Leasing and Occupancy Specialist

Job Summary: The Leasing and Occupancy Specialist is responsible for maximizing occupancy by managing applicant pipelines, maintaining waiting lists, coordinating move-ins, and supporting leasing activities across the portfolio. This role works closely with Property Management and Compliance teams to ensure timely placement of qualified applicants while maintaining compliance with affordable housing program requirements, and will take the lead on marketing plans with both MOHCD and HUD, and will assist Compliance with various annual reporting requirements. Compliance-related duties should generally support, rather than replace, the specialized review and approval functions of Compliance staff.

Status: Full-time, Nonexempt

Location: San Francisco

Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; occasional evenings and weekends

Salary: $29.00 - $31.00 per hour; Comprehensive benefit

Schedule: Weekly Schedule. Onsite

The Organization: A private non-profit founded in 1977, Chinatown Community Development Center believes in a comprehensive vision of community. We own and/or manage approximately 30 affordable housing buildings serving over 3,800 low-income seniors, single adults, formerly homeless adults, and families of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Tenderloin, Western Addition, and Polk Gulch neighborhoods. We also build housing, develop grassroots leadership, and engage low-income residents and youth. Our employees are passionate about the mission; thrive in a family organizational culture; and embody values of empowerment, teamwork, and compassion. Chinatown CDC serves a diverse population and is committed to hiring practices that provide culturally competent services. We encourage people of color to apply.

General Job Responsibilities:

• Marketing, Leasing, and Occupancy Management:
  • Working with Compliance Specialists and Property Management, develop and implement marketing plans, including creating advertisements and outreach strategies to attract qualified applicants.
  • As necessary, conduct property tours and show units to prospective residents.
  • Maintain, monitor, and actively work viable waitlists of qualified prospective residents and internal transfer lists to minimize vacancy loss.
  • Conduct phone and on-site interviews with applicants; schedule and conduct initial and follow-up interviews; and move qualified applicants through the pipeline in a timely manner.
  • Approve move-in files prior to third party or manager reviews and approval
  • Collaborate with the maintenance team to support timely unit readiness and resolution of service requests for new move-ins.
• Resident Relations:
  • Provide exceptional customer service, addressing resident requests and concerns promptly.
  • Assist residents with the move-in process, including unit inspections.
  • Communicate lease and community policies to new and current residents.
• Occupancy and Compliance Support:
  • Maintain accurate wait and transfer lists, including sending appropriate notices to applicants to add, update, or remove them as necessary.
  • Coordinate recertification appointments and documentation collection in partnership with Property Management and Compliance to support timely completion before required deadlines.
  • Support the distribution of recertification notices, including 120-day notices, and follow up with residents who fail to respond promptly.
  • Review and monitor recertification schedules in Yardi on a monthly basis and escalate timing concerns to Property Management and Compliance.
  • Perform applicant interviews and support adherence to NAU (Next Available Unit) procedures during the leasing process.
  • Collect and organize income and eligibility documentation for review, helping ensure files are complete and compliant with HUD, LIHTC, or other applicable affordable housing requirements.
  • Assist the Property Manager and Compliance team with onboarding or process guidance related to leasing, waitlists, applicant intake, and documentation collection.
• Property Compliance Support:
  • Process initial, interim, and annual certification documentation by collecting, organizing, and entering required information for review by Compliance staff.
  • Timely calculation/Correction of retroactive lease charges
  • Maintain leasing and marketing reports and assist with preparation of agency reporting materials as assigned, including DAHLIA marketing plans via MOHCD and AFHMP’s with HUD.
• Administrative Support:
  • Maintain accurate records in Yardi.
  • Prepare and submit leasing, occupancy, and compliance-support reports for management review.
• General Operations:
  • Support site and office operations as assigned by the manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Ability to troubleshoot and prioritize work
• Capacity to work independently and exercise own judgment
• Knowledge of OSHA and CAL/OSHA and other safety and health code violations
• Knowledge of all applicable building codes and ability to recognize building code violations
• Basic computer skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Flexibility to adjust to changing situations and work conditions
• Ability to work with people of diverse economic, social and ethnic backgrounds
• Good verbal and written communication skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Further education in real estate or property management is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience in accounting, administrative support, clerical or equivalent work or study

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of relevant property management, leasing, occupancy, or affordable housing experience.
• Knowledge of HUD Section 8, LIHTC, and/or other affordable housing programs preferred; direct affordable housing compliance experience strongly preferred. Candidates expected to handle advanced compliance tasks.
• Familiarity with MOHCD and DAHLIA processes and regulations.
• Possession of COS, TCS, or BOS credentials, or willingness to obtain them within six months of hire (training provided).
• Proficiency in property management software such as Yardi Voyager.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time-management abilities, especially in managing applicant pipelines, waitlists, deadlines, and documentation, including data entry.
• Ability to handle pressure and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Attributes:

• A team player with a positive attitude.
• Motivated self-starter who thrives on completing goals.
• Strong commitment to resident satisfaction, occupancy goals, and community success

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race (includes hairstyle and hair texture), color, religion (includes dress and grooming practices), age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition and reproductive health decision making), national origin (includes language restrictions), ancestry, citizenship, disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristic), genetic information or characteristic, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or participation in an EEO protected activity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

SAN FRANCISCO FAIR CHANCE ORDINANCE
All final candidates will undergo a background check. For certain positions this will include a fingerprint check. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.