Certification Specialist

Certification Specialist (part-time)

The Certification Specialist provides administrative support to Housing Action Council's compliance team, working independently to manage tenant recertifications, income qualifications, and waiting lists for 200+ affordable units throughout Westchester County. The role reports to the Marketing, Outreach & Compliance Manager and serves as a day-to-day point of contact for tenants, property owners, property managers, and housing agencies. This is a part-time position, three days per week, with some flexibility for hybrid (remote) work, and with the potential to expand in hours and scope as Housing Action Council grows its compliance and monitoring services.

Key Responsibilities

Recertifications and Income Qualifications

• • Support the annual recertification cycle for tenants across a portfolio of affordable properties, tracking due dates and initiating outreach in advance of deadlines. Correspond professionally and promptly with tenants, property owners, property managers, and housing agencies regarding documentation requirements, deadlines, and determinations.
  • Review and process tenant-submitted documents; identify missing or unclear items and follow up until files are complete. Perform income and asset calculations to determine continued eligibility against current HUD income limits.
  • Support lottery processes and lease-up activity as needed.
  • Escalate complex eligibility questions and potential noncompliance to the Compliance Manager.

Compliance & Recordkeeping

• • Maintain waiting lists for multiple buildings, including intake, ranking, preference application, and periodic purges.
  • Support the preparation of agency reports as needed, ensuring adherence to Westchester County, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), HUD, and other funder requirements. Maintain tenant and applicant files to support accurate and auditable determinations. Track and document applicant and tenant data to meet funder and internal reporting requirements.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive household financial information.

Qualifications and Certifications

• Highly organized; able to manage a high volume of files and recurring deadlines independently.
• Detail-oriented, with strong accuracy in document review and data entry.
• Strong written communication; comfortable corresponding with tenants, landlords, and government agencies.
• Proficient in Excel and Outlook; quick to learn new systems.
• Associate's degree or equivalent experience (Bachelor's preferred); 1+ year of administrative or housing-related experience.
• Familiarity with HUD income limits and eligibility rules, or ability to learn quickly.

Preferred

• • Familiarity with Salesforce and Constant Contact.
  • Experience with Westchester County affordable housing policies and programs.
  • NAHMA or SHCM (Specialist in Housing Credit Management) certification.
  • Bilingual (Spanish/English or other).

Pay & Benefits

$30 per hour

Paid vacation and sick leave (accrued).

Professional development support.

One-time bonus available for HUD Housing Counselor Certification (optional).

$30 per hour

Paid vacation and sick leave (accrued).

Professional development support.

One-time bonus available for HUD Housing Counselor Certification (optional).

English Required

Bilingual Spanish/English Preferred