Community Relations Specialist

Meritus Property Group • Portland, OR

6d • $22 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

Meritus Property Group is seeking a compassionate, organized, service-driven Community Relations Specialist to provide on-site support across a designated group of affordable housing communities. Unlike a traditional leasing role assigned to one property, this role rotates among multiple properties according to operational needs and involves regular travel between locations. The specialist is an approachable point of contact for prospective and current residents, housing referral partners, vendors, and other community stakeholders.

The position supports the full resident experience, including leasing inquiries and application assistance, affordable housing certifications and recertifications, resident communications, move-ins and move-outs, inspections, community events, and administrative coordination. The specialist helps residents and applicants understand processes, collect and organize documentation, and navigate housing-related procedures, while escalating complex issues and eligibility questions to authorized personnel. Final eligibility determinations, compliance approvals, and interpretations of complex program requirements remain with designated personnel.

The role works under the direction of a Property Manager, with affordable housing guidance and compliance support from a Compliance & Affordable Programs Manager. The specialist is responsible for dependable on-site execution, accurate documentation, communication, follow-through, and a respectful customer experience across assigned communities. The position is primarily on-site, with occasional evening or weekend participation potentially required for scheduled events or operational activities.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience in a customer-facing role involving frequent direct interaction with the public, such as property management, leasing, hospitality, customer service, community outreach, or housing administration.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with people from different backgrounds and life circumstances.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with people who have varying communication styles, needs, and familiarity with housing processes.
• Excellent customer service skills, including active listening, patience, professionalism, and thoughtful follow-through.
• Ability to remain calm, respectful, and solution-focused when interacting with upset, frustrated, or distressed individuals.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple assignments, appointments, deadlines, and follow-up responsibilities.
• Attention to detail and ability to accurately collect, organize, and maintain sensitive documentation.
• Ability to work independently at an assigned property while remaining accountable to a larger management team.
• Ability to explain detailed processes clearly and supportively.
• Proficiency with email, electronic documentation, online systems, and general office technology.
• Ability and willingness to learn property management software, leasing platforms, and affordable housing compliance systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Dependability, punctuality, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Ability to travel reliably between assigned property locations.
• Willingness to perform daily face-to-face customer service and move frequently throughout residential communities.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in multifamily property management, residential leasing, or affordable housing.
• Familiarity with LIHTC, HUD-assisted housing, HOME, or other income-restricted housing programs.
• Experience supporting applicant screening, income certifications, recertifications, or housing eligibility documentation.
• Experience with Yardi Voyager or similar property management software.
• Familiarity with leasing CRMs, electronic certification platforms, automated resident communication systems, or digital application processing.
• Experience interacting with housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, housing referral partners, or other community agencies.
• Experience coordinating resident activities, outreach programs, or community events.
• Experience communicating with people facing language, technology, accessibility, or other barriers to completing administrative processes.
• Familiarity with Fair Housing requirements, reasonable accommodation procedures, and landlord-tenant regulations.
• Multilingual communication abilities relevant to the communities served.
• Training or practical experience in conflict de-escalation, trauma-informed communication, or culturally responsive customer service.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary contact for prospective residents and respond to leasing inquiries in person, by phone, email, text, and online platforms.
• Conduct property tours and explain community features, floor plans, rental rates, income restrictions, eligibility requirements, and application processes.
• Assist applicants with applications, online platforms, screening requirements, and required documentation; follow up throughout the application process and maintain accurate applicant and leasing records.
• Support waitlists, interest lists, referrals, occupancy efforts, and fair and equitable treatment of applicants.
• Assist with initial certifications, annual and interim recertifications, and other program-required updates by scheduling appointments, explaining documentation requirements, collecting and organizing documents, tracking progress, and following up on deadlines.
• Protect confidential household, financial, identification, and eligibility information; escalate incomplete or inconsistent information and complex eligibility questions to appropriate personnel.
• Maintain positive relationships with residents and respond to questions, concerns, requests, and community information needs with patience and professionalism.
• Communicate community updates, scheduled work, maintenance requests, inspections, and operational activities; route concerns appropriately and follow up on reported issues.
• Coordinate move-ins and move-outs, including appointments, lease documents, orientations, keys and access, inspections, notices, and turnover coordination.
• Conduct property walks and visual inspections of shared areas and assist with unit inspections; document conditions, identify maintenance or safety concerns, submit requests, and communicate follow-up needs.
• Assist with planning, promoting, coordinating, and hosting inclusive resident events and community activities; gather feedback and coordinate logistics, supplies, budgets, and approved partner participation.
• Coordinate with approved vendors, contractors, referral organizations, housing partners, community agencies, and internal teams regarding appointments, access, applications, services, and follow-up.
• Maintain accurate records in property management, leasing, resident communication, and affordable housing systems, and provide timely updates to the Property Manager.
• Rotate among assigned communities, adjust priorities to meet portfolio needs, maintain organized records, and participate in meetings, training, and improvement initiatives.
• Perform additional related duties consistent with the position and portfolio needs.

Benefits

• Opportunity to develop a career in property management and gain exposure to multiple communities and housing programs.
• Opportunity to develop skills in leasing, customer relations, compliance coordination, and multifamily operations.
• Work alongside experienced property management and affordable housing compliance professionals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed