Serves as lead collections investigator over other collection staff and performs advanced work in administering, enforcing, and collecting on court orders or judgments entered with respect to fines, fees, restitution, or any other accounts receivable of the court, judicial district, or Judicial Department.

This position is distinguished from the Collections Investigator position by the additional duties associated with serving in a lead capacity over two or more employees designated as collection staff. 

Designs and implements work processes for the collections team in a manner that maintains efficient operations and is consistent with state standards and guidelines, statutes, Chief Justice Directives, or other applicable rules and regulations.  This may include the preparation of written policies and procedures for the collections team as directed by district management and approved by the collections administration unit of State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO).

 

Plans, organizes, and assigns work and duties to collections team members.

 

Investigates and facilitates resolutions to customer complaints and other difficult or complex inquires.

 

Takes appropriate measures to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.

 

Serves as liaison and the primary representative of the collections unit to district supervisors and management, the collections administration unit of SCAO, and other judicial system personnel.

 

Acts as the lead collections team contact person for the most difficult policy and procedural questions.

 

Interacts with judges, court administration, clerks, probation officers, and other agencies and offices to obtain or share information and coordinate collection activities.

 

Attempts to collect full payment on court receivables upon assessment and minimize the duration and quantity of payment plans granted based upon each person’s unique and specific financial circumstances.

 

Conducts face-to-face interviews with defendants or other parties required to pay financial assessments and investigates their eligibility for payment plans (schedules).

 

Analyzes defendants’ and other parties’ financial abilities based upon written and oral information, and online or other investigative research.

 

Establishes, documents, and maintains payment plans.

 

Interacts with defendants and other parties (i.e., victims, attorneys, etc.) in writing, by phone or in person.

 

Identifies delinquent accounts and determines and initiates appropriate procedures to resolve the delinquency.

 

Executes and tracks the full range of authorized collection enforcement remedies.

 

Conducts research and skip-tracing using various databases and tools to locate, investigate, and contact persons owing monies to the court.

 

Effectively utilizes the services of private collection companies under contract with the Judicial Department.

 

Enters, maintains, and updates case information related to collections.

 

Prepares special case reports for judges or magistrates and testifies concerning case collection matters as needed.

 

Researches and resolves collection account discrepancies and troubleshoots related problems in cooperation with the clerk of court, accounting, and other personnel as needed.

 

Reviews bankruptcy notices related to accounts being collected, and processes them according to departmental policies and procedures.

 

Compiles and maintains statistics and data on collection performance and provides related reports to supervisor, court management, and others in the court system as required.

 

Participates in the development of collection related forms, policies and procedures.

 

Attends meetings and training, including those designated for lead collections investigators or supervisory staff, as required.

 

Performs other duties as assigned.

This position has supervisory accountability over at least two other employees designated as collections staff, as described under “Distinguishing Factors”, and provides guidance, assistance, or mentorship to less experienced coworkers, volunteers, or interns in a unit.  Instructs in work methods and reviews work product of subordinates.  Plans, directs and coordinates activities for a unit(s).  Duties may include scheduling and assigning work, training in all facets of work, quality control, and decisions impacting the pay, status and tenure of others.  May conduct performance appraisals and provide input into and participate in discipline, dismissal, and hiring processes.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in the field of business administration, accounting, criminal justice, psychology, sociology or related field; or four years of experience conducting financial or collection related interviews and investigations, credit management or related experience.  One year supervisory experience or one year of experience serving in a lead capacity over other employees is preferred.

 

OR

 

Any equivalent combination of education or experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis. However, the one year of supervisory or lead capacity experience is still preferred.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to perform repetitive motions, talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to walk/move about.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  May handle emergency or crisis situations; is subject to many interruptions; may handle multiple calls and inquiries simultaneously; and may occasionally handle absentee replacement on short notice.