Property Certification Specialist

Description

Christopher Community, Inc. (CCI) seeks a Full Time Property Certification Specialist to join its growing organization! The physical work location for this position will be to support the Mount St. James Property located in Syracuse, NY 

CCINC is a not-for-profit Housing Development and Property Management company that assist low- and moderate-income families and seniors to secure suitable housing across Upstate New York. Christopher Community currently manages over 3,300 units of housing in more than 100 buildings, and administers the Rental Assistance Program in Onondaga County, which provides assistance to over 1,200 households. Since 1971, Christopher Community has maintained a proven track record in developing and operating affordable housing. We regularly receive very high ratings both from government and private entities for the way we manage our properties.

We offer competitive wages and generous benefits. Please see below for additional information: 

Benefit Summary:

• Full Time Position
• 35 hours work week with flexible schedule
• 21 Paid Time Off (PTO) - Vacation, Personal & Sick Days (30 PTO days after 1st Year)
• 13 Paid Holidays (including 2 floating holidays)
• Up to 6% retirement match in 403(b) retirement plan
• Company contribution to Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance (*** CCI offers a $0 out of pocket cost health insurance plan for in network coverage beyond employee paid premium with employees not paying copays or having coinsurance ***)
• Hiring Hourly Rate is: $22.00 to $25.00 per hour
• Additional opportunities for performance related incentives available throughout each fiscal year.

Requirements

The Property Certification Specialist will report directly to the Regional Property Manager to ensure compliance with Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations for affordable housing programs. This position focuses on resident certifications, recertifications, income and asset verifications, and rent calculations. The role requires strong attention to detail, communication, and analytical skills, with a comprehensive understanding of HUD and Section 8 requirements. An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Review resident eligibility and verifying income and assets.
• Conduct and manage all annual, interim, and initial resident certifications in accordance with HUD guidelines.
• Calculate tenant rent and housing assistance payments in compliance with HUD regulations and program rules.
• Generate and interpret Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) reports and resolve discrepancies when necessary
• Process Enterprise Income Verification System (EIV) reports in a timely manner for tenant files, move-in files and 90-Days after move-ins and ensure accurate TRACS transmissions.
• Process and submitting HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) vouchers accurately and timely.
• Respond to residents and agency inquiries regarding certification and eligibility matters.
• Assist in preparing for and participating in audits, MOR and REAC inspections.
• Maintain thorough and organized physical and electronic resident files.
• Maintain certification tracking and deadlines to ensure no lapse in compliance.
• Stay updated on relevant HUD regulations, including those related to EIV, PRAC, HOTMA, etc. 
• Required to support the Property Manager and may fill in during their absence.
• Comply with anti-discrimination laws regarding housing, renting and advertising.
• Provide exceptional customer service and support to residents and colleagues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Three-five years of experience in property management and affordable housing programs (HUD, PRAC, Section 8, etc.).
• Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) certification is a plus 
• Proficiency in relevant Property Management software including experience with RealPage/OneSite and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with residents, staff, and regulatory bodies.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities essential for accurate record-keeping and managing complex processes.
• Excellent time management and communication skills are necessary.
• Travel up to 20% of the time to properties to provide on-site certification and HUD compliance support.
• Must have a valid Class D driver’s license 

ADDITIONAL SKILLS: 

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence, understand work orders and fill out completed spreadsheets.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, vendors, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Compute areas and volumes necessary for project budgeting.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in flexible situations that may call for various solutions.
• Ability to delegate tasks to specialized vendors if required and deliver quality workmanship in an efficient timeframe.