Leasing Associate - Aries at Bitter Lake

Start your career at Bellwether Housing as a Leasing Associate in the vibrant city of Seattle, WA 

Who We Are: Through the development, ownership, and operations of affordable housing properties, Bellwether Housing has been a trailblazer in transforming the lives of lower-income individuals and families in our region. As the largest non-profit housing provider in the Pacific Northwest, Bellwether is a leader in State and local housing policy issues, an innovator in financing and housing development strategies, and a trusted partner to a diverse array of organizations in our community, while providing resident and real estate development services to other mission-driven non-profits around Western Washington.  

Salary: $25.00-$29.54/hour

The posted salary reflects the full pay range for this position. Offers made to qualified candidates will be made within this range and will be determined by various factors, including knowledge, skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other factors that would be critical to success in this role. 

Building Information: The Aries at Bitter Lake Apartments are located in North Seattle. The building is 200 units and are comprised of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Office of Housing, and Commerce.

Position Overview: The Leasing Associate is the property's sales representative whose primary duties are to greet prospects, professionally present the features and benefits of the community, and properly secure lease agreements from qualified future residents, in a manner that is consistent with Bellwether’s values, policies, and procedures, and Fair Housing. The Leasing Associate provides professional, responsive, unbiased, caring, and knowledgeable interactions with applicants and current residents. 

Work Schedule: Onsite, Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. The final schedule will be determined by the supervisor.

Your Impact:  

Marketing 

• Maintains a professional yet friendly atmosphere in the leasing office and other areas where prospective residents and residents meet. 
• Responds to inquiries in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Knock- system in accordance with Bellwether expectations. 
• Posts regularly on online advertising sites such as Craigslist and Weblisters as instructed.  
• Inspects models and market-ready vacancies daily to ensure cleanliness. Performs cleaning and staging as needed. 
• Answers incoming phone calls and handles each call accordingly, whether it is a prospect call, an irate resident, a service request, etc. Transfers calls to Property Manager or Assistant Property Manager when appropriate. 
• Greets prospective residents, qualifies, determines needs and preferences, and professionally presents the community and specific apartments while communicating features and benefits. 
• Maintains awareness of local market conditions and trends. Contributes ideas to the manager for marketing property and for improving resident satisfaction. 
• Sets out A-Boards and balloons at property entrances daily.  
• Track all sources of traffic for all prospects in Yardi. 
• Work with the Site Manager and Portfolio Manager to develop marketing strategies and implementation. 
• Evaluate vacant units to determine potential leasing hurdles, working with Site Managers and Portfolio Managers to establish concessions or adjust rent levels. 
• Collaborate with the Resident Services staff, maintain relationships with partnership agencies regarding set-aside units, initiate contracts on vacancies, assist with the client application process, and communicate residency issues with current clients. 

Leasing 

• Manage central leasing email account; outreach and prescreen prospects, provide information on leasing at the Bellwether unit, and schedule intake appointments. 
• Assist with applications to accurately complete rental applications and support documentation. 
• Explain WSHFC income qualification guidelines and other funding guidelines or restrictions. 
• Process housing applications, submit screening applications, and obtain third-party verification of income, assets, and other eligibility requirements. 
• Enter application information into the property management software. 
• Develop a collaborative system with Site Managers for applications in progress, with detailed communication logs to ensure application files are up to date. 
• Complete all lease paperwork, including related addenda, and accept rents and deposits. 
• Organizes and files appropriate reports, leases, and paperwork. 

Building Relationships 

• Actively participate and champion the ‘One Team’ at the site centered on Bellwether’s values of accountability, belonging, and collaboration.     
• Seek out and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and ensure site teams do the same.      
• Create a sense of community among residents, coordinating and engaging in regular events.   
• Champion and cultivate an inclusive work environment.   

Who You Are:  

Minimum Requirements 

• One year of prior work experience in apartment leasing or a high-volume customer service role. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Highly organized and strong attention to detail, capable of taking personal initiative in a project as needed, making sure all work is completed and of high quality. 
• Ability to always exercise discretion and confidentiality. 
• Exceptional customer service aptitude, including problem-solving skills and the ability to respond quickly and tactfully to customer requests. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Experience working with Microsoft Office user applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Prior apartment management or leasing experience in the property management industry. 
• Experience in leasing in low-income housing tax credit properties. 
• Experience in Fair Housing and local landlord/tenant law. 
• Completion of WSHFC Fundamental and Advanced training workshops. 
• Experience with Seattle Housing Authority Section 8 Project and Tenant-Based programs. 
• Experience working with Yardi or equivalent property management software. 
• Familiarity with service-enriched housing programs. 
• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships with community constituencies and social service agencies. 
• Experience working with social service programs for diverse populations and making referrals as appropriate.  
• High school diploma or GED (equivalent education and experience may be substituted for the stated requirements). 

What We Offer: Bellwether Housing is your platform for growth, empowerment, and purpose. When you join our team, you will receive: 

• Competitive compensation accompanied by a generous benefits package. 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance. 
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with an employer match, guiding you towards a prosperous future. 
• Fuel for your personal and professional development with up to $1,500 in employer-paid continuing education per year. 
• An ORCA Transit Pass to navigate the city with ease. 
• Up to 24 paid days off in your first year, prorated personal days renewed annually, and 8 paid office closure days. 
• The chance to be part of a transformative mission, leaving a mark on the lives of those we serve in our communities. 

At Bellwether Housing, you will elevate your career in a role that's as rewarding as it is impactful, where you’ll be part of a movement that is helping shape the future of affordable housing in Seattle and where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are the pillars of our success.  

Bellwether Housing embraces a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and is dedicated to building a team that is made up of a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills that reflect the populations we serve. We are committed to being an anti-racist organization, while acknowledging that we have a long way to go. You can learn more about our DEI work on our website. 

Bellwether Housing is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to reasonably accommodate all qualified applicants [and employees] by providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. To request Reasonable Accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. 

Note: This role requires successful completion of a background check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance.