WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

If you’re looking for an exciting opportunity, you’re in the right place. Santa Cruz County Bank is a top-rated community bank with a focus on serving the banking needs of businesses and individuals along the Central Coast and in Silicon Valley. We engage in impactful volunteering and support the greater economic vitality within our tri-county reach. Our success is due to our amazing team of exceptional, experienced, knowledgeable, and success-oriented employees.

We’ve been recognized with numerous community leadership awards and our team gives 500+ hours of volunteer service each year. A few honors we’ve received locally, include:

• GOOD TIMES BEST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Voted “Best Bank”, 10 consecutive years
• SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL READERS’ CHOICE Voted #1 Best Bank, 6th year
• SANTA CRUZ WAVES MAGAZINE Swellies Award, 4th year
• SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK Big Step and Platinum Award for Holiday Food Drive

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The BSA Specialist will assist with the administrating bank wide, day-to-day compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), USA PATRIOT Act/Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) laws, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) regulations. It is expected the BSA Specialist will stay abreast and be knowledgeable of all BSA/AML and OFAC regulations. Furthermore, it is expected the BSA Specialist will assist in monitoring the BSA/AML regulatory environment and trends for developments and industry best practices.

The BSA Specialist will assist in working with internal and external auditors and regulatory examiners, providing timely delivery of all requested documentation and information. This will include preparing of material for BSA/AML internal audits and regulatory examinations.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Assist with administrating bank wide, day-to-day compliance with the BSA/AML laws, and OFAC regulations.
• Assist with developing, implementing and overseeing all aspects of the Bank’s BSA/AML and OFAC compliance programs, including identifying risks related to the specific products, services, customers, entities and geographic locations unique to the Bank.
• Assisting with management of all BSA/AML and OFAC related policies, procedures, and risk assessments including ensuring the documents are updated at regularly scheduled intervals and to address internal developments or regulatory changes.
• Assist with the OFAC compliance program to assure it has the necessary internal controls to identify suspect accounts and transactions as well processes for the timely updating of the lists of blocked countries, entities, and individuals.
• Assist in overseeing the Bank has comprehensive Customer Due Diligence (“CDD”) policies, procedures, and processes for all customers, particularly those that present a higher risk for money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Assist in overseeing the Bank’s Enhanced Due Diligence (“EDD”) for higher-risk customer and ensure these customers and relationships are reviewed with greater depth and frequency and perform site visits as necessary.
• Assist in managing the Bank’s Customer Identification Program (“CIP”) that is appropriate for its size and type of business and consistent with regulatory guidance in section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act.
• Assist in overseeing the Bank’s adherence with 314(a), 314(b), Currency Transaction Reporting (“CTR”), Suspicious Activity Reporting (“SAR”) regulatory obligations and expectations.
• Assist with investigating and determining whether to file SARs.
• Assist with adequate monitoring of systems and processes by conducting comprehensive transaction monitoring, including the internal automated transaction monitoring solution (“Verafin”).
• Assist with processes for identifying subjects of law enforcement requests such as grand jury subpoenas and National Security Letters and consider the impact of any such request to the Bank’s overall risk-based BSA/AML compliance program.
• Assist with BSA training, on an annual basis.
• Assist as a point of contact for internal and external auditors and regulatory examiners on any BSA/AML or OFAC matter.
• Assist in the with annual independent audit or review of the Bank’s BSA Compliance Program, ensure the audit or review is sufficiently independent and detailed in its scope.
• Assist with the recommended corrective actions from an audit or exam, are appropriately addressed and response or corrective action is sufficiently documented.
• Possess knowledge of the Bank Protection Act requirements and the implementation of those requirements at the Bank
• Participate in compliance activities and any other tasks assigned by the VP, BSA Officer or EVP, Chief Risk Officer.
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Adaptability & Accountability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, accepts criticism and feedback, changes approach or method to best fit the situation and takes responsibility for own actions.
• Attendance & Punctuality: Schedules time off in advance, begins working on time, keeps absences within guidelines, ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent and arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Analytical Skills: Synthesizes complex or diverse information, collects and researches data when necessary, identifies data relationships, designs work flows and procedures, analyzes assigned tasks, resources and workflow processes to prioritize projects and determine best way of meeting deadlines and requirements.
• Communication: Expresses ideas and thoughts both verbally and in written form, exhibits good listening skills and comprehension, responds well to questions, writes clearly and informatively and edits work for spelling and grammar. Presents accurate numerical data effectively.
• Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions timely, exhibits sound and accurate judgment, supports and explains reasoning for decisions, includes appropriate people in decision-making process and takes responsibility for communication including what is heard.
• Teamwork / Morale: Treats others with respect and courtesy, gives and welcomes feedback, inspires the trust of others, exhibits tact and consideration, displays positive outlook and pleasant manner, offers assistance and support to co-workers, works cooperatively in group situations Engages consistently in professional behavior.
• Business Ethics: Works with integrity and ethically, upholds organizational values and abides by written policies.
• Compliance: Within specified functional area of authority, is personally accountable to understand and ensure regulatory and policy compliance with state and federal requirements including but not limited to: all applicable consumer protection laws and regulations governing financial institutions, the Bank’s Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering and OFAC (BSA/AML/OFAC) in accordance with his/her respective job duties and responsibilities
• Confidentiality: Maintains a high degree of confidentiality. When sending confidential electronic communications outside the internal Bank network, use [Secure] in the subject line.
• Organization: Maintains continuous workflow to meet daily/weekly/monthly deadlines.

