Compliance Specialist (Housing)
: Job Details :

DescriptionAbout Swords to PlowsharesFounded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We promote and protect the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education, and partnerships with local, state, and national entities. Believing that war causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield, our mission is to heal the wounds of war and to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and to end homelessness and poverty among those we serve. To learn more about Swords to Plowshares, please visit our website at www.swords-to-plowshares.org.Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement of Intent:Swords to Plowshares is fully committed to the ongoing work of creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. For us, this is a process and not a destination. We embrace the principles of cultural humility to create spaces where all people feel welcome, heard, and valued.We stand against injustice and discrimination of all kinds. This includes mistreatment based on race, age, color, veteran/military status, language, ethnic background, national origin, ancestry, ability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, other status protected by law, and the other qualities/traits that make you unique. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals.Job TitleCompliance SpecialistLocationWar Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness and work from home on a 30% (at home)/70% (in the office) basis.Date PostedAugust 28, 2024Valid ThroughOctober 1, 2024Employment TypeExempt - fulltime permanentSchedule

• Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm core business hours
• This position requires in-person work and will visit all building sites on an as needed basis.
• The person in this position will be stationed at the War Memorial Building and is able to work from home.
• This position may require, from time to time, early, late and weekend hours based on compliance needs.

SummaryThe Compliance Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of housing compliance including reporting, policy and procedures, and on-site file reviews for the Swords to Plowshares portfolio. This position supports the Director of Property Management with compliance matters working collaboratively with site managers. Primary responsibility will be keeping tenants and properties in compliance with HUD, Tax Credit, and investing agencies. The individual in this position must be highly detailed, organized and date sensitive. Responsibilities (include but may not be limited to)CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING

• Leads internal monitoring and auditing of all resident initial and annual income certifications for accuracy and compliance with rent limits, utility allowance, income limits and occupancy standards based on regulatory and program requirements.
• Must be present for all agency file audits/reviews.
• Work with on-site management to correct findings and prepare timely responses.
• Create and maintain master calendar to ensure all reporting documents to the appropriate agencies are submitted in a timely manner.
• Monitor annual certification process.
• Develops, implements and/or revises compliance policies and procedures to ensure site staff are in compliance with funding programs.
• Ensures property managers have received required certifications as appropriate and that they maintain their certifications. Compliance Specialist will maintain a list of up-to-date certifications for all Property Managers and Assistant Property Managers
• Signs off on all property management files.
• Schedules and coordinates on-going file reviews for accuracy, organization, and compliance. File reviews include physical files at the site and those files maintained in property management software.
• Ensure there is a secondary review to approve all tenant move ins.
• Review move-out files for proper procedures and timely security deposit reimbursement to tenant and posting of charges.
• Update all third-party verification for program compliance and system-wide consistency for upload to RealPage.
• Initiate and oversee implementation of comprehensive and effective Document Management within RealPage
• Review of Annual Monitoring Reports (AMR).
• Provides Director with reports on compliance for each property and reports on property management teams who are falling short on regulatory requirements.
• Monitor overall portfolio performance regarding timeliness and accuracy of reporting.
• Initiate and oversee implementation and ongoing review of RealPage/Active Building for all properties.
• Lead lease up efforts at new properties. Must be familiar with regulatory agreements as they pertain to that site.
• Provide support with updating requirements for Affirmative Fair Housing laws, Violence Against Women Act, Tax Credit Program, and other governing regulatory developments related to affordable housing and incorporate changes into policy and procedures as needed.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and in-house policies are consistent throughout the portfolio and in accordance with current regulations.
• Updates forms, documents, and resident selection criteria at the property management portal.
• Conduct background checks for those properties /residents as needed based on contract compliance.
• Act as Section 504 Coordinator for issues regarding Reasonable Accommodations and accessibility issues.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT

• Monitor annual rent & income increases publications and immediately alert the property management team, Director of Property Manager and Accounting team of new rates.
• Monitor annual utility allowance changes and inform property management team, Director of Property Management and Accounting team of new rates.

TRAINING

• Provide RealPage training and support for property management and portal support as applicable.
• Create and provide training classes as needed, at a minimum quarterly, to staff with updates, new regulations, or review of identified weak areas in regard to HUD, Tax Credit, Landlord Tenant Laws, Fair Housing, AMR and other reporting.
• Inform property management team of all external compliance training available.
• Works with People and Culture to create and maintain master calendar of all completed internal and external trainings and workshops, classes and seminars for property management teams.
• Attends industry meetings, workshops and trainings as required.

COMMUNICATION

• Bring areas of concern and non-compliance to Director of Property Management's attention. Discuss shortfalls with property management team and create performance plan to address.
• Ensures templates for resident communications have been reviewed through a compliance and DEI lens and makes changes as needed.
• Responds to text, emails and phone calls in a timely manner. Emails and phone calls would be 24 hours during normal work week. Text response should be 30 minutes during normal business hours.
• Maintains a calendar to reflect what sites the Compliance Specialist will be working and shares this with the Director and Assistant Director of Property Management.
• Provide email, phone and in-person support to property management team for compliance issues.
• Participates in interviewing of property managers.

RequirementsEducation

• Tax Credit Specialist or Certified Occupancy Specialist
• Graduated from an accredited high school. Minimum completion of either:

At least two (2) years of college or graduation from a business or vocational school, or

Equivalent amount of specialized, related training in property management, tax credit compliance, assisted housing programs or similar.

Experience

• Five years' experience in property management, with strong knowledge of compliance, HUD and Tax Credit requirements.
• Experience working with an at-risk or low-income population.
• Familiarity with affordable housing management principles, including funding and regulatory requirements, landlord/tenant law, and fair housing regulations.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge/experience with HUD 4350.3 handbook and IRS section 42 compliance.
• Ability to pass Housing Manager and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Aptitude Test.
• Understanding of basic multi-family property management practices.
• Working knowledge of Landlord/Tenant Act and Fair Housing Policy.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of personalities.
• Ability to travel between San Francisco community sites to carry out responsibilities.

SkillsMust be willing to embrace the agency's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative.

• Must have excellent organization, administrative, financial and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must be Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and property management software.
• Must have excellent problem-solving skills and be detail oriented.
• Must be able to work independently in a busy and dynamic work environment

BenefitsCompensation is based on a competitive public interest salary scale. Swords to Plowshares offers a generous benefits package including the following benefits:

• Excellent medical and dental packages
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• 17 vacation days in the first year
• 13 holidays every year
• Wellness program

How to apply:Please apply directly on the company website - To follow up on your application status you can contact / leave a message at 415-###-#### ext. 356 and we will get back to you as soon as we can.Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:At Swords to Plowshares, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to compliance with all state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.We are dedicated to affirmative action and providing equal employment opportunities for everyone. We strive to ensure that all individuals-regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status-are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities in alignment with federal regulations (Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974).If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at ...@stp-sf.org. We're here to help.