National Operations Underwriting Specialist

SPM; National (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Full benefits: medical, dental, vision

401k, pet insurance and PTO

HSA and FSA plans

Upward mobility & training

35+ years in business

Job summary

Sierra Pacific Mortgage is seeking a National Operations Underwriting Specialist to provide expert underwriting support across lending operations. The role requires deep knowledge of mortgage guidelines and strong experience with AUS/DU and LPA platforms.

The position involves reviewing complex loan scenarios, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating on policy and training to improve underwriting processes. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 5 years mortgage industry experience required.
• Underwriting experience required; FHA DE and VA LAPP/SAR certifications preferred.
• Knowledge of FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, VA, and USDA guidelines.
• Able to read and interpret promissory notes and regulatory documents.
• Able to interpret a variety of technical instructions.
• Able to apply basic mortgage math calculations.
• Basic computer skills and mortgage software experience, including AUS, DU and LPA.

Responsibilities

• Provide complex support to the National Operations Team and lending activities.
• Troubleshoot questions from personnel, investors, vendors, and audits.
• Daily review of underwriting-related service requests.
• Monitor VA appraisals and FEMA updates in AllRegs.
• Review post-closing issues including resubmissions for LPA.
• Understand loan programs, guidelines and lending requirements.
• Consult on viable loan alternatives; evaluate complex loan scenarios and risk.
• Provide corporate review/signature on loans over $1,000,000.
• Review exception requests and post-close QC findings.
• Collaborate on policy development and training to address findings.
• Prepare responses to investor and agency audits; create job aids and worksheets.

Skills

Mortgage industry experience

Underwriting experience

FHA DE certification

VA LAPP/SAR certification

FNMA guidelines

FHLMC guidelines

FHA guidelines

VA guidelines

USDA guidelines

Document interpretation

Technical instruction interpretation

Mortgage math

AUS/DU

AUS DU/LPA

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

AUS

DU

LPA

Job description

NATIONAL OPERATIONS UNDERWRITING SPECIALIST

WHY CHOOSE US?

At Sierra Pacific Mortgage we believe any successful business or individual is built upon a solid foundation – for us, we refer to it as ONE Sierra. Within our organization, we've been very intentional about defining our pillars and holding ourselves accountable to living these principles every minute of every day.

These pillars inform every action we take with each other, our business partners, and our customers. When you join our team, you'll immediately recognize that these values set the tone and tenor for our entire company culture.

Since its inception in 1986, Sierra Pacific Mortgage has been built upon the foundation of quality lending practices, unparalleled service, industry knowledge and unmatched integrity. Dedicated to excellence, our team respects and challenges each other, holds each other accountable to our company's standards and ethical behavior, and shares in the success of a growing organization. Promises Made. Promises Kept.

MUST HAVES

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of 5 years mortgage industry experience required
• Underwriting experience required, FHA DE and VA LAPP/SAR certifications preferred
• Knowledge of FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, VA, and USDA guidelines
• Able to read and interpret documents such as promissory notes, regulatory and legal directives, and other industry related documents
• Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions
• Able to apply basic math: compute loan amounts, income, and other mortgage related calculations
• Basic computer skills required: word processing, Excel spreadsheets, email, and mortgage software, including in depth knowledge of Automated Underwriting Systems (AUS) - Fannie Mae Desktop Underwriter®(DU®) and Freddie Mac Loan Product Advisor(LPA)

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Responsible for providing a complex level of support to the National Operations Team and company lending activities for all areas of lending operations
• Trouble shoot questions and issues presented by company personnel, external investors/GSE's, vendor partners, third party audits, etc.
• Daily review of internal service requests pertaining to underwriting related issues
• Monitor VA appraisals in the VA LGY portal and FEMA updates in AllRegs
• Review post-closing issues including resubmissions for LPA
• Possess a thorough understanding of loan programs/guidelines and lending requirements
• Provide consultation regarding viable loan alternatives
• Evaluate complex loan scenarios, loan applications, inspection, and financial reports to assess financial risk, including potential fraud
• Provide corporate review/signature on loans exceeding $1,000,000
• Review exception requests
• Review Post Close Quality Control findings as well as Repurchase Findings and resolve with additional documentation and/or explanation of decision made.
• Work with training to develop trending, and training to mediate findings
• Work with Operations Support to fix any system issues causing continued findings.
• Work with Operations Support to develop policy in relation to continued findings.
• Review closed loan files and prepare responses to investor and agency audits
• Create job aids, procedure manuals, and/or worksheets for various operations and underwriting functions in order to improve workflow
• Perform control testing on declined loans when assigned by compliance
• Provide ideas and feedback in the creation of corporate policies and procedures
• Complete special projects
• Other duties and/or mortgage related tasks as assigned by management

WHAT WE VALUE – OUR PILLARS OF SUCCESS

• Do the Right Thing – Always. Make the right choices in relationships with team members, customers, and partners regardless of the circumstances and without making excuses.
• True Ownership. Own your actions and demonstrate personal and corporate commitment to your customers.
• Unsurpassed Speed. Demonstrate a sense of urgency and heightened awareness in everything you do. Provide a fast-paced, seamless, and supportive transaction from start to finish.
• WOW Experience. Go above and beyond your customers' expectations, notice the little things that make a big difference and assume full responsibility for delivering superior service – service that leaves your customers saying, "Wow!"
• Create What's Next. Be a leader of change, serve as a pioneer in the industry. Expertise, insight, and initiative drive our actions.

WHAT YOU'LL GET

• Competitive total compensation package
• A full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, pet insurance and PTO
• Discounted home loans for employees and their family members
• HSA and FSA plans
• Professional opportunities for upward mobility, training, and personal development
• Privately held mortgage company for over 35 years

WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to navigate a standard office environment
• Able to attend meetings off-site, on occasion

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sierra Pacific Mortgage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.