Occupancy Specialist

Fairstead ESC LLC; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance Meritain Health

Vision Plans

401(k) Company Match

12+ paid Holidays

15 days of PTO

7 Sick days

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Pet Insurance

Disability Insurance

Laser Correction Discount

Employee Discounts on appliances, gear

Job summary

Fairstead is actively seeking a Recertification Specialist to manage resident recertifications across our portfolio, ensuring compliance with HUD, LIHTC, and HPD guidelines. The role focuses on accurate rent calculations, eligibility determinations, and coordinating verification processes.

You will handle initial and annual recertifications, respond to HUD concerns, and support outreach to properties. The role emphasizes accuracy, deadlines, and strong communication across teams.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Section 8, LIHTC and HUD.
• Knowledge of HUD/Public Housing/Tax Credit policies and procedures.
• Experience with EIV reports.
• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven work style.
• Experience with MOR.
• Experience with Yardi.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Notary Public is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process initial, annual, and interim recertifications and calculate retroactive rent in compliance with HUD regulations and HPD guidelines.
• Calculate rents for annual and interim recertification.
• Identify households with income reporting discrepancies and adjust rents accordingly.
• Review applicant files and determine Section 8 eligibility.
• Follow LIHTC and Section 8 guidelines.
• Notify residents of upcoming recertifications.
• Schedule initial interviews for recertifications.
• Prepare third party verification forms.
• Maintain residents’ files and paperwork.
• Investigate income discrepancies for NY.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Knowledge of Section 8

LIHTC & HUD knowledge

Detail-oriented

People skills

Notary Public (preferred)

Tools

MOR

Yardi

Job description

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Colorado, Florida, and Washington DC, Fairstead owns and manages a portfolio of more than 30,000 apartments, including pipeline, across 28 states. As an integrated owner, operator, and innovator, Fairstead brings development, construction, and property management under one unified platform to deliver high-quality affordable housing that serves our residents at scale.

At Fairstead, we believe affordable housing should be thoughtfully designed, professionally managed, and responsibly operated. We seek to create and preserve housing that serves residents while delivering long-term value to communities, partners, and stakeholders.

Fairstead challenges industry norms through our tech-forward, entrepreneurial approach to affordable housing. In addition to core real estate capabilities, we operate innovative service lines designed to improve resident outcomes, strengthen communities, and drive operational efficiency. We embrace digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and emerging technologies, including AI, to build scalable systems that support sustainable growth, grounded in a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, partnership, dedication, and integrity.

The Recertification Specialist reviews all resident files within the portfolio and applies knowledge of regulatory requirements for properties to ensure compliance standards are met. This position serves as the primary point of contact for overseeing compliance, responding to HUD concerns, and providing outreach to the property.

*Offering $2,500 Signing Bonus!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process initial, annual, and interim recertifications and calculate retroactive rent while conforming to HUD regulations and HPD guidelines.
• Calculate rents for annual and interim recertification.
• Identify households with income reporting discrepancies and make rent adjustments.
• Review applicant files and determine Section 8 eligibility.
• Follow LIHTC and Section 8 guidelines.
• Notify residents of upcoming recertifications.
• Schedule initial interviews for recertifications.
• Prepare third party verification forms.
• Maintaining residents’ files and paperwork.
• For NY: Investigate and correct income discrepancies.
• Performs other related duties as required.

BENEFITS:

• Generous employer contribution for Medical Insurance through Meritain Health.
• Employer Paid Vision Plans.
• Company Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan: 100% of the first 3%; 50% of the next 2%.
• 12+ paid Holidays.
• 15 days of PTO.
• 7 Sick days.
• Employer Paid Life Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Nationwide Pet Insurance.
• Disability Insurance.
• Laser Correction Discount.
• Employee Discounts on appliances, apparel, and more.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Section 8, LIHTC and HUD.
• Knowledge of HUD/Public Housing/Tax Credit policies and procedures.
• Experience with EIV reports.
• Detail-oriented and the ability to operate on a deadline-driven schedule.
• Experience with MOR.
• Experience with Yardi
• People skills and superior communication skills.
• For NY: Experience investigating and correcting income discrepancies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Possess strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Notary Public is preferred.

Diversity in backgrounds and experiences is key to Fairstead’s success. Being an equal opportunity employer is a central tenet of our philosophy that shapes who we are and the communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure competitive total compensation that is commensurate with experience, location, and other market benchmarks.

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