Payment Specialist - Experienced Associate

Job Summary:

The Payment Specialist reviews, verifies, and disburses emergency rental assistance funds to in coordination with emergency rental assistance grant programs. This role ensures payments are accurate, timely, and compliant with federal, state, and local requirements, while maintaining audit-ready documentation and financial records.

Job Duties:

* Processes and authorizes payments for rent and utilities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to ERAP program guidelines
* Coordinates invoice and budget reconciliation with finance teams; tracks expenditures against grant budgets and resolves discrepancies
* Manages vendor/landlord payment workflows, including validating payment requests and ensuring proper supporting documentation
* Maintains audit-ready files and records (digital and/or paper) to support transparency, reporting, and compliance with federal regulations
* Communicates with stakeholders (landlords, tenants, community partners) to resolve payment issues, verifies housing-related information, and coordinates services
* Tracks and reports program data using tools such as databases (e.g., Canopy) and Excel to monitor trends, performance metrics, and processing status
* Other duties as required

Supervisory Responsibilities:
* N/A

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:
* High School Diploma or equivalent, required
* Associate's degree in Business Administration, General Business, Finance, Accounting, preferred

Experience:
* Three (3) or more years of experience in a payment environment (e.g., general accounts payable or grant-funded accounts payable), required
* Experience in grant management, accounting, or housing assistance program, preferred

Software:
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office, required
* Advanced Excel experience including analysis, tracking, and reporting, required

Other Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
* Strong analytical skills with the ability to review data for compliance and identify process improvements
* Strong organizational and multitasking skills
* Superior attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines
* Strong problem-solving skills
* Ability to design and improve processes
* High level of integrity and discretion
* Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences
* Ability to travel as required by client/business needs
* Learns quickly and adapts to new technologies
* Self-starts and works well in a team environment
* Knowledge of HUD regulations and/or government grant compliance requirements

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

California Range: $22.00/hr - $30.00/hr