Collections Officer, Senior

JOB SPECIFICS

This Collections Officer Senior position is in the Community Services Department and will act as the subject matter expert for county collections best practices and regulatory requirements. Employees in this class perform varied and complex financial duties utilizing highly specialized knowledge of financial records and systems. This position plans, organizes and coordinates collecting funds from individuals in debt to the department and using independent judgment, initiative and discretion is responsible for pursuing payment of these financial obligations.

Washington County Community Services values your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. We are committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment where differences are valued and accepted. We believe diversity benefits and enriches our work and helps us to effectively deliver services to our employees and communities. This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

• Three or more years of government/human services/medical collections experience
• Paid work experience as a team lead, serving as a government/human services/medical collections subject matter expert
• Previous experience developing processes to optimize workflow, internal controls, technical functionality, and cost efficiency
• Demonstrates an ability to work on a diverse team and promote an inclusive, culturally competent, and respectful workplace

SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

HOURS / DAYS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs. 

ANTICIPATED HIRING RATE: $31.74 - $43.30 per Hour

E-Verify Participation: Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
E- Verify Participation Poster  (Download PDF reader)
Right to work Poster  (Download PDF reader) 
JOB SUMMARY
The Collections Officer, Senior serves as a lead worker by developing and coordinating countywide collections processes, assuming responsibility for the most difficult collections cases, preparing reports, balancing accounts and is responsible for collecting money owed to the County.
EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires an Associate's Degree in accounting, business, administration, public administration or a related field and four years of collections experience, one year of which must have been with County collections, or equivalent.

CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
• Support and prioritize a welcoming and respectful workplace that fosters diversity and encourages contributions from all individuals;
• Provide inclusive and equitable service to all members of the community with dignity and respect;
• Demonstrate support for the County’s diversity, equity and inclusion program;
• Demonstrates knowledge of laws governing collections;
• Demonstrates ability to work with attorneys to abide by laws and statutes when pursuing legal options (garnishing wages);
• Demonstrates ability to develop related guidelines and training materials;
• Demonstrates skills in accounting computer applications and the ability to train others;
• Demonstrates skills in media relations and public speaking communications;
• Demonstrates skills in advanced negotiation;
• Demonstrates ability to maintain a courteous and professional manner when working with the most difficult or adversarial individuals and to provide guidance to others in similar cases;
• Demonstrates ability to adjust an approach or method with an individual in collections that best fits the situation; and
• Demonstrates ability to influence individuals in collections and negotiate payment plan options and recover debt.
 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the lead collections agent:
• Review databases that hold records of outstanding debts such as: bad checks, judgments, custody and visitation evaluation fees, placement fees, overpayments of benefits, library fees, taxes, out of home placement fees, or fraud that qualifies for collections;
• Determine collections actions to be taken on each case;
• Determine if accounts are collectible;
• Create an account in the corrections system/databases and use reports to monitor and prioritize collections activities and collection officers priorities;
• Initiate telephone contact with a debtor, review what is owed to the County, and negotiate a viable repayment agreement;
• Act as liaison between County departments and debtors when there is a discrepancy regarding the amount of the debt, or the services rendered;
• Prepare and send letters to individuals not available by telephone;
• Assume responsibility for cases that are highly emotionally charged;
• Maintain collections accounts to initiate monthly billings, receipt payments, balance accounts at month-end, and close individual accounts paid-in-full; and
• Coordinate inter-county and interstate collections activities with State and Federal agencies and submit reports concerning collections activities.

Determine the course of action for unpaid accounts:
• Evaluate case records;
• Initiate legal action to obtain judgments;
• Represent the County's position at court hearings;
• Seek reimbursements through statutory collections procedures;
• File claims and monitor bankruptcy cases; and
• Certify debts for collections through the use of the Minnesota Revenue Recapture Act.

Develop and revise collections policies to maintain regulatory compliance:
• Analyze, research and interpret state and federal collections rules and regulations;
• Consult with County departments regarding application of rules and regulations;
• Design collections processes and draft standard operating procedures;
• Create statistical and narrative reports explaining collections activities; and
• Identify and implement new ways to collect debts owed (automatic renewals of judgment accounts and holding Department of Motor Vehicles tabs from individuals who submit nonsufficient funds checks).

Serve as the lead worker for the Collections Unit:
• Assign and review work of Collections and technical staff to ensure compliance with state and federal rules and regulations;
• Serve as the administrator for a number of software programs used by the unit and department;
• Assist management with identifying and implementing of collections software;
• Develop training plans and facilitate training;
• Provide input to department managers on staff and unit performance;
• Prepare statistical reports about case openings and closings and amounts collected, including referrals;
• Disperse collections to County departments using the accounting system;
• Prepare collection service billings to County departments;
• Act as the collections liaison to State departments and outside collection agencies;
• Serve on statewide committees; attend and speaks at professional organization activities, collections/group
• Take accounts to court in other counties; and
• Reconcile monthly numbers and prepare adjusting journal entries

Perform other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Work performed is sedentary in nature, and typically performed within the Government Center or a satellite office. Lifting requirement of up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, typewriter, calculator, telephone, scanner, and microfiche reader, and copy and fax machine.

Work interruptions are frequent.  There is some pressure associated with dealing with individuals who may be emotionally charged and with project or activity deadlines and details. Driving or riding to work at a service center, attend meetings, participate in or lead training sessions, etc. may be required. Must have own means of reliable transportation for business purposes; individuals operating a motor vehicle for county business must possess a valid driver's license.

Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.

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