Credit Collections Associate Jobs in Fort Wayne, IN

WHO WE ARE:

Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. is a rapidly growing development, construction, and property management organization dedicated to the creation of quality affordable housing to benefit those who need it most. We are an employee-owned, passion-driven group that changes each community of which we are a part. We manage over 16,000 housing units in 19 states, proudly serving seniors, veterans, and other economically challenged groups. We seek ambitious, talented individuals who want to grow with a rapidly expanding company whose success is not only measured in dollars and cents, but in lives changed. With a development portfolio of $1.5 billion, Woda Cooper consistently ranks among the top affordable housing developers and owners in the country by Affordable Housing Finance.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK:

Apple Glen in Van Wert, Ohio, and Partridge Place in Paulding, Ohio, are affordable housing communities dedicated to providing quality apartment homes in welcoming, resident-focused environments. As the Community Manager, you'll oversee the daily operations of both properties, including resident relations, leasing, compliance, financial performance, and property operations. This multi-site role offers the opportunity to work closely with residents, vendors, and your regional support team to maintain safe, well-managed communities while delivering exceptional customer service and supporting Woda Cooper's commitment to providing high-quality affordable housing.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain positive interactions with residents and the public to enhance the community image and ensure superior resident retention.
• Lease apartments: take telephone inquiries; greet prospects; show apartments; take applications and deposits; verify income and credit information; follow up with all prospects; and ensure that leases and annual certifications are executed and renewed on a timely basis.
• Maintain the community's curb appeal, ensuring it always remains welcoming and attractive.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times related to prospect or resident information.
• Maintain secure handling of rents and all monies on site, daily deposits and record keeping.
• Oversee the process of collecting and posting all rents, tracking collections, pursuing delinquent accounts, issuing notices to residents, and attending proceedings in court as needed.
• Properly screen and score rental applicants, control delinquency and promptly process bad debt files to collections.
• Create and maintain a customer-centered service culture by demonstrating proactive hospitality with prospects, residents, family members and fellow community associates.
• Administer the community’s operating budget, including the control of monthly expenses using a budget control log, where applicable.
• Assemble complete and detailed credit and income information, along with necessary verification documents for prospective residents’ approval and re-certification, and forward to Compliance for approval. 
• Maintain and ensure each resident file is in compliance with all SHFA commitments and any other governmental commitments; ensure each resident file complies with any and all lender and investor commitments.
• Track scheduled unit inspections via unit inspection log and ensure preventative maintenance is completed.
• Sign off vacant units as market-ready and provide feedback/work orders needed to maintain company standard. 
• Inspect (walk) the property daily, and schedule capital improvements and repairs, including collecting bids based on common specs and forwarding them to the Regional Manager for approval.
• Ensure that all financial reporting, records and paperwork are performed correctly and in a timely manner.
• Review capital maintenance recommendations and forward them to the Regional Manager for approval.
• Maintain a constant awareness of neighborhood market conditions.
• Ensure all residents conduct themselves per the terms of the lease and rules/regulations.
• Develop and implement positive resident relations programs for the property.
• Participate in company-sponsored continuing education and training seminars.
• Timely reporting of any work-related injuries to People Operations, Regional Manager, and Incident Reporting.
• Timely reporting of any property loss or liability-related issues for both staff members, residents, and/or guests.
• Read and be familiar with policies and procedures. 
• Respond to e-mail promptly. 
• Take required and assigned training courses in a timely manner.
• Learn and be able to function within company-related software.
• Respond to any after hours and weekend emergencies that may arise related to injuries or property damage.
• Effectively communicate with residents, associates and vendors.
• Dependable and able to report to work according to schedule and on time.

• Perform other related duties or training as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Outgoing, friendly, and customer-oriented demeanor.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with good sales and customer service skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Detail-oriented and organized.  
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team of associates.
• Understanding of laws, guidelines, and best practices of property management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Travel to community locations and surrounding markets required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED.
• Experience working in affordable housing programs including one or more of the following: LIHTC, Section 8, and HUD preferred.
• Experience with property management-related software a plus.
• Familiarity with Fair Housing laws preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and insurance.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and standing and walking, giving tours, and meeting with potential tenants. 
• Must be able to lift to 15 pounds at a time. 
• Must be able to traverse a variety of properties with stairs and in a variety of weather conditions.

BENEFITS:

We offer competitive wages and annual bonus opportunities. Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
• 401k with Company Match
• 100% Employee-Owned Company with the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 12 Days Paid Time Off
• 8 Paid Holidays & 2 Floating Holidays!
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Professional Development Reimbursement

Employment is contingent on education verification, references, background check, and drug screening.

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