Jr. Loan Officer

OUR CULTURE

Fountain is passionate about creating exceptional client experiences and a strong company culture. We provide home loans with personalized service and believe home is the starting point for love, hope and dreams. Our team serves clients and one another with integrity, honesty and transparency while pursuing high standards, meaningful connection and a little fun along the way. At Fountain Mortgage, we believe in the relentless pursuit of home.

OVERVIEW

The Jr. Loan Officer (Jr. LO) is a licensed origination-support role designed to expand the production capacity of one or more Senior Loan Officers. The Jr. LO provides pre-approval analysis, financing and program research, pricing and scenario support, and delegated origination activity at the direction of the Sr. Loan Officer. When origination demand allows, the Jr. LO focuses available capacity on proactive revenue-producing activity such as database outreach, mortgage reviews, refinance prospecting, lead follow-up, and referral-partner reconnection. The Jr. LO does not serve as an LOA and does not own routine pre-approval setup, document collection, post-contract pre-processing, or file-preparation responsibilities.

MAJOR Responsibilities

Lead, Application & Pre-Approval Management

• Contact and follow up with assigned borrower leads and opportunities in a timely and professional manner.
• Conduct mortgage consultations and complete or review loan applications when specifically directed by the Sr. Loan Officer.
• Review application data and loan information prepared through the initial pre-approval setup and identify items requiring additional analysis or clarification.
• Assist with borrower documentation needs for pre-approval when requested; routine document requesting and collection is owned by the LOA.
• Review and analyze borrower income, assets, liabilities, and credit to determine qualifying eligibility and support the pre-approval decision.
• Run and review AUS findings and identify applicable documentation, program, or guideline requirements.
• Complete pre-approval analysis, research applicable financing programs and guidelines, and prepare or communicate pre-approval decisions and letters within company procedures and delegated authority.

Financing, Pricing & Scenario Support

• Prepare payment scenarios, cost estimates, pricing comparisons, and financing options at the direction of the Sr. Loan Officer or as part of delegated origination responsibilities.
• Research Conventional, FHA, VA, agency, investor, and program guidelines as needed.
• Research investor overlays and unique financing scenarios and escalate complex questions when appropriate.
• Communicate rates, pricing, payment scenarios, loan products, and financing information within the scope of applicable licensing and company requirements.
• Partner with the Sr. Loan Officer on financing strategy while following company pricing and approval requirements.

Delegated Origination & Borrower Communication

• Perform origination activities as directed by the Sr. Loan Officer, including the ability to manage a borrower from initial lead contact through pre-approval when delegated.
• Serve as a borrower-facing originator and provide clear, timely communication throughout the assigned portion of the mortgage process.
• Follow up with pre-approved borrowers and maintain engagement through their home search or refinance decision.
• Coordinate with the Sr. Loan Officer regarding borrower strategy, relationship considerations, and opportunities requiring Sr. Loan Officer involvement.
• Maintain detailed and accurate notes regarding borrower communication and origination activity in company systems.

Database, Lead & Referral Partner Development

• Use available capacity for proactive revenue-producing activity rather than routine LOA or file-preparation work.
• Contact past clients and database opportunities for mortgage reviews, refinance opportunities, and other financing needs.
• Reconnect with inactive or former referral partners as directed by the Sr. Loan Officer.
• Follow up with assigned leads, opportunities, and business-development campaigns.
• Identify opportunities for Sr. Loan Officer follow-up and maintain accurate CRM activity and notes.
• Support other approved prospecting and relationship-development activities designed to increase production.

Post-Contract Handoff & Team Collaboration

• Provide a complete and organized handoff to the assigned LOA or Loan Partner once a borrower is under contract or otherwise reaches the company's operational handoff point.
• Continue supporting the borrower relationship and origination-related communication after handoff when directed by the Sr. Loan Officer.
• Do not assume routine LOA pre-processing, disclosure, file-organization, processing-assistance, or closing-coordination responsibilities solely because origination workload is temporarily lighter.
• Work collaboratively with Sr. Loan Officers, LOAs, Loan Partners, Processing, Underwriting, Closing, and Operations to ensure a seamless client experience.

Work Direction & Capacity Management

• The Sr. Loan Officer directs how Jr. LO capacity is deployed within the responsibilities and boundaries of this job description.
• When supporting multiple Sr. Loan Officers, manage competing priorities professionally and communicate capacity concerns promptly.
• Report organizationally to the Sales Execution Manager and escalate workload, prioritization, or over-capacity concerns when assignments cannot reasonably be completed within expected service standards.
• Maintain flexibility in supporting different Sr. Loan Officer origination styles while consistently meeting Fountain Mortgage standards.

MUST HAVE Requirements

• Licensing: Maintain required mortgage loan originator licensing and all applicable continuing education and company requirements.
• Mortgage Origination Knowledge: Working knowledge of the residential mortgage origination process, loan terminology, borrower consultation, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Program Knowledge: Working knowledge of Conventional, FHA, and VA financing and the ability to research mortgage guidelines as needed.
• Pre-Approval Skills: Ability to analyze income, assets, liabilities, credit, AUS findings, and documentation to support accurate pre-approval decisions.
• Pricing & Scenario Skills: Ability to prepare and explain pricing, payment scenarios, cost estimates, and financing comparisons accurately.
• Sales & Communication Skills: Comfortable initiating borrower, past-client, lead, and referral-partner conversations and communicating mortgage concepts professionally.
• Organization & Time Management: Ability to prioritize leads, active borrowers, pre-approvals, prospecting activity, and assignments from one or more Sr. Loan Officers.
• Technology Proficiency: Ability to use Encompass, CRM/Surefire, pricing tools, and other mortgage technology required for origination activity.
• Initiative & Accountability: Proactive approach to follow-up, prospecting, pipeline ownership, and identifying opportunities for Sr. Loan Officer involvement.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to accept direction from Sr. Loan Officers while communicating workload and capacity concerns appropriately to management.

NICE-TO-HAVE Requirements

• One (1) or more years of mortgage origination, Loan Officer Assistant, loan consultation, or similar mortgage sales experience.
• Experience conducting borrower consultations and managing a borrower from lead through pre-approval.
• Experience using Encompass, Surefire, nCino, pricing engines, and related mortgage technology.
• Experience with database outreach, mortgage reviews, refinance prospecting, lead conversion, or referral-partner development.
• Experience with Non-QM, Brokered loans, and Bond/DPA programs.
• Strong experience with complex income analysis and guideline research.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with borrowers, referral partners, and internal team members.
• Desire to grow origination skills and potentially advance into a full Loan Officer role.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an office environment, while sitting, standing, walking, typing and speaking.

Security Responsibilities

• Operate in alignment with all company security policies, procedures, and regulatory standards to ensure confidentiality and integrity of data.
• Complete all assigned security and compliance trainings (e.g., BAI modules) within designated timeframes.
• Protect sensitive borrower and company data, including secure handling, storage, and transmission of loan documents and audit materials.
• Limit access to confidential information to only those with a legitimate business need, in accordance with the principle of least privilege.
• Report any suspected security incidents or breaches immediately to the appropriate internal contact or security officer.
• Maintain vigilance in preventing unauthorized access, including secure login practices and safeguarding of credentials.