Certification Specialist

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm, ALL Federal holidays off and paid.

Pay: $25.11 to $26.54 per hour

Benefits:

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• Health Savings Account
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 13 Paid Holidays, including 1 Personal Holiday
• Annual and Sick Leave Accrual - 8 hours each per month

Investment and Retirement Programs:

• State of Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation with organizational match of 3.1% (voluntary)

Voluntary Benefits:

• Optional plans for life insurance, disability

Visit our website at https://www.housingkitsap.org/

Housing Kitsap is committed to providing affordable housing and building connections within our community throughout Kitsap County. We are looking for a talented and motivated person to join our compliance team.

Essential Job Duties

Occupancy

• Conduct interviews of clients/Residents.
• Determine eligibility, both initial and continuing.
• Request, prepare and complete forms, correspondence, and documents to verify eligibility including but not limited to criminal background checks, income verification, and family composition; create/maintain computer and hard copy confidential client files. Refer to community and public agencies for assistance; terminate assistance when appropriate and required by HUD.
• Apply independent judgment to complex housing needs in a fair and consistent manner in accordance with continually changing regulatory rules, HUD regulations, and HK policy and procedures.
• Maintain files, logs and other paperwork related to participant households to ensure all files meet HUD and LIHTC audit Standards. Coordinate information with supervisor for denials, non-compliance, and termination of participants.
• Provide federal and local housing program information including policies and procedure to the public; work with and build relationships with the property manager and other agencies as needed.
• Meet high customer service standards, including prompt return of phone calls and handling walk-in clients, according to protocol standards. Cooperate with external parties to evaluate and /or assist in the maintenance of Section 8 participation.
• Build HK’s compliance capacity through clear communication, information sharing and mentoring.
• Prepare, post and mail notices to tenants.
• Process change of circumstances submitted by tenants in a timely manner.
• Review waiting list of assigned properties for compliance.
• Be present for all agencies file audits, and work with compliance team to close out any findings.
• Work with on-site management to correct findings and prepare response, jointly create and maintain master calendar to ensure all reporting to the appropriate agencies and/or Director of Compliance are completed and delivered by the required deadline.
• Monitor overall property compliance performance in regard to timeliness and accuracy of certifications and reporting. Maintain an accuracy rating of 80% or higher.
• Be knowledgeable in areas of Fair Housing laws for the state of Washington.
• Be knowledgeable in Landlord Tenant Laws for the state of Washington.

Consultation

• Provide Property Management Team with advice and information regarding compliance processes and other aspects of tenant relations and property management.
• Provide Director of Compliance with insight and advice on issues related to property operations and portfolio performance.

Training

• Work with Director of Compliance to provide training classes as needed, at least quarterly, to staff with updates, new regulations, or review of identified weak areas in regard to HUD, Tax Credit, Landlord Tenant Laws, Fair Housing, etc.
• Monitor releases on new policies and regulations on a regular basis

Fiscal Management

• Monitor to ensure updated income and utilities information is in Housing Kitsap software and the Web Based Annual Reporting System (WBARS) for all applicable properties.
• Process timely certifications to remove liability of Housing Kitsap responsibility for market rate.

General Responsibilities

• Organize and maintain records of compliance reports and responses for compliance operations.
• Observe/follow guidelines on confidentiality rights of residents and respect their privacy.
• Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets and mileage records on schedule.
• Attend trainings required of employees and staff meetings as scheduled. Attend external trainings as appropriate/approved to improve knowledge and job skills.
• Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented work environment.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: 2 years’ experience in the affordable housing industry.
• Certified Occupancy Specialist, C3P, HCCP Certification strongly preferred or obtained within first year of employment.
• Must have experience and be able to use the following modern office business equipment: Telephone; personal computer; computer printer; FAX machine; copier; and other equipment as technology evolves and needs arise.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. Previous experience with property management software Yardi Voyager preferred.
• Possess a valid Washington State Driver License.
• Possess valid vehicle insurance.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external customers in a professional and positive manner.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality standards.
• Ability to learn the organizational structure, procedures, regulations and requirements of Housing Kitsap and the Property Management and Compliance programs as they relate to the functions of the position.
• Must be adept at handling multiple tasks and responsibilities; have the ability to effectively change priorities quickly and to work cooperatively and proactively with department members to accomplish goals.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of HUD, HTF, PH, USDA RD, HOME and LIHTC regulations.