Collection Enforcement Officer (#MABZ50)
$39,654.00 Yearly Min / $49,567.00 Yearly Mid / $59,480.00 Yearly Max

An incumbent in this class develops, coordinates, and implements debt collection enforcement programs to recover misspent and fraudulently obtained benefits from human service programs administered by the Department of Health and Social Services.

An incumbent in this class reports to a technical superior and is responsible for processing cases of debtors who have admitted to or been found guilty of accepting benefits in excess of that to which they are entitled. Work involves ensuring repayment of debts owed by administering various collection programs that include enforcement of court orders, wage attachments, recoupment, restitution, litigation, tax refund interception, and other methods as determined appropriate to ensure recovery of delinquent payments. Work includes reviewing established case files, auditing accounting records, and payment history to verify that all information is accurate, complete, and supportive of possible legal action to be taken in accordance with established Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations as well as Department program policies and procedures.  In addition, incumbents chair various state committees and represent the State at Federal and State regional and national conferences. Incumbents coordinate activities with employers, clients, and debtors and personnel of the Judicial system, Internal Revenue Service, Social Services, Child Support Enforcement, and Departments of Justice, Finance, Labor, and Correction for the purpose of obtaining, verifying, and providing information and initiating and processing legal action to secure repayment of delinquent debts. 

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Implements, maintains, and monitors various programs by coordinating administrative details for program activities such as negotiating agreements between the department and other agencies who administer programs involving the interception of tax refunds, drafting standard letters, ensuring data transmission requirements are met, etc.
    
•  Ensures program activities are conducted in accordance with Federal, State, and department requirements.
   
• Audits debt receivable records and related case files to ensure clients/debtors received all due process rights and determine status of account, previous payment and/or collection activity, and accuracy and completeness of information; determines appropriate action needed to recover repayments.
   
• Represents the Department in the Justice of the Peace Courts on action for debt; provides evidence to substantiate department's position to obtain judgement.
   
•  Presents findings in administrative and fair hearings.
   
• Prepares and processes documents required by various agencies to initiate appropriate recovery activities such as wage attachments, extensions on liens, and tax refund interceptions.
   
• Prepares and maintains financial records, State and Federal reports and findings relating to accounts' status and collection activities and submits to appropriate authorities/agencies.
   
• Provides information to various agencies regarding status of accounts/debtors.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of State and Federal fiscal, accounting, auditing, and reporting requirements related to collection of debts.
• Knowledge of due process rights.
• Knowledge of debt collection procedures and practices, including court and administrative review hearing processes.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations governing the collection of debts related to welfare benefits programs.
• Ability to interpret and apply public welfare, civil and criminal laws, rules, and regulations to the collection of overpayments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and staff of other agencies.
• Ability to research, review, evaluate and explain a variety of demographic, accounting, credit records and reports to determine and enforce appropriate debt collection action.
• Ability to use automated computer software to prepare text files, run programs, and transmit data.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records, proposals, manuals, and reports.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Collection Enforcement Officer
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Six months experience in debt collection in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
2. Six months experience in enforcing compliance with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
3. Six months experience in providing testimony before boards, commissions, administrative bodies or court officials.
4. Six months experience in narrative report writing. 
5. Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).