Collections Clerk II (#RO4602)
$24.52-$29.80 Hourly / $4,249.67-$5,165.50 Monthly / $50,996.04-$61,986.01 Yearly

Under general supervision, contacts individuals to collect debts owed to the County; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the journey worker class in the Collection Clerk series. Employees are required to communicate effectively with debtors in stressful situations and to use independent judgment in persuading debtors to meet financial obligations. Work is performed primarily in the office but employees may also make field contacts.

• Interviews clients who have incurred or will incur debts with the County to determine financial assets and liabilities of the debtors.
• Determines ability of clients to pay; establishes and renegotiates payment plans; may investigate and refer clients to potential sources of financial assistance; may request "orders to examine".
• Provides information to clients regarding the amount owed and actions, which may be taken to collect the debt; obtains grants of lien on property of clients and promissory notes.
• Recommends when a delinquent account is uncollectable; determines when a delinquent account is not collectable without legal actions; prepares cases to be processed for legal action; may request the County in Small Claims Court.
• Verifies information obtained from clients by identifying, locating and contacting clients' creditors, insurance carriers, credit agencies and others with knowledge of the clients' status.
• Completes forms and maintains records necessary to document case history and status and to provide information to those responsible for subsequent steps in the collection process; fills out forms for computer input.

Experience:  Two years of clerical work with primary responsibility for contacting debtors to obtain payments on delinquent accounts, one year of which must have included gathering information regarding financial assets of individuals, establishing payment plans and maintaining related records.

Basic procedures used in the collection of accounts; regulations regarding collection procedures, fundamental aspects of human behavior; principles of interviewing; public relations techniques; standard office procedures and practices; basic mathematics.

Follow oral and written directions; read, understand and apply regulations and other job related materials; maintain records; deal tactfully with public in stressful situations; interview; gather, record and evaluate information; establish effective working relationships.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.