Compliance Specialist

Somerset Pacific | Full-Time | In-Office Position Description Why Work with Somerset Pacific? At Somerset Pacific, we believe in supporting the people who support our communities. As a member of our team, you’ll enjoy competitive benefits, including employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability; an employer-matched retirement plan; and generous PTO. More importantly, you’ll be part of a mission-driven company dedicated to providing safe, quality, and affordable housing across the country. We value integrity, teamwork, growth, and a people-first approach—and we invest in our employees with ongoing training, support, and opportunities to advance. About the Role Somerset Pacific is seeking a knowledgeable, detail-oriented Compliance Specialist to join our corporate team! In this full-time, in-office position, you will play an important role in ensuring our affordable housing communities remain compliant with federal, state, and program-specific housing regulations. The Compliance Specialist is responsible for independently reviewing, approving, and processing resident certification files across our affordable housing portfolio, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Project-Based HUD Section 8, HOME, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs. The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, confident in interpreting affordable housing regulations, and comfortable working independently while collaborating with Property Managers and our corporate Compliance Department. What You’ll Do Independently review, approve, or request corrections to initial resident certifications, annual recertifications, interim recertifications, and other required compliance documentation. Verify household eligibility, including income, assets, household composition, deductions, student status, and supporting documentation. Review and validate income calculations, rent limits, utility allowances, and other program-specific requirements. Ensure compliance with LIHTC (Section 42), HUD Section 8, HOME, PSH, HOTMA, Fair Housing, and applicable state housing agency regulations. Review certification files for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable funding requirements. Identify discrepancies, missing documentation, and potential compliance concerns, communicating necessary corrections to Property Managers. Work closely with onsite management teams to provide guidance, answer compliance-related questions, and ensure timely completion of certification files. Maintain accurate compliance records, monitor outstanding certifications, and track deadlines and corrective actions. Assist with internal file audits, quality control reviews, and preparation for regulatory agency inspections and monitoring. Identify recurring compliance issues and communicate findings or complex regulatory concerns to the Director of Compliance. Maintain confidentiality of resident information and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory standards. Perform additional compliance-related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications: Minimum of 2 years of experience in affordable housing compliance, tenant certification review, or a closely related field. Equivalent combinations of specialized training, professional certifications, and relevant experience may be considered. Working knowledge of LIHTC, Project-Based HUD Section 8, HOME, and Permanent Supportive Housing compliance requirements. Experience reviewing resident certification files, verifying eligibility, and calculating household income and assets. Ability to independently identify compliance deficiencies, interpret program regulations, and make accurate certification decisions. Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines. Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work professionally with onsite teams and corporate leadership. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and the ability to learn and navigate property management and compliance software. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive resident information. Preferred Qualifications: Previous experience independently reviewing and providing final approval of affordable housing tenant certifications. Experience with properties operating under multiple or layered affordable housing programs. Familiarity with Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) requirements. Experience using affordable housing compliance or property management software. Industry-recognized affordable housing certifications, such as: Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) Blended Occupancy Specialist (BOS) Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) The Ideal Candidate: We're looking for someone who takes pride in accuracy, understands the importance of regulatory compliance, and enjoys being part of a collaborative team. You should be comfortable making independent decisions, managing competing priorities, and providing helpful, professional guidance to Property Managers. What We Offer At Somerset Pacific, we recognize that our employees are essential to our success. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. 90% employer-paid Medical and Dental insurance 100% employer-paid Vision, Life Insurance, and Short-Term Disability Employer-sponsored retirement plan with a 4% match Paid Time Off beginning at 13 days annually , plus additional paid holidays Opportunities for ongoing training, professional development, and career growth Supportive, mission-driven company culture focused on teamwork, integrity, and employee success Join the Somerset Pacific Team! At Somerset Pacific, your work helps ensure that individuals and families have access to safe, quality, and affordable housing while supporting the communities we proudly serve. Somerset Pacific is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants. #J-18808-Ljbffr Somerset Pacific