Job Qualifications:

Must be able to perform all the essential duties of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum three (3) years of BSA/AML or related experience.
• Good understanding of all BSA/AML laws, regulations and guidelines.
• Previous experience working with automated transaction monitoring systems.
• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact with all levels of Bank employees, external auditors and examiners.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of Verifin a plus

Computer & Software Skills:

• Must have foundational computer skills including: Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook email and calendaring) and the Internet.

Reasoning & Mental Abilities

• Uses planning and evaluation skills to develop successful outcomes.
• Makes sound decisions and sets goals based on available information to evaluate situations and requirements to plan and adjust work accordingly.
• Projects accurate future occurrences based on current or historic data.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Vacation, sick leave, paid holidays
• Paid volunteer time
• Employer paid life insurance, long term and short term disability
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Ongoing training, professional development and career advancement opportunities

Travel:

• Occasional local travel.

Commitment to Compliance

The Board of Directors and Management of the Bank are committed to maintaining an effective compliance management system not only within the Bank, but also to third-party providers, thereby fostering a positive environment for compliance throughout the Bank and facilitating a corporate culture which encourages ethical conduct and compliance with regulatory requirements, including but limited to demonstrating clear and unequivocal compliance expectations for all employees. Employee shall be accountable for performance of compliance duties in his/her own work and shall maintain a working knowledge of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable consumer protection laws, rules and regulations governing the Bank, specifically, how they apply to their respective position(s) and/or area(s) of responsibility. Employees shall make every effort to contribute to the overall compliance requirements of his/her business unit and the Bank. Further, it is incumbent on each employee to report to management any activities that are deemed non-compliant for its reporting to the appropriate board-level committee. Employee shall also complete (with passing score) requisite training specific to his/her job duties and area(s) of responsibility.

In accordance with the Bank’s Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering and OFAC (BSA/AML/OFAC) Compliance Programs and applicable implementing regulations, Employee shall maintain basic knowledge of said laws, rules and regulations and shall be accountable for ensuring BSA/AML/OFAC compliance in connection with his/her respective job duties and area(s) of responsibility, including but not limited completion of requisite training.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is in regular communication, is required to use various tools or objects, and have the mobility to move about the office. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Recruiting Process

If your application is selected, we'll reach out to schedule an interview where you'll meet various members of our team. If you are selected to continue in the process, we'll schedule a follow up meeting where you'll meet key colleagues who frequently interact with in this role. If you are offered and accept the job, we'll begin the background screening process and prepare for your starting day!

Ready to apply? If this career opportunity sounds like a fit for you, then click on the ‘apply’ button below and we'll reach out to you with next steps!