Senior Mortgage Lending Operations Specialist

O. C. Credit Union • Santa Ana, CA

2d • $24 - $30 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under general direction, the Senior Mortgage Lending Operations Specialist performs advanced cross-functional support across mortgage lending sales, operations, processing, closing, funding, and related functions. This position serves as a highly skilled, cross-trained resource with subject matter expertise across multiple mortgage lending disciplines, including loan origination support, sales support, pipeline coordination, documentation review, loan closing, and funding activities. The role is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, sound judgment, and technical expertise while supporting operational excellence, regulatory compliance, service quality, and efficient workflow execution. This position serves as a key resource for associates, leadership, members, and business partners by providing guidance on processes, systems, and mortgage lending requirements. This role serves as a cross-functional subject matter expert across several key mortgage lending areas and is relied upon to provide advanced technical expertise, procedural guidance, support for complex mortgage lending matters, and recommendations that improve operational efficiency, quality, compliance, and member experience.

Requirements

• High school education or equivalent.
• Minimum five to seven years of mortgage lending experience such as mortgage operations, funding, closing, loan origination support, sales support, processing support, or related mortgage functions
• Successfully registered with the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry) as a Mortgage Loan Originator
• Advanced knowledge of residential mortgage lending processes, workflows, terminology, and documentation.
• Thorough understanding of federal and state mortgage lending regulations, investor requirements, compliance standards, and Credit Union policies.
• Advanced understanding of loan origination systems, CRM systems, mortgage documentation, closing processes, and funding procedures.
• Knowledge of credit union rules, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to analyze complex situations, identify solutions, and exercise sound business judgment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and accuracy.
• Ability to create and maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation.
• Ability to accurately perform mathematical calculations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and related mortgage technology platforms.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating across multiple departments and functional areas.
• Proven ability to support process consistency, operational efficiencies, and service excellence initiatives.
• Requires good memory, knowledge retention skills and ability to multi-task, prioritize projects and duties effectively.
• Requires excellent follow-through skills, member relations skills, and sound business judgment.
• Ability to interface with others in a positive and professional manner.
• Requires California residency and living within a 50-mile commute of our headquarters in Santa Ana.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience working across multiple mortgage lending disciplines preferred.
• Previous experience serving as a subject matter expert, technical resource, or senior-level contributor preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced support activities across mortgage lending sales, operations, processing support, closing, and funding functions based upon business needs and departmental priorities.
• Serves as a key resource regarding mortgage lending procedures, systems, workflows, documentation requirements, and compliance standards.
• Provides cross-functional support and coverage to ensure continuity of operations and service excellence.
• Assists associates and business partners with complex mortgage lending questions, procedural guidance, and issue resolution.
• Supports mortgage pipeline management activities, lead tracking, CRM maintenance, and loan status monitoring to ensure service-level expectations and compliance requirements are met.
• Assists with development and maintenance of reporting, pipeline analysis, and workflow tracking tools.
• Coordinates with internal departments to facilitate timely progression of loan applications through the origination process.
• Provides professional support to members, referral partners, and business partners regarding loan status, documentation requirements, and mortgage lending processes.
• Assists with mortgage sales initiatives, business development activities, and member outreach efforts as assigned.
• Supports mortgage processing activities including the collection, review, validation, and organization of documentation required for underwriting and loan approval.
• Reviews loan applications, income documentation, asset documentation, credit documentation, and supports loan files for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with Credit Union, investor, and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with the management of mortgage pipelines by monitoring loan status, outstanding conditions, disclosure requirements, service level agreements, and regulatory timelines.
• Coordinates with loan originators, underwriters, members, escrow companies, title companies, and third-party vendors to facilitate the timely progression of loan files through the underwriting and approval process.
• Assists in reviewing automated underwriting findings, loan data, documentation requirements, and underwriting conditions to ensure file readiness and completeness.
• Supports the collection, review, and resolution of underwriting conditions and documentation requirements through final approval and funding.
