County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to conduct financial hearings to determine and establish financial responsibility to responsible parties for services rendered by the County in connection with Adult and/or Juvenile court proceedings, to perform collections on current and delinquent accounts; and to perform other related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this classification are located in the Central Collections Division of the Office of the Auditor-Controller and are usually outstationed to work in offices where adult and/or juvenile court proceedings are being held; positions may also be located in the Superior Courts. In the juvenile court process, incumbents interview parents and guardians of juveniles who are under commitment by the Juvenile Courts; in the adult court process, incumbents interview defendants who have been referred by the courts.

The positions of Financial Hearing Officer differ from the Collection Enforcement Deputy series in that the Financial Hearing Officers determine the ability of responsible parties to reimburse the County for services rendered and make financial assessments, and handle collections as well as lead responsibility for one or more Collection Enforcement Deputies. Collection Enforcement Deputies perform collection on current and delinquent accounts, but do not conduct financial hearings nor do they perform lead responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Conducts financial hearings to obtain a variety of biographical, personal, and financial data to determine and establish responsible parties’ ability to reimburse the county for services rendered. Types of services and costs incurred may include Public Defender, formal probation, fees, weekend jail, court hearings, jury services, posting bails, and related court costs.

2. Makes an assessment of the amount due the County based on information provided by responsible parties and court orders; sets up a payment plan; verifies employment and financial information when necessary.

3. Reviews cases scheduled on the court calendar, when the calendar is available, in order to prepare for the financial hearings; reviews pertinent case information and documentation to assist in the financial determination; reviews court calendar and rough minutes to determine the disposition of cases already held.

4. Schedules financial hearing appointments with defendants, parents or guardians.

5. Sends in absentia letters to responsible parties either scheduling a financial hearing or notifying responsible parties of a financial determination which was made based on information available.

6. Explains financial obligations and possible ramifications for nonpayment of monies due the County to encourage responsible parties to make voluntary payments; provides the responsible parties with written verification of the financial assessment.

7. Maintains a log of all financial hearings and the disposition of each; provides Central Collections with a record of all financial hearings and the outcome of each; provides Central Collections with all documentation for each financial determination/assessment for the purpose of billing and collections.

8. Makes referrals to the Social Services Agency Trust Office for social security benefits when appropriate, especially when handling the juvenile hearings.

9. Receives payments for amounts due the county for services rendered; sends payments received to Central Collections for credit to the responsible party’s account; provides receipts for payments received; refers responsible parties to the appropriate location which will accept payments if that site does not.

10. Prepares a narrative report and organizes corresponding documentation when responsible parties appeal financial determination; makes court appearance and presentation if the appeal is not settled out of Court.

11. Operates computer terminal to input, retrieve or change data in performance of assigned duties as needed.

12. Collects monies due the County from an assigned group of current and/or delinquent accounts.

13. Uses a variety of skip tracing resources, including communications with various agencies and the public, establishes debtors’ and responsible relatives’ present whereabouts.

14. Receives work assignments and distributes to collection staff in accordance with workload and priorities; reviews work of collection staff for accuracy and completeness and for conformance with established procedures.

15. Assists collection staff in resolving problems encountered in their work; informs employees of new and revised procedures. Conducts training.

16. Completes assigned projects; coordinates several activities to meet critical deadlines, independently or cooperatively.

17. Assists the public (including stressful contacts with irate persons) with a wide range of customer inquires in a professional and courteous manner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of eighteen months of experience in the class of Collection Enforcement Deputy II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience in collections work.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.


NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Adult and/or Juvenile Court Procedures.
• Collection methods and practices.
• Court procedures for civil cases.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Modern office practices and procedures.
• Basic arithmetic.
• Computer systems; PC terminal operation.

Ability to:

• Conduct an interview under sensitive and/or hostile conditions.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret financial information.
• Make financial determinations and make the assessment.
• Perform basic arithmetic computations to calculate liability and set up payment plans.
• Maintain accurate files and records; to communicate in writing.
• Organize work and establish priorities.
• Work cooperatively with other staff, outside agencies, other departments and the general public.
• Communicate effectively with persons from a wide variety of ethnic and social backgrounds.
• Work independently.
• Lead others in the performance of their assigned duties.
• Work effectively within a diverse community and under changing work conditions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

IB:bw l2/2/8O
IB:bw l2/2/8O
TB:pb Revised: 3/18/88
Old doc: 0163h
New doc: 1426.doc
ys/12/00
CSC Date: 4/20/88
BG:pf Rev. 12/17/04
CSC Date: 2/16/2005
SG:cs Revised 6/2/11
CSC Date: 10/05/11

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.