Leasing Consultant, Windham Heights Apartments

Leasing Consultant

Be a part of the best team in Property Management!

Vesta Management is seeking to hire an experienced, customer service focused, results driven Leasing Consultant to support leasing efforts at Windham Heights Apartments in Willimantic, CT. If you have a proven track record of leasing apartments, experience with affordable housing programs such as LIHTC and Section 8, and a drive to achieve results, we want to hear from you!

What We Offer:

At Vesta, we take pride in hiring the best talent in Property Management. We work hard and we have fun doing so. In addition to our generous benefits package, we offer service awards, performance bonuses, team member appreciation events and opportunities for growth. Our benefits include:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• Company matched 401(K)
• Paid time off- Vacation, sick, floating holidays
• 12 additional paid holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• PetPlan Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance
• AND MORE

The Leasing Consultant is responsible for all activities related to achieving maximum occupancy at the property, to include generating and handling telephone and on-site traffic, showing "ready" apartments, closing the lease, qualifying prospects, completing all related paperwork and activities to ensure a timely move-in as well as conducting the move-in. Leasing Consultants provide high-quality prospect and resident service.

Essential Functions:

• Fosters a positive, active and collaborative relationship with residents, communities, and associated agencies.
• Responsible for keeping reception area clean with professional surroundings.
• Assist management with administrative detail with all projects, phones, faxes, filing, typing, mailings, and rental payment processing. Maintain accurate record of all resident transactions issuing resident receipts as necessary.
• Answer and direct incoming calls to the appropriate team member. When the appropriate team member is unavailable, ensure proper follow up.
• Listen and address resident concerns/requests timely, to ensure resident satisfaction or if their requests are unreasonable, ensure they receive a response regarding our action/inaction.
• Greet, introduce, welcome and convey benefits of the property to prospective residents and visitors.
• Interview prospective residents and assess their needs and qualifications. This should include securing a completed welcome card and/or application from the prospective resident. Enter prospective resident information into the property data system.
• Schedule application intakes, interviews, processing and preparation of applications, and their distribution.
• Accompany prospective residents to apartments, discuss size and layout, terms of lease, and available facilities, i.e., swimming pool, laundry, shopping centers, services available.
• Qualify prospective residents, based on property program requirements and the tenant selection plan.
• May be expected to calculate rent, based on property program/procedures or rent schedule.
• Complete appropriate lease forms/documents and collect reservation deposit (if applicable), security deposit, and initial or prorated rent.
• Handle marketing outreach to include interacting with neighborhood groups, local employers, community organizations and any other sources of prospecting and lead generation with a focus on converting leads into rentals.
• Conduct marketing surveys and regularly review traffic reports, share trends with Property Manager.
• Assist with and attend resident retention initiatives (i.e., resident functions, promotions, monthly newsletters, etc.).
• Assist with property-issued communications/notices (i.e., bad weather, emergency, etc.).
• Gather, prepare, and execute lease renewals, and intake and prepare for processing interim recertification, annual recertification and other documentation as required by local, state and federal agencies. Secure all required applicant and resident signatures, for administrative processes.
• Maintain documentation and filing procedures and systems in accordance with Vesta's SOP.
• Process information in property management software regularly, i.e.., work orders, certifications, deposits and all pertinent resident documentation.
• Prior to showing an apartment, a model, or any aspect or amenity of the community, ensure that it meets Vesta quality standards and expectations.
• Report any maintenance or physical property needs to the Property Manager and/or Maintenance personnel.
• Input work order and service requests, in property data system, and communicate to maintenance.
• Assist in the achievement of property financial goals.
• Consistently maintain property rules and regulations in accordance with property-based programs, Vesta's SOP as well as all state, federal and/or local laws.
• Preserves and respects resident, applicant, employee and company confidentiality.
• Develop and maintain linkages with area resources regarding information and services available to address residents' needs.
• Promote a positive social climate that fosters residents' well-being.
• Develop relationships with area third party providers available to address the social and recreational needs of the community. Organize events and on-site programming, provided by third-party providers, for residents.
• Maintain information on relevant referral resources i.e. accessing rent/utility assistance, housekeeping, and local supportive service providers in assisting residents to obtain income through employment, SSI or SSD, etc.
• Coordinate quarterly special events at all properties.
• Identify leaders among residents to volunteer and/or lead social and recreational functions in the community. Encourage volunteerism and resident participation in events.
• Document contact with residents, providers, and families. Keep resident files current.
• Prepare and circulate statistics from a variety of sources for financial, legal and administrative requirements.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills; strong verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently; self-motivated, takes initiative.
• Able to multitask and prioritize efficiently.
• Ability to determine varying nature of calls/issues and identify the priority level.
• Accepts responsibility and accountability.
• Honest and trustworthy; displays integrity.
• Professional, in appearance and action.
• Shows adaptability.
• Organized and detailed.
• Basic math proficiency required.

Requirements:

Required Education and Experience:

• HS diploma or equivalent, plus 2 years of related experience.
• Experience in a property management or apartment community and/or with affordable housing programs strongly preferred.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Ability to use and communicate through email required.
• Previous customer service experience
• Strong computer skills; including MS Office suite, Outlook, and property management software.
• Successful completion of a background check and drug screening required.
• Valid Driver's License and clean driving record required.

Vesta is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Vesta has an ongoing commitment to a diverse workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Vesta recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals in all job titles without regard to any protected characteristic, including but not limited to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, age, sex, physical or mental disability, being a disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran, or any other protected category under any state or Federal laws. At Vesta, we are committed to a fair and equitable workplace.