• Maintains accurate loan records, status updates, and documentation within loan origination systems and workflow management tools.
• Serves as a resource regarding mortgage processing procedures, documentation standards, investor guidelines, and workflow requirements.
• Reviews loan files and documentation for completeness, accuracy, consistency, and compliance before closing and funding.
• Prepares, reviews, and validates closing documentation in accordance with Credit Union, investor, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates with escrow companies, settlement agents, title companies, and internal departments to facilitate successful and timely loan closings.
• Verifies execution of loan documents, satisfaction of funding conditions, and accuracy of loan data prior to funding.
• Assists with wire requests, funding activities, loan boarding activities, and post-closing documentation requirements.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation within all applicable systems and electronic tracking tools.
• Ensures mortgage lending activities comply with Credit Union policies, investor guidelines, federal and state regulations, and established service standards.
• Identifies documentation discrepancies, compliance concerns, operational risks, and workflow exceptions and takes appropriate action to facilitate resolution.
• Supports quality assurance initiatives through file reviews, documentation validation, and process consistency efforts.
• Maintains accurate and complete audit-ready records in all mortgage lending systems and repositories.
• Serves as a resource for the resolution of complex mortgage lending matters requiring advanced technical knowledge and sound judgment.
• Acts as the department's cross-functional subject matter expert by maintaining proficiency and providing expertise across mortgage sales support, loan origination support, processing, closing, funding, and related operational processes.
• Shares knowledge, best practices, and procedural expertise to support associate development and cross-training efforts.
• Supports onboarding activities through process education and knowledge transfer.
• Identifies workflow efficiencies, operational risks, and opportunities for process improvement and provide recommendations to leadership.
• Participates in departmental projects, system implementations, process enhancement initiatives, and strategic objectives.
• Partners with leadership on special projects and process reviews to improve operational effectiveness and member experience.
• Maintains advanced knowledge of mortgage lending regulations, investor guidelines, products, systems, and operational procedures, and communicates relevant updates to associates as appropriate.
• Assists with departmental audits, quality reviews, compliance examinations, and operational readiness initiatives.
• Participates in testing, implementation, and adoption of new mortgage products, technologies, workflows, and system enhancements.
• Provides prompt, courteous, professional service to members, real estate agents, escrow companies, vendors, loan originators, and internal business partners.
• Maintains proactive communication with all parties throughout the mortgage lending process.
• Protects confidential information and ensures compliance with all privacy, security, and regulatory requirements.
• Delivers exceptional service consistent with the Credit Union's "Put People First" philosophy.
• Consistently practices the Service Philosophy of “Put People First” exercising the Connect, Discover, Deliver & Wow components in every encounter with internal and external members, creating extraordinary experiences.
• Sells and promotes credit union products and services to new and existing members contributing to the achievement of individual, branch, and credit union goals.
• Utilizes personal Strengths to contribute to the Team and the credit union’s success, and exercise awareness of, and utilizes the strengths of others.
• Possesses knowledge of, and complies with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), monitoring and reporting suspicious activity and completing Currency Transactions Reports (CTRs) when appropriate.
• Effectively conveys information. Communicates with immediate supervisor and the team keeping others advised of progress and/or situations.
• Displays behavior that matches the value of Mutual Respect by relating favorably at all levels within the organization.
• Supports and contributes to the credit union’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and values.
• Maintains good housekeeping, safety and security measures.
• Displays professional appearance.
• Utilizes stress in a productive manner and works well under pressure.
• Cooperates with supervisor and with other credit union associates. Projects good will and a positive credit union image.
• Complies with all Orange County’s Federal Credit Union policies, service standards, safety standards, procedural guidelines, and regulatory compliance, and completes all assigned training.
• Has regular and predictable attendance which is essential.
• Cares for equipment and follows proper guidelines for use.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
• May be a disaster recovery team member or take directives from a disaster team recovery member.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Comprehensive benefits, including Anthem, Delta Dental, and VSP, effective from your first day.
• Financial Security: Life insurance at no cost and a 401(k) plan with an employer match up to 6%.
• Work-Life Balance: 13 days of vacation and seven (7) sick days annually and paid holidays.
• Recognition & Growth: Annual merit increases, discretionary and referral bonuses, as well as educational grants up to $1,000 per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED