Collections Specialist (LTE, ~18 months)

Company: Waukesha County
Location: Waukesha
Posted on: June 6, 2021

Job Description:

Description

Waukesha County's Department of Administration - Collections Division has an opening for a full-time, limited term (~18 months) non-benefitted* Collections Specialist position.

• see Supplemental Section below for information on the Wisconsin Retirement System andACAhealth insurance.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with the potential of becoming a full-time County position depending on collection success and position creation by County Board.

Hiring Pay Range:$22.81/hr - $24.00/hr.

The primary focus of the positionis the collection of accountsthrough telephone outreach, closing accounts through payment in full, establishing payment arrangements and increasing revenue generation. After the initial 30 day training period, the successful candidate will be expected to process over 100 accounts per day with a minimum revenue generation of $35,000 per month and will be expected to establish an increase of these benchmarks on a continuous basis.

The Collection Division services government agencies both internal and external to the County.The types of debts include but are not limited to: fines and forfeitures; court obligations from Family, Probate, Juvenile, Criminal and Traffic; Health and Human Services obligations; Sheriff's Department Huber and jail fees; fees assessed by school districts; ambulance service obligations and other government debt.

The ideal candidate will have:

• strong computer literacy skills;
• familiarity with HIPAA and PCI compliance regulations;
• attention to detail to ensure processes and procedures are being met;
• experience collecting the types of collection obligations noted above; and
• ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing while using persuasive techniques to overcome objections and unwillingness.

About Us

Waukesha County prides itself on operating in a business-like manner and is recognized as a leader delivering high quality services with competence and skill. With our vision of "Leading the Way", we value teamwork and collaboration, ethics and diversity, communication, efficiency and cost savings, innovation, and the wellbeing of our staff and the citizens we serve. Example of Duties

• Initiates communication with debtor to affect payment in full of accounts due the County and contacts insurance companies, attorneys, responsible parties, employers, and/or other public and private entities to affect collection.
• Analyzes and researches debtor's financial statements and resources using public records and other sources; and determines and negotiates re-payment schedules based on this information.
• Evaluates status of accounts including total cost of collection, and makes recommendations for compromise settlements, litigation, write-off, or referral of accounts for outside collection.
• Conducts skiptrace and investigative work to locate debtors with unpaid or delinquent accounts using credit bureaus, neighbors, government agencies, the Internet, and other related sources.
• Conducts on the spot ability to pay determinations for adjudicated and/or incarcerated individuals; establishes payment plans; and makes recommendations to the court regarding re-payment of debt.
• Recommends and prepares litigation request form for supervisor to execute and release liens against property and/or promissory agreements to protect the County's financial interests, including issuing debtors tax intercept letters.
• Drafts and processes collections correspondence, notices, and/or responses.
• Serves as a liaison with County departments, municipalities, attorneys, and the courts.
• Provides testimony and information to the Courts as needed.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of detailed documents, information, and reports to be used to justify and pursue litigation.
• Provides information, responds to inquires and disputes, and explains the statutory provisions relating to liability for payment to debtor, attorneys, insurance companies and/or other parties.
• Reviews accounts for discrepancies in amounts owed and reconciles accounts.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relations with County departments, State of Wisconsin agencies, insurance companies, legal community, local agencies and institutions, and other private and public sector entities.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Knowledge and Abilities

• Working knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures used in securing information from legal and financial records, agencies, and individuals.
• Working knowledge of the statutory recovery provisions relating to human services, institutions, legal settlements, guardianship, public defender fees, probate, guardian ad litems, return checks, fines and forfeitures, and other collections.
• Working knowledge of collection law including the Wisconsin State Statutes and Administrative Code, the Federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Practices Act, and the US Bankruptcy Code.
• Working knowledge of modern collection methods, techniques, and procedures including skiptracing.
• Working knowledge of litigation processes, legal methods of enforcement, and required court documents and filing requirements.
• Working knowledge of computerized department program software, Internet access, and processing programs.
• Ability to obtain information through interviews, research and investigation and securing of documents; analyze and organize information; and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to investigate and identify potential assets of referred accounts and interpret and analyze financial information.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and by using persuasive techniques to overcome objections and unwillingness.
• Ability to effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyles.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with County Departments, State of Wisconsin agencies, insurance companies, legal community, local agencies and institutions, and other private and public sector entities.
• Ability to answer inquiries and confer with attorneys, private agencies, citizens and public officials regarding the laws, policies and regulations governing collections.
• Ability to work independently and exercise discretion and judgment.
• Ability to prepare, present, and maintain accurate reports and records.
• Ability to utilize word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to utilize, telephone, computer, keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working and public relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

You must meet these minimum Training and Experience requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience involving independent research, investigation, paralegal work, financial collections, or closely related activities.

Supplemental Information

Prior to hiring, candidate(s) are required to pass a Driver's License and Police background check.

Eligibility for:

• State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds Wisconsin Retirement System pension: As this position is expected to work more than 1,200 hours in its 12-month limited term capacity, the individual hired for this position will automatically be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System. This pension is administered by the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. You are required to pay the employee's share of contributions to the fund, while Waukesha County contributes the employer's share. To view employee/employer contribution rates, visit Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds' website and type in WRS Contribution Rates in the search box.

• ACA Health Insurance Program provides medical insurance and access to the County's Health and Wellness Center. Coverage effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment. The County contributes 75% of the cost of the lowest cost Single plan's monthly premium; difference between this contribution and full monthly premiums is the participant's share.

Keywords: Waukesha County, Waukesha , Collections Specialist (LTE, ~18 months), Other , Waukesha, Wisconsin