Senior Compliance Specialist, MFTE and Local Programs

Roost Affordable; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Roost Affordable seeks a Senior Compliance Specialist, MFTE and Local Programs in Seattle to train and oversee on-site teams on local affordable housing program policies. You’ll pre-approve files, interpret complex regulations, and ensure quality control under the Compliance Team Lead.

This role focuses on reducing paper-heavy processes and improving workflows for the Seattle portfolio. Responsibilities include reviewing MFTE and ARCH files, supporting audits, and integrating Roost compliance

Qualifications

• Proven experience meeting affordable housing program requirements, specifically Seattle MFTE and other local affordable programs.
• 1-2 years of on-site property management experience in leasing and/or certification processing.
• Experience with Yardi or a comparable CRM platform required.
• Six months to one year (depending on experience) in a Compliance Specialist I role, with supervisor approval to advance.
• Ability to read and interpret tenant file information and complex documents such as regulatory agreements and program regulations.
• Working knowledge of affordable housing industry terms and their meaning.
• Must not have an active Performance Improvement Plan within the past six months.

Responsibilities

• Owning the day-to-day work of getting local-program files right, and serving as the advanced check for the team.
• Provide pre-approval of files prepared by other Compliance Specialists and Occupancy Specialists.
• Serve as an advanced resource for program interpretation and quality control.
• Review first-year files for completeness and arrange for proper electronic storage.
• Report potential noncompliance issues to the Community Manager, Regional Manager, or Compliance Manager.
• Train and support on-site Occupancy Specialists and Leasing Consultants as needed.
• Support communities with audits and annual reporting obligations.
• Ensure third-party and Roost compliance software is being used properly.
• Assist with Tenant Selection Plans (TSP), Affluent Fair Housing Marketing Plans (AFHMP), and Language Assistance Plans (LAP) for each property, along with other required documents.
• Apply and share advanced knowledge of Seattle MFTE, ARCH, and other local affordable program requirements across the team.
• Interpret tenant file information and complex documents such as regulatory agreements and program regulations, and translate them into plain guidance for teams and residents.
• Partner with the product team to surface friction and ideas that help build and refine Roost's compliance workflows.
• Arrive prepared with the tools needed to complete assigned tasks, including access to computers, forms, templates, online training, and webinars, and assist with projects and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Writing and communication

Complex document interpretation

Education

COS certification

Tools

Yardi

Google Workspace

Job description

The Senior Compliance Specialist , MFTE and Local Programs trains and provides guidance and oversight to on-site teams on local affordable housing program policies and procedures. Building on the foundation of the Compliance Specialist role, this person takes on additional responsibilities, including pre-approving files prepared by junior compliance staff and serving as an advanced resource for program interpretation and quality control. It reviews MFTE and ARCH files in adherence to Seattle Office of Housing and Roost compliance standards. It's a detail-driven role for someone who is genuinely excited about technology and eager to help replace paper-heavy, manual work with cleaner, faster workflows. Reporting to the Compliance Team Lead and working in close collaboration with on-site Occupancy Specialists and other team members, the Compliance Specialist II is a trusted expert who helps Roost earn its place as an ally to the people creating affordable homes.

Job summary

The Senior Compliance Specialist , MFTE and Local Programs trains and provides guidance and oversight to on-site teams on local affordable housing program policies and procedures. Building on the foundation of the Compliance Specialist role, this person takes on additional responsibilities, including pre-approving files prepared by junior compliance staff and serving as an advanced resource for program interpretation and quality control. It reviews MFTE and ARCH files in adherence to Seattle Office of Housing and Roost compliance standards. It's a detail-driven role for someone who is genuinely excited about technology and eager to help replace paper-heavy, manual work with cleaner, faster workflows. Reporting to the Compliance Team Lead and working in close collaboration with on-site Occupancy Specialists and other team members, the Compliance Specialist II is a trusted expert who helps Roost earn its place as an ally to the people creating affordable homes.

Duties & responsibilities

File Review, Pre-Approval & Quality Control

Owning the day-to-day work of getting local-program files right, and serving as the advanced check for the team.

• Support various properties that use the MFTE or ARCH program by processing and submitting all assigned files for review.

• Provide pre-approval of files prepared by other Compliance Specialists and Occupancy Specialists.

• Serve as an advanced resource for program interpretation and quality control.

• Review first-year files for completeness and arrange for proper electronic storage.

• Report potential noncompliance issues to the Community Manager, Regional Manager, or Compliance Manager.

Training & On-Site Support

Helping the people doing the work feel confident and supported.

• Train and support on-site Occupancy Specialists and Leasing Consultants as needed.

• Support communities with audits and annual reporting obligations.

• Ensure third-party and Roost compliance software is being used properly.

• Assist with Tenant Selection Plans (TSP), Affluent Fair Housing Marketing Plans (AFHMP), and Language Assistance Plans (LAP) for each property, along with other required documents.

Program Knowledge & Product Partnership

Building real program expertise and helping Roost turn it into better tools.

• Apply and share advanced knowledge of Seattle MFTE, ARCH, and other local affordable program requirements across the team.

• Interpret tenant file information and complex documents such as regulatory agreements and program regulations, and translate them into plain guidance for teams and residents.

• Partner with the product team to surface friction and ideas that help build and refine Roost's compliance workflows.

• Arrive prepared with the tools needed to complete assigned tasks, including access to computers, forms, templates, online training, and webinars, and assist with projects and other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications

• Proven experience meeting affordable housing program requirements, specifically Seattle MFTE and other local affordable programs.

• 1-2 years of on-site property management experience in leasing and/or certification processing.

• Experience with Yardi or a comparable CRM platform required.

• Six months to one year (depending on experience) in a Compliance Specialist I role, with supervisor approval to advance.

• Ability to read and interpret tenant file information and complex documents such as regulatory agreements and program regulations.

• Working knowledge of affordable housing industry terms and their meaning.

• Proficiency with Google Workspace, including Sheets, Docs, and Gmail.

• Must not have an active Performance Improvement Plan within the past six months.

Preferred qualifications

• COS certification preferred.

• Detail-oriented, with strong judgment and critical thinking; produces accurate, timely documents and reports.

• Communicates clearly in writing and in person, and explains complex compliance topics in a straightforward manner to residents.

• Takes direction and feedback with a positive, growth-oriented attitude; de-escalates conflict and stays calm and courteous.

• Builds trust and addresses community challenges with cultural awareness and an equity lens.

• Strong time-management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with proactive resourcefulness in problem solving.

Work environment & physical requirements

• Works primarily at the Roost office in a collaborative environment, along with visiting properties in the Seattle portfolio as needed.

• May require a valid driver's license and insurance; willingness to travel within the Greater Seattle Area as necessary.

• Stand and walk or sit alternately depending on the needs of the day; estimated 70% of time at a desk and 30% standing or walking.

• Constant need (66 to 100% of the time) for writing or typing, grasping or turning, and finger dexterity.

• Lifting and carrying: 20 to 25 lbs occasionally, under 20 lbs frequently, and under 10 lbs constantly.