Sr. Analyst, Affordable Housing Compliance

POSITION: Sr. Analyst, Affordable Housing Compliance

COMPENSATION: Pursuant to Colorado regulations, if this job is performed in Colorado, the salary range is $82,000-$92,000 plus bonus potential. Eligible to participate in the company benefits plan. We offer health, vision, dental, and pet insurance. We offer a 401(k) retirement plan, student loan assistance, licensing and continuing education reimbursement, parental leave, and housing allowances or gifts.

REPORTS TO: Director – Affordable Housing Compliance

POSITION SUMMARY

The Affordable Housing Compliance team is responsible for ensuring operational compliance with all federal, state and agency Affordable Housing regulations applicable to properties under Cardinal’s management. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring compliance with program documents, financing restrictions, LIHTC and HUD regulations federally, state affordable program requirements, bond program requirements, etc.

As the Senior Analyst, Affordable Housing Compliance, you are responsible for directly overseeing and ensuring the high performance of a team of compliance analysts in the execution of the compliance requirements applicable to operating affordable communities in assigned jurisdictions and helping operating teams adapt systems and processes to comply with all applicable requirements. This position assures full assigned-portfolio compliance with all applicable programs to maintain the organization's good standing with federal and state agencies. The Senior Analyst needs to be well versed in all of the guidelines and regulations pertaining to compliance programs, such as Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), HOME, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HUD Section 8 Voucher, Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), Section 811, etc. and consistently identify and analyze compliance issues as they arise to recommend and execute reasonable action plans to correct them. The Senior Analyst should focus on proactive measures to provide reasonable assurance of compliance with related issues through continual research.

You should be detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and remain organized in a demanding and fast-paced environment. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to build lasting professional relationships will help you excel as a Senior Analyst.

As a part of the Legal & Compliance team, all team members also contribute to developing and maintaining legal and compliance frameworks to ensure consistency and improve and maintain quality at scale across the company.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (Including but not limited to):

• Oversee a team executing timely completion of approval of all recertification and new move in files. You will be expected to provide leadership and direction to the team to ensure the delivery of high performance, acting as an enthusiastic, positive, and motivated coach, which may include directly participating and ensuring the performance of a team:
  • Providing technical support to on-site Property Managers and other staff of assigned properties in the preparation of all compliance related forms and documents.
  • Reviewing files for calculation errors, i.e., SSI, SSDI, pay stub, employment verification forms, overtime, bonuses, etc.
  • Making changes/updates to required forms such as Under/Over $5,000 asset form, Cert. of Zero Income form, etc.
  • Reviewing assets, i.e., bank accounts, retirement accounts, inheritance, real estate, etc.
  • Reviewing the recertification information from previous year to present to be sure information has not changed, i.e., household size, employment, etc.
  • Verifying during the approval process if staff has classified them with correct designation, i.e., ELI, VLI or LI.
• Oversee a team executing timely completion of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance reports. This consists of directly participating and ensuring the performance of a team compiling and delivering accurate Monthly/Quarterly/Annual compliance report information updated to relevant regulator systems, syndicators or other applicable agencies as they are due for applicable properties.
• Oversee a team executing timely compliance audits of property files and sites. That may include participating in or overseeing teams that:
  • Conduct regular onsite audits consisting of sampling tenant files to ensure compliance with program documents, financing restrictions, LIHTC requirements, HUD Regulations, PHA Regulations, and other state and local requirements.
  • Conduct regular onsite audits of move ins/outs, recertifications, lease renewals, interims, denials, waitlists, EIV requirements, reasonable accommodation policies, etc.
  • Produce and deliver regular audit summary reports to include items such as the improper application of policies, procedures and/or rules by staff members.
  • Maintain a tracking system for all files reviewed to facilitate an assessment of the overall processes.
  • Ensure files are being maintained properly, kept secure, and confidential.
• Assist the Director, Affordable Housing Compliance with departmental issues, which may include:
  • Collecting annual Utility Allowance data
  • Set up sites in PHA’s online systems
  • Complete TCSs for new lease ups or existing stabilized properties transitioning
  • Reviewing and understanding Land Use Regulatory Agreement, Land Use Restrictive Convenance and/or Extended Low-Income Housing Agreements for set-aside and program requirements for individual properties.
  • Reviewing and understanding Regulatory Agreements for specific requirements above and beyond program requirements.
  • Conducting group or one-on-one training sessions for properties with various programs including LIHTC.
  • Updating Standard Operating Procedures, property forms, and file checklists and/or reviewing federal and state regulations for possible updates to policies, procedures, and forms.
  • Compiling reporting and analysis on compliance metrics
  • Any compliance related issues escalated from the analyst team
  • Other duties or special projects assigned by the Director
• Maintain full and up to date knowledge of the rules and regulations of each compliance program. This includes:
  • Developing sufficient understanding of rules and regulations to reasonably apply them to various unique situations and exercise good judgment regarding possible courses of action.
  • Attending training on a regular basis to stay current with any program changes and/or updates.
• Manage and oversee the performance and development of a team of analysts. As a manager, you will be expected to:
  • Take full responsibility for the performance management of the team to ensure that quality and deadlines are achieved and maintained and that any issues are managed in line with Cardinal Group policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Ensure the team is appropriately staffed at all times
  • Coordinate training programs for new staff and identify training needs for current staff
  • Participate in Compliance Monitoring meetings and cascade messaging, initiatives and expectations to the team
• Travel to accommodate job duties will be necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

• CORE COMPETENCIES:
  • Demonstrated experience in Affordable Housing required, including LIHTC, HOME and HUD regulatory experience
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience required
  • Demonstrated and applied knowledge of all County, City, State, and Federal agency regulations
  • Superior organization, project management skills, and attention to detail
  • High level of commitment to quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, and compliance
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally
  • Demonstrated decision-making and problem-solving skills
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google, including intermediate to advanced working knowledge in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets
• Experience with OneSite
• PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES:
  • Provide a professional example, accuracy, and consistency in work performance.
  • Respect teammates.
  • Participates and is an active team member by assisting others.
  • Communicates in a courteous manner.
  • Have a solution rather than a complaint to resolve issues promptly.
  • Keep management informed of pertinent information.
  • Communicate openly and often.
  • Maintains the quality and integrity of the services provided by the department.
  • Supports the overall goals of the Company and that services are delivered professionally and efficiently.
  • Create an atmosphere within the organization that attains and maintains a high level of morale and embraces our Core Values
  • Embrace change without resistance and adapt quickly, however do provide feedback when necessary.
• BACKGROUND/EXPERIENCE:
  • 5+ years’ experience in the Affordable Housing Compliance field; some direct property management experience preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred: Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
  • At least one or more of the following Certifications preferred: Tax Credit Specialist, Housing Credit Certified Professional or Certified Occupancy Specialist ○ Excellent mathematical and analytical abilities.
  • Knowledge of current application of compliance programs, rules and regulations including HUD, LIHTC, TDHCA, TAA, tax exempt bond and other Affordable Housing programs.
  • A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Suite.
• Ability to embody the Cardinal Culture and Cardinal Core Values every day.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Incumbents work in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to use hands to finger, type, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms, and stoop, or squat. The Team Member is often required to sit. The Team Member must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, or maneuver office products and supplies of up to twenty (20) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

This job requires sitting or standing at a desk for long periods of time indoors. Eye and hand coordination for viewing of monitor screen and multiple reports along with high volume of keyboard use. Driving to properties for audits and attending training seminars.

Routine travel may be required to attend training classes, client visits, or other situations necessary for the accomplishment of some or all of the daily responsibilities of this position. Non-routine, overnight travel may be required to attend company functions, training, property visits, and other situations necessary for the accomplishment of special projects that may be assigned from time to time.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their Team Leader.