Community Support Specialist

General Description

Under direction of the Assistant Vice President(s), with close interaction with the Regional Manager(s) in the assigned region(s), the Community Support Specialist is responsible for the training and project support of property management site personnel.

• Full-Time
• Exempt
• 40 Hours per Week
• 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Travel required, 100%

• This position is not fully remote. Candidates must reside in Columbia, MD or within commuting distance to support required in-person site visits and maintain a regional presence. While some remote work is permitted, regular travel within the region is an essential function of the role. The Columbia, MD office will serve as your base office, with weekly travel as needed to your assigned portfolio of communities and apartments.

• Provide overall assistance to Community Managers and Regional Managers at the direction of the AVP for those who have heavy workloads, special projects, or are out on PTO.
• Performing all duties as part of the role of a Community Manager.
• Conduct Site Compliance Audits on behalf of the VP to ensure compliance with all regulatory programs.
• Communicate with residents and applicants as needed.
• Complete resident income certifications as required.
• Assist Community Managers with preparations for MOR and agency inspections.
• Organize or add data to files, software, etc.
• Research and correct site issues as directed.
• Assist Community Managers with Rent Ups, Lease-Ups, or projects with major renovations to ensure complete implementation and compliance with housing program requirements and directives as appropriate.
• Assist Community Managers with property marketing and outreach efforts.
• Conduct market studies and competition analysis as required.
• Will provide training and coaching to administrative staff as needed.
• Special projects as assigned.
• Frequent weekly local travel required and an occasional overnight stay when needed.
• Other related community-support job duties as assigned.
• Physical attendance at assigned work location(s) during scheduled hours is essential.

• Minimum 3+ years apartment rental/housing management experience required, preferably in affordable housing industry.
• Minimum 1+ years’ compliance experience with Low Income Tax Credit (LIHTC), HUD – Section 8, HOME, and other compliance knowledge needed.
• Prior experience with recertifications desired.
• Experience with lease-ups preferred.
• Minimum 1-2+ years team supervision experience including coaching, training and performance management skills desired.
• Yardi Voyager experience desired or other accounting or housing software programs a plus.
• Excellent, demonstrated customer service skills and experience to interact with all levels of fellow employees, residents, visitors, community representatives, housing authority representatives, others.
• Bilingual (Spanish) helpful.
• Strong MS Office suite skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required.
• Prior experience with financial & accounting matters with understanding of payables, receivables.
• Ability to keep accurate records and meet all required reporting deadlines.
• Experience in collaboratively resolving resident, employee, vendor and financial problems preferred.
• Flexibility/ability to travel up to 35% locally and up to 60% overnight on a weekly basis as needed or assigned.

• Minimum High School / GED Equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, preferred. Minimum Associates degree with equivalent experience desired.
• TCS, COS, other Housing industry certifications strongly preferred or willing to obtain.

• Ability to communicate effectively – demonstrated strong verbal and oral communication skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills – good listening skills; to collaborate, understand and work with employees, residents and prospective residents alike.
• Resourceful – able to make decisions with appropriate guidance when needed.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Flexible, adaptable, with ability to multi-task and juggle several projects at one time.
• Excellent business professionalism, business judgment, common sense for handling day-to-day matters.
• Ability to negotiate…