Compliance Specialist

Job Description
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Housing Management, the Compliance Specialist is the Agency's working compliance authority across both the Property Management portfolio and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Division. The position performs the full range of compliance work directly — income and eligibility certifications, file reviews, agency and lender audits, move-in and move-out processing, and the day-to-day monitoring of regulatory agreements — and it is simultaneously accountable for the systems around that work: identifying when policy, procedure or training is failing to produce compliant outcomes, and developing the corrective changes that get staff back into compliance. This is a role that pairs depth of execution with a mandate to fix causes rather than symptoms. The Specialist is expected to know the regulations well enough to complete the work personally, and to be senior enough to recognize when a recurring error is a process defect and to draft the procedure, form, checklist or training module that eliminates it. Work is performed independently, with the Specialist setting audit calendars, issuing written findings, and recommending changes to Agency policy for approval by the Director of Housing Management. Property Management Compliance Process income certifications and re-certifications for multiple affordable housing programs — HUD Project-Based Section 8, Housing Choice Voucher, LIHTC/CTCAC, HUD Multi-Family, HOME, Homekey, HCD MHP, Bond and local inclusionary/regulatory agreement units — and update the Yardi database accordingly. Review and approve all move-in applicant files to confirm eligibility with the applicable affordable housing program for the specific community within the portfolio. Review and approve annual and interim income re-certifications as mandated by each program (HOME, LIHTC, HCD, HUD and others). Complete tenant move-ins and move-outs in compliance with Agency procedures and funding-source requirements. Ensure 100% file compliance at move-in, and that all regulatory requirements — re-certifications, interim re-certifications, supporting documentation and termination documentation — are followed, monitored and completed through move-out. Ensure compliance with income limits, maximum allowable rents and utility allowance schedules imposed by funding sources and Regulatory Agreements, and update those schedules as annual published changes take effect. Coordinate responses to audit requests from regulatory agencies and affordable lenders — LIHTC, HUD Multi-Family, HUD Public & Indian Housing, HOME, REAC and other agencies and investors — including file inspections and physical inspections. Conduct annual property compliance audits and site visits to review resident files; standardize pending and re-certification file practices across properties. Follow up with sites on audit findings to confirm corrections have been completed, and maintain a log of files audited and pending audit. Develop the Agency compliance calendar and audit calendar by reviewing inspection schedules published by TCAC and other regulatory agencies, and prepare properties for upcoming audits accordingly. Housing Choice Voucher Division Compliance Apply HUD HCV regulations, the Agency Administrative Plan and applicable HUD notices to eligibility determinations, annual and interim re-examinations, and voucher issuance and briefing processes. Perform eligibility certifications for inclusionary housing programs throughout the County, and for special purposes and set-aside vouchers, including VASH and FUP vouchers where assigned. Verify and monitor participant and tenant files for the Housing Choice Voucher Division, ensuring documentation substantiates program criteria and eligibility. Serve as Compliance Officer for the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system, monitoring user access, ensuring staff meet cyber awareness and recertification requirements, and auditing EIV use for compliance. Monitor compliance with Project-Based Voucher HAP agreements, including the provision of resident services by the property owner. Assist with updates to the Administrative Plan and monitor Division compliance with the approved Plan. Coordinate and respond to audit requests from HUD Public & Indian Housing, HOME, REAC and other regulatory agencies, including file inspection and physical inspection. Prepare for and attend affordable, HUD, HOME and LIHTC audits performed by state and regulatory agencies. Training and Staff Development Train new property management and HCV staff on compliance policy and procedures, and certify readiness before staff work independently on certifications. Deliver periodic training updates to all staff as regulatory changes are made, and convert frequently asked questions and audit findings into durable training content. Maintain the Yardi database and ensure staff are trained on current Yardi procedures and updates. Field inquirie