Collection Agent - II

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, westward through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel, the beautiful North Shore of Lake Tahoe, in the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer County is a great place to live, visit, and work.

For more information about living and working in Placer County, please go to www.visitplacer.com.

The Collection Agent II will readily know the answers to frequently asked questions. He/she will develop technical knowledge to add, change, and delete information in file screens, memorize action codes, properly use forms for department networking, use skip tracing methods, and master the collection system to appropriately and effectively work the debts assigned. The Collection Agent II will display a professional manner while showing debtors how to pay debts in full. Proper grammar, math, and typing skills will assist the agent in finding result-oriented solutions that best resolve issues for all parties.

The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation, investigation, and communication skills with experience working in a collections environment locating individuals and their assets. He/she will demonstrate the ability to work productively and with attention to detail, handling frequent inbound and outbound phone calls to extract and synthesize pertinent information from a variety of individuals. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be highly organized and flexible with workload changes. He/she will be able to maintain accurate case records and will be comfortable using a variety of computer and online software applications.

To compile and evaluate information needed to collect on delinquent accounts; collect on delinquent accounts using written, telephone, and personal communications; make initial determinations or recommendations of appropriate action in collection cases; to administer collection programs in line departments; and work within a department as assigned.

This is the full journey level class within the Collection Agent series.  This class is distinguished from the Collection Agent I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Collection Agent in that the latter is an advanced journey level and functions as a lead supervisor over other collection agents.

Receives general supervision from the Revenue Services Supervisor or assigned supervisor and technical and functional supervision from the assigned Senior Collection Agent, or assigned supervisory or management personnel.

• Obtain collections on delinquent accounts through correspondence, telephone communications, and personal interviews.
• Confer with Revenue Services Supervisor or assigned supervisor and/or staff of the County Counsel/District Attorney regarding the initiation of legal actions; assist County Counsel/District Attorney in providing information needed for legal actions.
• Explain and interpret assignment specialty area policies and procedures to internal or external customers; explain information to customers regarding amounts owed, fees, and payment options.
• Interview clients to obtain information for completion of financial statements and other information to determine payment schedules on accounts owed.
• Contact businesses, credit unions, and other leads to trace and contact persons with delinquent accounts.
• Use delegated software from outside agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Franchise Tax Board, courts, etc., to locate clients and obtain demographic information.
• Receive and process financial or statistical documents; screen for accuracy and adherence to legal and procedural requirements.
• Determine client eligibility and make recommendations for specific programs and waivers using established practices.
• Enter information into a personal computer or automated system for the maintenance of records and reports indicating the status of collection activities; maintain case tracking system.
• Make mathematical calculations related to payment schedules; accept payments and issue receipts.
• Prepare statements of amounts due; prepare installment payment receipts; and maintain files and records pertaining to accounts.
• Calculate, report, and maintain statistical data as requested.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible experience in collections work performing duties similar to a Collection Agent I in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

License or Certificate: May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Financial record keeping.
• Sources of information used in locating persons.
• Methods used for the collection of delinquent accounts.
• Computer software, including word processing, database, spreadsheet, and other related applications.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar; arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.
• Principles and practices of customer service and public contact.
• Particular provisions of laws, rules, or regulations enforced or administered by the County.
• General functions of a collection agency and commercial law applicable to collections.
• Operations, procedures, and regulations applicable to assignment.

Ability to:

• Learn the general functions of a collection agency and commercial law applicable to collections.
• Learn, interpret, and apply to specific cases, the provisions of laws, rules, or regulations enforced or administered by the County.
• Prepare reports and maintain records.
• Analyze situations accurately and take effective actions.
• Review documents related to department operations; observe, identify, and problem solve office operations and procedures; understand, interpret, and explain department policies and procedures; explain operations and problem solve office issues for the public and with staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview; communicate professionally and courteously with the public.
• Develop and maintain an efficient, calm demeanor when handling adverse situations.
• Use a personal computer and office equipment necessary for successful job performance.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Sit at a desk and/or stand at a counter for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist and reach for office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; communicate clearly by telephone and in person; lift light weight.
• Perform the general functions of a collection agency and apply commercial law applicable to collections.
• Interpret and apply to specific cases, the provisions of laws, rules, or regulations enforced or administered by the County.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications, and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at:
http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

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