Occupancy Specialist

Abode; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36.00–39.50 USD hourly wage

100% paid health, vision, dental

19 PTO days & 12 holidays

3% retirement match

Job summary

Abode seeks an Occupancy Specialist to manage initial eligibility and certifications across a Bay Area portfolio, coordinating with Resident Relations Managers and Compliance staff.

You will ensure compliance with housing rules, review applicant files, and maintain centralized waiting lists, supporting accurate and timely move-ins across properties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3-5 years of experience with tax credit and affordable housing rules.
• COS designation or ability to attain certification within six months of hire.
• Reliable transportation to work across multiple properties.
• Experience with Landlord/Tenant Laws, VAWA, Fair Housing, LIHTC is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage initial occupancy eligibility and certification for an assigned portfolio, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Review and submit applicant files for accuracy, income eligibility, rent limits, and program-specific requirements.
• Maintain centralized waiting lists and coordinate with referrals to ensure smooth application flow.
• Partner with site staff to align occupancy activity with leasing timelines and unit readiness.
• Monitor changes to occupancy regulations and prepare reports, files, and KPI tracking for compliance.

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Team collaboration

MS Office

Education

High school diploma or GED

COS certification

Tax Credit Certification

Tools

Yardi

Rent Café

Job description

Abode, one of the largest and effective nonprofits working to end homelessness in the Bay Area, is seeking an Occupancy Specialist for our programs through out the Bay Area.

About the role:

The Occupancy Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all applicants and residents within an assigned portfolio of properties are fully compliant with applicable local, state, and federal occupancy requirements for initial certification and eligibility at move-in. This centralized role supports multiple properties rather than a single site and works in close coordination with Resident Relations Managers, Property Operations leadership, and Compliance staff to ensure units are leased efficiently, waiting lists are managed accurately, and regulatory standards are met across the portfolio.

The People and Culture:

You will be surrounded by some of the most talented, supportive, smart, and kind leaders and teams - people you can be proud to work with Abode Services regularly recognizes employees’ efforts, seeks employees’ input, and cares for employees as people with lives outside of work. We believe that we make better decisions and provide quality services when our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. People of color make up nearly 70% of our workforce and we strive to recruit and retain employees from all backgrounds.

Our Benefits & Perks

• $36.00 - $39.50 per hour
• 100% paid health, vision, and dental options
• 19 PTO days & 12 Holidays per year
• Voluntary benefits: FSA, EAP, Commuter Checks, Life Insurance, Legal, and more
• 3% retirement match/contribution
• Professional Development Trainings and Opportunities, Leadership Academy Programs, and All Staff Events
• Dynamic, mission-driven culture and supportive leadership. We support you in supporting others

How You Make An Impact

Portfolio-Based Occupancy & Eligibility

• Manage initial occupancy eligibility and certification, including transfers or household composition changes for an assigned portfolio of properties, ensuring compliance with Landlord/Tenant Laws, VAWA, Fair Housing, PSH, LIHTC, other applicable regulatory requirements or local, state or federal programs.
• Obtain, review, verify, and submit for approval applicant files and household change documents for accuracy, income eligibility, rent limits, utility allowances, and program-specific requirements prior to move-in.
• Ensure all eligibility determinations align with partnership agreements, regulatory agreements, and internal policies.

Waiting List & Application Management

• Maintain and manage centralized housing waiting lists using the property management system (e.g., Yardi).
• Coordinate with referral sources, service providers, and internal teams to facilitate application flow for assigned properties.
• Monitor applicant status and ensure timely movement through the eligibility pipeline using property management system (e.g., Yardi, Rent Café).

Coordination with Operations & Site Staff

• Partner with Resident Relations Managers (site staff) and Property Operations leadership to align occupancy activity with unit readiness and leasing timelines.
• Provide clear guidance to site teams regarding eligibility status, documentation needs, and move-in readiness. Site staff will collect documents, interview applicants, and complete resident orientations on site with guidance from the Occupancy Specialist.
• Serve as a centralized resource to support consistent occupancy practices across assigned properties.

Compliance Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor regulatory changes affecting occupancy and eligibility requirements and elevate updates to the Occupancy and Leasing Manager.
• Prepare and maintain complete and accurate applicant/resident files and leasing notes for occupancy activity in the property management system.
• Submit vacancy claims and related documentation to funders as required.
• Produce status, productivity, trackers and compliance reports related to assigned portfolio and maintain KPI standards related to occupancy.

Administrative & System Responsibilities

• Enter and maintain accurate occupancy data in the property management system.
• Maintain documentation standards to support internal audits, funder reviews, and regulatory monitoring.
• Must complete required organization and position-specific training to maintain compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.

How You Meet Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• 3-5 years' experience working with tax credit and other affordable housing program rules and regulations.
• Valid and current Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS) designation, Tax Credit Certification or ability to successfully attain certification within six months of hire date.
• Reliable transportation or access to a vehicle is required to work in an office, attend in-person meetings, and offsite events.
• Must be willing to travel between multiple counties to properties and administration offices within Abode’s portfolio with reliable transportation to ensure timely arrival to the office or Abode worksites.

Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms with experience with property management software like YARDI or similar.
• Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications.
• Outstanding communication skills and high degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts.

Notice:

This description is to be used as a guide only. It does not constitute a contract, commitment, or promise of any kind. Abode Property Management reserves the right to change, add, delete, upgrade, or downgrade the position as dictated by business necessity at any time with or without notice.

Notice:

Abode Property Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace.