Senior Compliance Specialist (62608)

About Abode Communities 

Abode Communities is a nonprofit social enterprise that has been rooted in community development throughout the State of California since 1968. More than an affordable housing provider, our work fosters a culture of housing inclusion by integrating families and individuals with neighborhoods so communities at-large can thrive. 

Position Summary

The Senior Compliance Specialist reports to the Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, and is responsible for ensuring Abode Communities’ portfolio, which is currently comprised of 51 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 Senior 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 Senior Compliance Specialist is responsible for tenant file reviews, audits, onsite file reviews, tracking and completing certifications, and input into property management software (Boston Post).

Primary Responsibilities & Accountabilities

(Key duties or essential priorities for fulfilling the job’s purpose) 

Compliance

• Oversee and manage waiting list for each property in assigned portfolio, ensuring waiting lists 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.
• Complete Urban Futures reporting requirements.
• Oversee all annual and quarterly bond, city, state, and investor reporting.
• 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 detailed responses to auditors regarding outstanding findings.
• Request and implement contract increases for Section 8 households.
• Implement rent increases to tenants.
• Provide weekly lease-up updates to the VP of Property Management from working with the leasing staff.
• Oversee EIV Reporting for HUD projects
• Review and complete HAP and submit to contract administrator by required deadline.
• 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 Regional Managers of staff’s performance of compliance responsibilities for annual performance evaluations.
• Provide onboarding to new property management staff as required.
• Analyze necessary portions of Regulatory Agreements.
• Assign credentials to software as required.
• Assist the VP, P&AM and Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs with other property management matters and situations which may be outside Occupancy as required.
• Assist with administrative requirements as needed.
• Special projects as designated by Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs or designee

Equivalent Education, Experiences, Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• High school diploma required, Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field highly preferred,.
• 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.
• Ability to travel within the assigned service area.

Equal Opportunity Policy 

Abode Communities embraces equal opportunity and diversity as a core value. We define diversity as “Fostering an organizational culture of inclusion, where different experiences and perspectives of those we serve and those with whom we work are respected and valued”. Abode Communities fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain talented people from diverse candidate pools. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.