Senior Compliance Specialist

  • Full-time

Company Description

Abode Communities is a regional non-profit architectural, real estate development and property management firm. Abode Communities Property Management manages 37 multifamily residential communities serving some 6,200 low-income people throughout California. The organization, with a 98% portfolio-wide occupancy rate, offers a full range of professional services to ensure our residential portfolios, and housing portfolios of similar community development organizations, remain physically solvent and in compliance with regulatory requirements. Property management staff members go above and beyond to ensure each property managed becomes a pillar within its community. This is accomplished through the creation of vibrant, connected spaces that support each resident’s emotional, physical and financial ability to thrive.

Job Description

THE POSITION
The Compliance Specialist reports to the Compliance Manager and is responsible for ensuring Abode Communities’ portfolio, which is currently comprised of 37 properties, remains in compliance at all times with the requirements of various local, state and federal agencies including, but not limited to, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC), the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC), the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD), the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), the County of Los Angeles Community Development Commission (LACDC), and the Housing Departments and Housing Authorities of various cities including Los Angeles, Pasadena and Long Beach. The Compliance Specialist is also responsible for maintaining current and accurate affordability mix abstracts for all properties in the portfolio and working closely with the Property Supervisors and Property Managers to ensure actual tenant income and rent levels meet eligibility requirements. Finally the Compliance/Occupancy Specialist is responsible for tenant file reviews, audits, onsite file reviews, tracking and completing certifications, and input into property management software (Boston Post).

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to the following:

•    Oversee and manage waiting list for each property in assigned portfolio, ensuring waiting lists must are up to date and accurate.  Conduct semi-annual updates to waiting lists, review and purge inactive applications from the waiting list after reviewing documentation to support the removal action, and work with Property Supervisors to market and replenish the waiting list.
•    Conduct site audits to ensure compliance to policies and regulatory agreements, procedures regarding waiting list, resident files, and filling systems.
•    Oversee and manage the annual income recertification process for the portfolio. Send out monthly reminders per the recertification calendar to on-site staff and property supervisors; follow up on outstanding annual recertifications with property supervisors and on-site staff; and conduct internal annual recertification audits to ensure files are accurate and meet compliance requirements.
•    Maintain and regularly update the Compliance Calendars for reporting requirements, audits and inspections.
•    Prepare annual SRIs for HCD funded properties and regulatory requirements.
•    Responsible to complete Urban Future reporting requirements.
•    Conduct files audits on site at properties in preparation for audits/inspections from various agencies, not limited to: TCAC, HCD, HOME, Urban Futures, County and City Audits.
•    Ensure required reports are received timely from on-site staff as requested by TCAC for scheduled audits and inspections, PSRs, rent rolls, audit/inspection notices. Reports must be reviewed for accuracy prior to sending to any agency requesting the information. 
•    Attend site audits.
•    Assist with lease-ups: Oversee the application intake and logging of applications during the lease-up period to ensure all applications are accounted for and properly logged on a waiting list. Prepare the unit designation spreadsheet and oversee the application process to meet lease-up schedule. Assist in other areas including applicant interviews, file review and approval as needed throughout the lease-up process. 
•    Provide weekly lease-up updates to the VP of PM from working with the leasing staff.
•    Review and approve move in files for the properties in compliance with regulatory restrictions applicable to each property.
•    Conduct a post move-in file audit to ensure the file contains all pertinent documentation and required forms and lease.
•    Complete the move-in process in Boston Post.
•    Update utility allowance schedules and make appropriate changes in Boston Post. Plan of action must be discussed and approved by the Compliance Manager prior to implementation. 
•    Coordinate Compliance and Occupancy training for staff.
•    Respond to staff’s compliance questions. 
•    Assist with Work Number requests from site staff.
•    Provide feedback to the Property Supervisors of Property Management of staff’s performance of compliance responsibilities for annual performance evaluations.
•    Assist the VP and Compliance Manager with other property management matters and situations which may be outside Occupancy as required.
•    Ability to analyze necessary portions of Regulatory Agreements
 

Qualifications

•    Minimum 3 years’ experience in monitoring Tax Credit programs.
•    Knowledgeable and verifiably trained in Tax Credit programs (TCAC, CDLAC, State HCD, HUD, County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles).
•    Knowledgeable and trained in Fair Housing regulations.
•    Computer literate for the production of compliance reports, correspondence to regulatory agencies, etc.
•    Strong communication skills, verbal and written.
•    Ability to take initiative in problem solving and possess strong analytical skills.
•    Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
•    Ability to work independently.
•    Ability to travel to visit properties and attend required training.
•    Experience in property management software, preferably Boston Post.
•    Familiar with nonprofit, multi-funded organization.
•    Familiar with LAHD procedures a plus.
•    Experience in working with Urban Futures a plus
•    Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
•    Sensitive to the needs and concerns of low-income persons and possess a commitment to affordable housing.

Additional Information

Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, vision and life insurance, long-term disability insurance, 401(k) plan with employer match, Flexible Spending Accounts (Health and Dependent Care), company subsidized parking, paid vacation and sick leave, and a work schedule that includes every other Friday off.

Abode Communities is an EEO employer.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.