BSA Specialist II

Job Description

Job Description

As a member of BrightStar Credit Union, you'll join a dynamic company culture and purpose-driven organization that focuses on its employees and members. We offer excellent benefits, advanced opportunities, and exceptional training. Founded in 1946 as a community-based credit union serving educators, we have since expanded to serve 23 counties across the state of Florida. As a Trusted Advisor, BrightStar offers a diverse range of financial services and opportunities. BrightStar Credit Union is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone has the chance to succeed and feel a sense of belonging. Our work environment is fun, fast-paced, and service-oriented.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401K Plan with Matching
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Supplemental Benefits
• Engagement Area
• Wellness Studio & Gym at our Corporate Headquarters
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Contributions

About the Role:

The primary role of this position is to make a difference in our member’s financial lives. The BSA Specialist is responsible for conducting moderate to complex BSA/AML reviews, including alert investigations, SAR drafting, CTR completion, 314 searches, and enhanced due diligence reviews. This role supports BSA leadership by ensuring timely regulatory filings, accurate documentation, and quality casework for audits, exams, and board reporting.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide outstanding Bright Service to each internal and external member as defined by our Service Standards and Promises.
• Responsible for the review and investigation of AML alerts across multiple channels (ACH, wires, cash, checks, P2P, debit/credit card and online banking).
• Perform and document full SAR investigations from initial alerts through case development and final decisioning. Drafting SAR narratives and continuing activity SARs ensuring reports are filed withing regulatory timeframes and maintaining all required retention.
• Identify unusual patterns of activity, structuring, layering, funneling, elder exploitation, mule activity and account takeover.
• Completes all CTRs accurately and in a timely manner. Maintains CTR records for audit and exam readiness.
• Analyze and monitor potential OFAC matches by reviewing alerts, documentation and decisioning. Escalate confirmed or high-risk OFAC concerns as stated in our BSA policy.
• Conduct and document bi-weekly 314(a) searches. Maintains 314(b) communications.
• Performs Enhanced Due Diligence reviews for high-risk members such as NGOs, cash intensive businesses/individuals, RDC users, business members utilizing Treasury Services, and foreign individuals.
• Provide data for BSA/AML board reports including alert volumes, SAR and CTR statistics, for completed EDD reviews, and high-risk member activity.
• Responds and conducts reviews for subpoena information request, law enforcement and government agencies requests to ensure responses are accurate, timely, and well documented.
• Assist BSA leadership with audit and exam requests.
• Maintain knowledge with BSA Compliance training and certifications.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Performance Measurements:

• Provide outstanding service to internal and external members as defined by our service standards and promises.
• Ensure that all timeliness for all regulatory filings is met.
• Accuracy and Quality of Investigations are documented thoroughly and consistently.
• Quality of EDD and high-risk reviews are complete and support risk rating decisions.
• Follows BSA/AML/OFAC laws, internal policies and credit union standards.
• Communicates effectively with BSA leadership and works cooperatively with Frad and Compliance departments.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of BSA/AML/OFAC regulations by completing and maintaining required training and certification.

Minimum Expectations of Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience - two to four years of direct BSA/AML experience in a financial institution
• Education - (1) A two-year college degree, or (2) completion of a specialized certification or licensing preferred (ACAMS, Americas Credit Unions compliance certification) or (3) Minimum of three to five (3-5) years of work experience.
• Qualifications - Be able to multitask and work well under pressure, Strong problem solving and analytical skills, Exceptional written and verbal communication. Ability to conduct Enhanced Due Diligence reviews for high-risk members and businesses. Experience with Verafin AML system preferred.
• Interpersonal Skills- Work involves much personal contact with others inside and/or outside the organization for the purpose of first-level conflict resolution, building relationships, and soliciting cooperation. Discussions involve a higher degree of confidentiality and discretion, requiring diplomacy and tact in communication.
• Other Skills- Effective communication both orally, and in writing, with employees, other organizations, and the general public to explain general established policies, procedures, and systems. Must have knowledge of regulations, and procedures related to BSA/AML.

Competencies:

• Communication-20
• Decision Making/Judgement-20
• Customer Service-20
• Job Knowledge-20
• Initiative-20

Compliance:

Every employee must uphold the credit union's compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering policies and procedures. Specific functions with B.S.C.U. will consider the awareness of unusual or suspicious activity that is relevant to the department.

• In addition to any other assigned training courses, online B.S.A. and O.F.A.C. courses must be completed at least annually, as made available by the Training and Compliance Department.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act, Customer Identification Program, U.S.A. Patriot Act, O.F.A.C., Fair Lending, and Credit Card Act.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

BrightStar Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. BrightStar Credit Union is a Drug-Free Workplace