Justice and Mercy into their day-to-day work, as well as demonstrate commitment to issues of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are more effective when diverse groups of people, including residents, feel valued, respected, and included.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Keep current on all updates and changes in federal, state, and local landlord-tenant law and affordable housing programs and requirements. Assist with preparing explanations and implementation procedures of new and existing laws and regulations and other information related to compliance guidelines.

· Work with Compliance, Training, and Property Management personnel to develop action plans for non-compliant properties

· Cultivate relationships with Mercy Housing staff, investors, reporting agencies, legal team, and state/local industry associations.

· Assist with development and implementation of procedures to ensure individual asset compliance with regulatory programs and requirements for portfolio-wide and individual properties, including but not limited to the Occupancy Directives Documents Bundle, which includes, but is not limited to, the Regulatory Abstract, Resident Selection Criteria, Resident Screening, AFHMP, waitlist management, and the Lease Documents package (Lease, House Rules, and Lease Addenda). Implementation procedures includes all set up, validation and onboarding process of assets onto the Real Page Software platform including asset specific Custom Packets.

· Support the development of the process for assuring that consistent landlord-tenant law and compliance training opportunities (external or internal) are in place or available for new Property Management personnel. Provide regional on demand support, as needed.

· Support and backup to regulatory compliance specialist on service desk tickets.

· In consultation with the Property Management, provide orientation and training to property managers. This may include initial orientation of new staff as well as re-orientation of existing staff.

· Assess and make recommendations to Property Management regarding Compliance - Occupancy performance management feedback and training needs for Property Managers consistent with Mercy guidelines.

· Act as backup specialist for the Management Specialist team on active lease-ups. This will require that functions of these positions be kept current.

· Support the lease-up process through investor approval/first-year file submission for all new properties coming online to ensure that regulatory requirements are met and satisfied, including the supervision of the development and monitor lease up matrices for all new lease up properties.

· Support the set-up and implementation of Real Page modules to be in compliance with all regulatory agreements and landlord-tenant law regulations as well as Mercy organizational objectives, including leasing and rents, resident credit/criminal screening, etc.

· Support the development, management, and compliance of the "Forms Library" on the Real Page and/or SharePoint platforms.

· Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

· Work cooperatively with others.

· Comply with all company policies and procedures.

Competencies

• Articulate and integrate the mission and the core values of Respect, Justice and Mercy into day-to-day work. Recognize racial equity, diversity, and inclusion as integral components of our culture.
• Motivate people to superior performance, with and without direct line authority.
• Work in a complex and changing organization and adapt to changes in structures and work priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

· There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.

Minimum Qualifications of Position

· Bachelor's degree.

· Current compliance certifications for Tax Credit and HUD.

· Minimum of three (3) years in national / multi-regional property management, asset management, or housing regulatory organization / agency.

· Must possess a thorough knowledge of HUD, Low Income Housing Tax Credit, Farmers Home programs, and other affordable housing programs.

· Experience in design of assessment and training tools.

Preferred Qualifications of Position

· Experience in the use of property management / compliance monitoring software.

Knowledge and Skills

· Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to relate well to people from diverse backgrounds; work as a part of a team and in a collaborative manner with staff, peers, and supervisor.

· Read and interpret complex documents, such as regulatory agreements and compliance regulations.

· Interpret and understand resident file information.

· Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, including the ability to provide technical assistance on complex compliance issues in a simple, straightforward manner.

Travel

· Up to 50% travel may be required throughout the Mercy portfolio.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Physical: Must be able to push/pull object less than 30 pounds, walk, climb stairs and enter/exit buildings that are under construction, occasionally, without normal ingress/egress available.

Sensory: Ability to read fine print on documents. Able to speak clearly and make self-understood, while also understanding others using the English language.

Cognitive: Ability to understand and relate to concepts behind specific ideas and remember multiple tasks/assignments given to others over a period of days. Able to concentrate on moderate detail in both office and field with moderate interruption. Able to attend task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time.

Environment: Exposure to different climates. Exposure to dust, dirt, air particles, and hazardous materials common to residential construction sites.

Equipment: Ability to properly operate computers & telephone.

Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Duties may be reassigned, or other duties may be assigned. Furthermore, it does not establish a contract of employment and is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer.

Mercy Housing provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.