Senior Legal Specialist

Codinix Consulting Services; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Codinix Consulting Services is looking for a detail-oriented Senior Legal Specialist based in Trenton, NJ. The specialist will support compliance and oversight for federally funded programs like CDBG-DR and ARPA. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 3 years of experience in regulatory settings. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. The role includes documenting compliance activities and preparing for audits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in legal, compliance, regulatory, or audit-related roles.
• Strong understanding of federal and state regulatory frameworks, preferably HUD programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to produce formal reports.

Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of monitoring plans for CDBG-DR and ARPA-funded programs.
• Conduct risk assessments in coordination with subrecipients and stakeholders.
• Prepare comprehensive monitoring reports with findings and corrective recommendations.

Skills

Regulatory interpretation and compliance monitoring

Risk assessment and audit readiness

Legal and policy analysis

Documentation and reporting excellence

Data and records management

Stakeholder coordination and communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Job Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly analytical Senior Legal Specialist to support compliance, monitoring, and oversight activities for federally funded programs, including Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This role focuses on ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations, developing monitoring frameworks, conducting compliance reviews, and supporting audit readiness across multiple programs and funding streams.

The ideal candidate will bring strong legal and regulatory interpretation skills, experience in compliance monitoring, and the ability to manage complex documentation and stakeholder coordination in a highly regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Support the development, execution, and continuous improvement of monitoring plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for CDBG-DR and ARPA-funded programs.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and HUD regulations to ensure all monitoring activities remain compliant with evolving guidance.
• Stay current on regulatory updates and translate policy changes into operational monitoring practices.
• Conduct detailed risk assessments in coordination with subrecipients, internal teams, and external stakeholders.
• Evaluate program performance and compliance risk, including internal controls and operational effectiveness.
• Perform on-site and remote monitoring reviews, including analysis of:
  • Program policies and procedures
  • Participant eligibility and supporting documentation
  • Financial management systems and records
  • Independent audit reports (e.g., Single Audits)
  • Prior findings and corrective action plans

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare comprehensive monitoring reports with clear findings and actionable corrective recommendations.
• Track corrective actions and ensure timely resolution of identified compliance issues.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation and records to support HUD, state, and federal oversight reviews.
• Assist in preparing for HUD monitoring visits and federal audits by compiling documentation and coordinating responses.
• Ensure readiness across multiple programs and funding streams for external reviews and compliance audits.
• Support the organization in responding to audit inquiries and regulatory assessments.
• Coordinate monitoring activities with internal teams and subrecipients across multiple programs.
• Manage large volumes of programmatic and financial data to support compliance tracking and reporting.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to process improvement initiatives to strengthen compliance frameworks.
• Support cross-functional efforts to enhance governance, oversight, and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Law, Public Administration, Political Science, or related discipline).
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in legal, compliance, regulatory, or audit-related roles.
• Strong understanding of federal and state regulatory frameworks, preferably HUD programs or public funding environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce formal reports and documentation.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Core Skills

• Regulatory interpretation and compliance monitoring
• Risk assessment and audit readiness
• Legal and policy analysis
• Documentation and reporting excellence
• Data and records management
• Stakeholder coordination and communication

Preferred Experience

• Experience with HUD-funded programs (CDBG-DR, ARPA, or similar federal grants).
• Background in government, public sector compliance, or legal oversight roles.
• Familiarity with audit processes and corrective action tracking.
• Experience working with subrecipients and grant-funded program structures.