Senior Government Underwriter – Remote (Must Reside in Hawaii)

Freedom Mortgage•Honolulu, HI

51d•$76,000 - $89,000•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Government Underwriter underwrites residential mortgage loans to ensure compliance with company requirements, secondary-market investor standards, and applicable laws. The role examines loan documentation for accuracy and completeness and handles multiple types of mortgage lending, including conventional, FHA, VA, and special-program loans. The underwriter works with Loan Originators, Branch Managers, and Processors to obtain required documentation and make sound loan decisions. The candidate must reside in Hawaii. The role requires reviewing borrower profiles and income documentation, assessing credit and property-related records, calculating income, identifying conditions, and applying company and industry guidelines. The underwriter uses automated underwriting systems and risk-assessment tools, maintains knowledge of relevant loan products and secondary-market practices, and aims to deliver decisions within the company’s 48-hour service-level standard. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and may support work across Retail, CC, and Wholesale business channels. The estimated annualized base pay is $76,000–$89,000, depending on experience, qualifications, market location, and other job-related factors. The position is also eligible for commissions based on performance and productivity. Benefits include PTO, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, life insurance, short- and long-term disability options, FSA/HSA, tuition reimbursement, and other voluntary benefits.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least 5 years of current frontline mortgage underwriting experience required.
Active CHUMS ID required.
DE, VA LAPP, and SARS designations required.
Appraisal review and tax-return analysis skills required.
Understanding of TILA, RESPA, and predatory lending.
Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to manage a high-volume workload.
Interpersonal, organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills.
Computer proficiency, including LOS systems, Microsoft Office, and Excel, and ability to learn and use multiple software programs.
Ability to type and use a keyboard at a speed sufficient to meet job demands.
Ability to deliver results and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
Ability to adapt to a changing environment and communicate and work effectively with investors and coworkers.
Clear, concise, and effective written and oral communication skills.
Professional demeanor in appearance, interpersonal relations, work ethic, and attitude.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, memos, workplace policies, professional materials, procedures, and governmental regulations; write professional correspondence and routine business reports; and speak effectively with employees and customers.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts, including probability, statistical inference, geometry, trigonometry, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, to practical situations.
Ability to follow detailed written or verbal instructions, solve problems in standardized situations, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Must reside in Hawaii.

Nice To Haves

BA or BS degree preferred.
Prior credit signing authority is a plus.
Experience preparing repurchase responses and/or rebuttal reviews and responses.
Secondary-market experience is a plus.
Experience in a paperless environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Underwrite conventional, FHA, VA, and special-program loans for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
Maintain current knowledge of company loan-product guidelines, DU/LP guidelines, and risk-assessment tools used to make mortgage decisions.
Rework loans to new terms and identify additional conditions needed to support a viable credit decision.
Review and evaluate borrower profiles, including income documentation, tax returns, credit reports, preliminary reports, judgments, bankruptcy documents, and appraisals.
Analyze and calculate personal and business income statements, and ensure supporting documentation is requested for final loan decisions.
Exercise sound judgment, conduct reasonableness tests, and issue quality decisions.
Determine the accuracy and completeness of loan files and ensure processes are consistent.
Use automated underwriting systems, including DU and LP.
Maintain knowledge of secondary-market activity and business and industry practices affecting underwriting quality and origination activity.
Meet the company’s pre-established standard of delivering decisions within 48 hours.
Communicate regularly with the sales team, processors, and management.
Assist with preparation of repurchase responses and/or rebuttal reviews.
Work across Underwriting business channels (Retail/CC/Wholesale) as needed in a changing environment.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Perform other related duties as assigned.