Senior Government Underwriter - FHA & VA First Heritage Mortgage - 3.8 Fairfax, VA Job Details Full-time $85,000 - $110,000 a year 18 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Referral program Qualifications Written communication Clear verbal communication Underwriting guidelines adherence Underwriting Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans Credit risk assessment Fair Housing regulations Appraisal review Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations Consumer lending analysis in risk and credit High school diploma or GED Analysis skills Attention to detail Industry knowledge of financial regulations Document review Organizational skills Credit report review FHA Direct Endorsement Certification Collateral evaluation (loan underwriting) Verification (borrower information) Credit report analysis Veterans Affairs (VA) loans Encompass Time management

Full Job Description Position Summary:

The Senior Government Underwriter is responsible for reviewing and rendering credit decisions on FHA, VA, Conventional, and Non-Agency residential mortgage loan applications, ensuring full compliance with First Heritage Mortgage LLC, investor, and agency guidelines. This role requires expert-level knowledge of HUD and VA policies, strong risk assessment skills, and the ability to apply overlays consistently. The Senior Government Underwriter will utilize active FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) and/or

VA SAR/LAPP

authority to review credit, income, assets, and collateral, making sound credit decisions while mentoring junior underwriting staff and supporting complex loan scenarios.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Underwriting & Decisioning

• Review and validate credit, property, income, asset, and employment documentation for FHA, VA, USDA, and applicable state housing programs.
• Apply HUD Handbook 4000.1, VA Lender's Handbook, investor overlays, and company guidelines to ensure compliance.
• Utilize DE and/or SAR authority to approve, suspend, counter-offer, or decline loan files.
• Review and analyze appraisals for accuracy, completeness, and acceptability under FHA and VA requirements.
• Identify and address red flags for potential fraud or misrepresentation. Collaboration & Communication
• Prepare clear, concise underwriting summaries outlining the credit decision rationale.
• Communicate conditions and decisions effectively to Loan Officers, Processors, and other stakeholders.
• Support escalated scenarios and complex guideline interpretation requests. File Management & Quality Control
• Review resubmissions and clear conditions to issue final approvals.
• Maintain quality underwriting standards to minimize audit findings and repurchase risk.
• Stay informed on guideline, regulatory, and compliance changes, ensuring timely application in daily work. Mentorship & Leadership Support
• Provide guidance and training to less experienced underwriters and processing staff.
• Contribute to internal underwriting policy updates and procedural improvements.

Qualifications:

Required Skills/Abilities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to document clear, defensible underwriting decisions.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical capabilities.
• Expertise in credit, income, and asset evaluation for FHA and VA lending.
• Proficiency in reviewing personal and business tax returns for income calculation.
• In-depth knowledge of underwriting policies, investor guidelines, and current regulatory requirements.
• Professional judgment to handle confidential borrower information with integrity.
• Strong time management and organizational skills to meet volume and turn-time goals. Education/Experience Requirements
• Minimum 5+ years recent FHA and VA residential mortgage underwriting experience.
• Active FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) and/or

VA SAR/LAPP

designation in good standing required.

• Experience underwriting USDA and state housing finance/bond programs preferred (Virginia Housing, Maryland Housing, etc.)
• Experience in a high-volume retail mortgage environment strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Encompass Loan Origination System preferred.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you have active FHA Direct Endorsement (DE) and/or

VA SAR/LAPP

designation in good standing? Do you have knowledge of Encompass Loan Origination System?

Experience:

FHA and VA residential mortgage underwriting : 5 years (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Fairfax, VA 22030 (Required)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Fairfax, VA 22030