Compliance Specialist

Who We Are

Redwood Communities, Inc. (“Redwood Communities”), an affiliate of Redwood Housing, is a multifamily property management organization that manages affordable housing communities throughout the country. To date, Redwood Communities has assembled a best-in-class team that currently manages a growing portfolio of properties and has built strong working relationships with government agencies and leading non-profit organizations to raise the standard of living for our communities.

Benefits

• Exceptional medical benefits: We cover more than 90% of medical premiums, and employees have the option of a 100% employer-paid HSA medical plan.
• 100% company paid dental and vision benefits for employee coverage.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D
• Best-in-class voluntary insurance benefits.
• Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) programs with a company match equal to 100% of the first 6% contributed by the employee.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) with 24/7 counseling services.
• 3 weeks of paid time off each year.
• 12 paid holidays each year & 2 floating holidays.

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Pay Details: $30-$33/hour

Location: Based in Washington State

Travel:  This position requires up to 50% travel, primarily to properties throughout the greater Seattle–Tacoma area, with additional travel to other Washington locations, including Port Townsend and Longview. Occasional travel to Spokane and other locations nationwide may also be required.

Due to the geographic locations of assigned properties and the need for regular travel between sites, employees must possess a valid driver's license, have access to a reliable personal vehicle for business travel, and meet the Company's driving requirements. Business-related mileage and approved travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Company policy and applicable law.

About the Position

This position supports the Regional Compliance Manager by managing the day-to-day workflow of file reviews and ensuring timely, accurate processing across all assigned properties. This position provides essential assistance to site Teams by providing clarification on eligibility rules, required documentation, and program-specific compliance requirements. The Compliance Specialist plays a key role in maintaining timely review turnaround, documentation integrity, and overall compliance accuracy for the Department. Reporting to the Regional Compliance Manager, this role is ideal for someone who has experience preparing HUD and LIHTC certifications, understands how to calculate income, assets, and allowable expenses, is skilled at reviewing supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy, communicates clearly and professionally with site Teams and can manage documentation deadlines. This individual must be able to function effectively in a dynamic environment with little supervision and be passionate about joining a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct routine file reviews, with primary focus on annual and interim recertifications, while also assisting with move-in, interim recertification and unit transfer file reviews as needed. 
• Track and verify that the complete recertification files are uploaded promptly to Onesite, ensuring a digital copy of all recertifications is maintained for compliance and record keeping purposes.
• Generate and review assigned portions of EIV and LIHTC reports, ensuring site Teams complete required documentation accurately and completely, in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Monitor deadlines for annual recertifications, including the required notices.
• Support site staff by providing clarification and guidance on eligibility, income/asset/expense calculations, and required forms and documentation.
• Assist in site training efforts as directed by Supervisor(s), reinforcing compliance policies, file standards, and program rules.
• Support the Senior Compliance Specialist in preparing and reviewing resident eligibility files for external audits conducted by funders, state agencies, investors, and other monitoring entities.
• Contribute to and participate as a member of the Property Management team to troubleshoot problems as they arise and suggest/initiate procedural changes as needed.
• Compile and assist supervisor to distribute data monthly to property owners, site staff, syndicators, state housing entities, reviewing agencies, etc. Review all data for accuracy and any noncompliance issues.
• Be able to assist in preparing for annual management reviews conducted by state housing agency representatives, designated owner representatives and compliance monitoring agencies.
• Be able to assist in in-house file audits (onsite or remote), documenting discrepancies or inconsistencies in applying policy and/or regulations. Explain discrepancies and/or inconsistencies to staff. Direct site staff on how discrepancies can be corrected within policy guidelines.
• Assist with initial lease-up of Housing Credit communities by reviewing applications, determining eligibility of household and ensuring that all required documentation is provided and placed in file prior to a household moving in.
• Maintain a good working knowledge of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit rules, project-based and tenant-based Section 8 federal regulations including HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1, CHG-4; HUD Handbook 4350.1; HUD's Rent and Income Determination Quality Control Monitoring Guide; form HUD-9834 Management Review for Multifamily Housing Projects; HUD Housing Notices, in particular the current Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) Notice; HUD Memos; and HUD Listserv announcements.

• 2 years prior affordable housing occupancy compliance experience that demonstrates knowledge of initial and annual certification process, including calculating household income for eligibility, and knowledge of annual funder reporting.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Proficient in compliance activities required by Section 42 Tax Credits, HUD and public funding, with the following certifications: Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), Spectrum Certified Credit Compliance Professional (C3P), or equivalent…may obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Familiarity with EIV policies and procedures.
• Experience in RealPage OneSite software preferred.
• Flexibility to travel to different locations as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and insurance.
• Successful completion of background check.
• Must be legally qualified to work in the U.S. meeting I-9 guidelines

Redwood Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.