Collection Agent - II

Placer County has a current Collection Agent vacancy in the Revenue Services Division of Administrative Services.  Revenue Services is located in the South Placer Justice Center in Roseville.  The working hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

The Collection Agent assigned to this position, once trained, 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, in general, master the collection system to appropriately and effectively work the debts assigned.  The Collection Agent will display a professional manner while showing debtors how to pay debts in full.  Proper grammar, math, typing, and negotiation 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.

The desired candidate for the current vacancy will be proficient in Spanish, however, this list may be used to fill future, non-bilingual positions as they arise. 

To compile and evaluate information needed to collect delinquent accounts; collect 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 with court/county departments, appear in court as necessary, 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 Manager or assigned supervisor and technical and functional supervision from the assigned Senior Collection Agent or assigned supervisory or management personnel.

May exercise technical supervision over secretarial and accounting clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Obtain collections on delinquent accounts through correspondence, telephone communications and personal interviews.
• Confer with Revenue Manager 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; represent the County at the small claims court and may testify on other legal cases filed by the County Counsel or District Attorney; prepare draft legal documents for review by assigned legal counsel.
• Interview clients to obtain information for completion of financial statements and other information to determine payment schedules on accounts owed.
• Contact businesses, neighbors, credit unions and other leads to trace and contact persons with delinquent accounts.
• 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.
• Prepare statements of amounts due; prepare installment payment receipts; and maintain files and records pertaining to accounts.
• 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 applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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.

Collection Agent I

Knowledge of:

• Financial record keeping.
• Sources of information used in locating persons.
• Methods used for the collection of delinquent accounts.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand at counter for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; communicate clearly by telephone and in person; lift light weight.
• Intermittently, 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.
• 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.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Write and speak clearly and effectively.

Collection Agent II

In addition to the qualifications for Collection Agent I:

Knowledge of:

• 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 in assigned department.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand at counter for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; write and use keyboard to communicate through written means; communicate clearly by telephone and in person; lift light weight.
• Intermittently, 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.
• 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 for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

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 now 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 and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel 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 Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit