Compliance Specialist - LA Corporate

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.

 

Under the direction of the AVP of Compliance, 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. - HUD, Tax Credit, and other affordable housing program. This is not a remote position. Must be able to independently travel to various property locations as needed. 

• New Property Lease-Up Support:
  • Lead and support the compliance setup and
  • Lease-up of new properties by training property staff on lease-up tracking reports, applicant interview and verification procedures, and file preparation requirements;
  • Establish effective processes for obtaining and reviewing required verifications;
  • Coordinate the timely submission of complete applicant files to Corporate Compliance for approval, ensuring eligible applicants can proceed to move-in efficiently and in compliance with all applicable program requirements.
• 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.

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

• This is not a remote position. The Compliance Specialist is expected to work on-site at assigned properties on a regular basis and must be able to independently travel to various property locations as needed.
• Candidates must report to the regional office and/or assigned properties as business needs and supervisor dictate.
• 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.

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.

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.