Compliance Specialist

LOCATION
Golden Valley, Minnesota (hybrid work option available, must be based locally)

PAY, BENEFITS, AND PERKS

Hiring Pay Range:​ $70,000 - $80,000

• Competitive benefit package, including HSA employer contribution, and starting 1^st of the month after hire 
• 401(k) Plan with employer match 
• Ten paid holidays, no waiting period to receive holiday pay
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and rollover options
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO), along with additional company sponsored volunteer opportunities
• Company paid benefits including Life Insurance, Short Term and Long Term Disability 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Educational Assistance options
• Rent discount 
• Life Time Fitness Membership discount 

The hiring pay range and list of benefits that are posted are an estimate and not designed to cover a complete listing of all aspects of the position. Reach out to Human Resources with any questions ([email protected]).

JOB SUMMARY

The Compliance Specialist is responsible for auditing and monitoring the recertification and leasing processes of site files to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including Project-Based Section 8. This role coordinates, prepares, and monitors activity for MORs and other internal and external compliance audits including results analysis, report findings review, and corrective action follow-up, and reviews recertifications, communicating required corrections to site staff. The Compliance Specialist works directly with the Compliance Manager to provide feedback and develop effective training resources and staff development that support compliance requirements, with a strong emphasis on training site staff to build consistent, audit-ready compliance practices at the property level.

Supports our employee-first culture and exemplifies our core values of relationships, development, quality, and responsibility.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Compliance Knowledge

• Stay abreast of federal, state, and local compliance-related regulations, especially those applicable to Bigos Management properties
• Stay abreast of changes in Fair Housing laws, rulings, and regulations

Compliance Relationships

• Form and maintain effective working relationships with regulatory agencies, vendors, and lenders
• Build and sustain positive and productive working relationships with corporate, operations, and property employees to support and facilitate accurate and timely application of new information, productive problem solving, and resolution to compliance challenges

Compliance Auditing and Reporting

• Reviews and responds to all submitted certification paperwork for compliance with relevant program guidelines
• Plan and conduct regular internal compliance audits, prepare finding reports, and share results with appropriate departments
• Complete regular site visit check ins to consult and assist staff with compliance issues
• Inform property staff about property inspection notifications, track inspection findings, and corrections. Report corrections as required
• Coordinate audit preparation, conduct pre-audit of files, monitor activity, and be present during all Management and Occupancy Reviews (MORs) and external compliance audits
• Complete TRACS and Gross Rent processing
• Special Claims submissions to MN Housing
• EIV 90 Day/Monthly/Quarterly Reports
• Review external audit results and distribute report findings for follow up and corrective action. Submit audit data for inclusion in analysis of compliance performance across the Affordable Portfolio
• Support timely and accurate submission of all required reporting
• Monitor record retention requirements for resident files/records to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and policies
• Assist Compliance Manager in monthly/quarterly compliance newsletter
• Assist Compliance Manager in writing/updates of compliance manual

Training & Development

• Support development and delivery of compliance-related training
• Provide feedback to the Compliance Manager and Learning & Development team to help build effective training for the affordable housing team
• Support development and delivery of new employee on-boarding
• Train Property Managers and new hires directly on compliance processes, ensuring they understand and can confidently apply program requirements in their day-to-day work
• Conduct individual trainings for staff in identified areas of consistent inadequacy
• Facilitate recurring training sessions and workshops, including all-team compliance meetings
• Gather feedback from site teams to continuously improve training content and delivery
• Support development of Rent Café uses and training of staff

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:        

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred
• Certified Occupancy Specialist Certification
• Minimum of 5 years progressive affordable, multi-family property management experience
• Minimum of 5 years of Project Based Section 8 Compliance experience required

Skills and Abilities:

• Fluent in English and proficient in oral and written communication
• Ability to review, interpret, and apply lender and government regulations covering the affordable rental housing industry with a commitment to the development of extensive program knowledge and competencies
• Ability to use tact, diplomacy and a clear, courteous manner when dealing with co-workers, vendors, and business partners
• Commitment to providing a high level of responsiveness to government agency contacts, lenders, contract administrators, and internal customers
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Data management skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Decision-making, problem solving, and time management skills
• Yardi experience preferred
• Ability to travel to sites, all located within the metropolitan area

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer; strength to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 pounds; vision to read printed material and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in-person and over the telephone.  Must be able to quickly and easily navigate the property/building as required to meet the job functions, including climbing stairs and walking the hallways and common areas.

Personal Protective Equipment: None

Work Environment: Office working conditions, corporate office (potential to become hybrid)