Loan Underwriter; Senior Planning Specialist), Grade 25

Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $83,556 to $129,470 based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) plans and implements activities that prevent and correct problems contributing to the physical decline of residential and commercial areas, ensures fair and equitable relations between landlords and tenants, increases the supply of affordable housing, and maintains existing housing in a safe and sanitary condition.

We are excited to announce an opportunity to join our team as a Senior Planning Specialist, serving as a Loan Underwriter/Project Manager for our Multifamily Housing Programs. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) is dedicated to managing the County’s investments in the production and preservation of affordable housing. We seek enthusiastic and skilled professionals to assist us in achieving our public policy goals and objectives.

The County’s investments in affordable housing serve a diverse array of residents, including low‑ and moderate‑income residents, individuals with special needs, veterans, senior citizens, and those experiencing homelessness.

This position analyzes requests from affordable housing developers for County investment. It serves as a point of contact regarding specific program policies and procedures, resolves issues related to each project, and ensures the loan is closed in a timely manner. The candidate must understand the structures of affordable housing deals and the utilization of federal funds, including but not limited to the Federal HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs.

This position occasionally requires participation in meetings and work assignments outside the office, attending evening meetings, and performing other duties as assigned.

This position is responsible for the following, in no specific order of importance:

• Managing all aspects of a project from inception to closing, including developing investment structures, negotiating and implementing financing plans/loans, preparing financial analyses of complex real estate transactions, and negotiating loan terms with public and private lenders.
• Assisting and guiding the County Attorney's Office with the preparation and review of documents.
• Working with the Department's Division of Finance and Administration on project financing and compliance issues.
• Establishing good working relationships with financial partners.
• Making regular presentations to the Housing Loan Review Committee.
• Making public presentations to diverse audiences regarding the County's affordable housing investment.

Education
:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, economics, accounting, real estate, urban planning, public administration, or related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience with real estate lending, affordable housing finance, or community facility lending. Specific expertise includes, but is not limited to:

• Knowledge and experience with fundamental concepts, principles, and practices of the real estate industry and investment analysis.
• Experience in reviewing standard real estate documentation, including financial projections, loan documents, various legal memoranda, draw requests, rent rolls, and property financial statements.
• Ability to serve as a functional technical expert in responding to inquiries and resolving system-related issues regarding the various tools used by the group and the Multifamily Housing Program.
• Review market data, develop pro‑forma income statements/budgets, perform necessary credit analysis and due diligence, and review documents for new transactions.
• Excellent analytical, writing, public speaking, and customer service skills.
• Experience in underwriting real estate transactions, analyzing and preparing pro‑formas, and closing loans for multifamily affordable housing transactions.
• Experience in working with legal counsels in reviewing a variety of legal documentation for real estate…