Collection Officer

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF VENTURA

COURT COLLECTION OFFICER I/II

The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill present and future regular, part-time, fixed-term, intermittent and extra help positions at Ventura, Simi Valley, and Oxnard
Superior Court locations.

SALARY RANGES:
Court Collection Officer I - $10.34 - $15.21
Court Collection Officer II - $12.63 - $18.13
FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment; however, the recruitment may be closed at any time.

Definition:

Under general supervision (I), direction (II, III, and IV), collects monies owed the Superior Court and other agencies for services rendered and/or fines, fees levied; and performs related duties as required.

Court Collection Officer I is the entry-level classification of this series. Incumbents gain experience and demonstrate competency in collections, practices and techniques within court collections.

Court Collection Officer II is the journey level classification of this series. Incumbents manage a full caseload within the area of court collection account specialization; may return cases to court or initiate property liens for failure to pay.

Court Collection Officer III is the advanced journey level classification of this series.  Incumbents file small claims actions, provide testimony in court and/or seize unsecured property (e.g. boats, airplanes) to recover money owed in addition to other activities associated with managing a court collections caseload.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Depending on assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Manages a caseload of collection accounts; establishes debtor account records to determine delinquent balance, evaluates payment history and verifies client information pertinent to the collection of fees, fines (e.g., address, employment, earnings/assets, bank of record); investigates changes in financial status; establishes and implements course of action to collect monies owed.

Contact debtors to modify payment schedule, update case records or explain legal obligations, penalties for and consequences of non-payment and regulations/rules/procedures related to payment of account.

Locates debtors by contacting relatives, neighbors, bank of record officials and employer(s) or through researching tax roll, voter registration, court document and other official information sources.

Analyzes account to provide client with payment and fee/penalty information and to determine the need for payment plan modification or civil and/or criminal legal action.

Updates manual and/or automated case files; prepares routine correspondence and reports; may supervise or provide functional supervision over clerical support staff; may collect and receive money as payment on account.

In addition to the above, the Court Collection Officer III may perform the following:

Obtains documentation and files for legal action in Small Claims Court and/or provides counsel with detailed information needed to pursue civil or criminal prosecution; represents department in court hearings and provides testimony.

Files documents to obtain summary judgments or to execute liens, garnishments and other actions to recover judgments; seizes and may sell property to recover unpaid obligations.

May provide functional supervision of the work of entry/journey level Court Collection Officer positions on a regular basis; may prepare work unit reports and statistics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience:
Court Collection Officer I:
One (1) year of collection experience, which included significant public contact, and training or some experience in accounts receivable OR one year experience in a court collection unit.

Court Collection Officer II:
Two (2) years collection experience OR one year experience in a court collection unit

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of practices utilized in the collection of delinquent accounts receivable, working with difficult public contacts and determination of financial assets and obligations; regulations and legal procedure applicable to delinquent account collections; financial interviewing techniques.

Ability to understand, interpret and explain laws, regulations and policies governing collection operations; make decisions and independent judgements; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; communicate effectively with people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; determine the appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations; understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures; demonstrate tact and diplomacy; collect and analyze data to draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; prepare routine narrative and statistical reports; comply with laws, regulations and professional practices governing delinquent account collection operations; deal firmly and fairly with clients; maintain accurate records and document actions taken; organize and prioritize work assignments; make routine arithmetical calculations; use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation; proofread and/or edit for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation and mathematics; project consequences of decisions; maintain confidentiality of information; recognize and respect limit of authority and responsibility; work effectively with others who have objectives counter to assigned role.

Court Collection Officer II (also requires, depending on assignment)

Thorough knowledge of the functions and general operations utilized by the court system(s) for which account collections are made; techniques available to locate debtors; clerical procedures involving account processing.

Working knowledge of practices and/or techniques utilized in the training of entry level Court Collections Officers.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

THE EXAMINATION PROCESS
TO APPLY: This is a continuous recruitment; however, the recruitment may be closed at any time. To apply, visit our website at www.ventura.courts.ca.gov.

APPLICATION EVALUATION qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to the oral examination.

ORAL EXAMINATION: A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a passing score of 70 percent or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible applicant list.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must possess the personal qualifications generally recognized as essential to being an outstanding public employee, including integrity, initiative, dependability, courtesy, and good judgment and ability to work with others as a team and follow instructions.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation, which may include inquiry into past employment, education, credit, criminal background and driving record.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an Eligible Applicant List for a period of (6) six months.

The Court is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnic background, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or disability.