ACH Operations Specialist

IDBNY•New York, NY

15h•$90,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The ACH Operations Specialist supports IDB Bank’s day-to-day ACH processing and ensures transactions are processed accurately, on time, and in accordance with Nacha Operating Rules, regulatory requirements, Bank policies, and operational controls. The role requires hands-on ACH experience and independent research and resolution of ACH exceptions, returns, client issues, and processing discrepancies. It supports both ODFI and RDFI activities and works with Treasury Management, Client Service, Account Officers, Risk, Compliance, Fraud, Technology, and other operational teams. The specialist performs and monitors ACH origination, settlement, returns, exceptions, reversals, adjustments, and related processing; investigates transactions and settlement discrepancies; responds to inquiries and escalations; and maintains documentation. The position also supports risk monitoring, audits, regulatory examinations, system testing and enhancements, operational improvements, and cross-training. The Bank operates on a hybrid schedule.

Requirements

Minimum of 3–5 years of direct ACH Operations experience within a bank, credit union, payment processor, or comparable financial institution.
Strong working knowledge of the Nacha Operating Rules and ACH processing requirements.
Demonstrated experience with both ODFI and RDFI ACH operations.
Hands-on experience with ACH origination, returns, NOCs, reversals, exceptions, settlement, and transaction research.
Strong understanding of ACH SEC Codes and return reason codes, including appropriate return timeframes.
Experience independently researching and resolving complex ACH processing issues.
Understanding of consumer versus non-consumer ACH requirements, including Regulation E considerations.
Experience with ACH risk controls, exposure limits, debit return monitoring, or similar operational risk processes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and excellent attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple processing deadlines and priorities in a time-sensitive payment operations environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to explain ACH requirements to operational and non-operational stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Copilot, and other Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) certification is strongly preferred.
Experience using Fiserv PEP+, including ACH processing, reporting, exception handling, or Risk Manager functionality.
Experience with commercial online banking or Treasury Management platforms.
Familiarity with ACH Positive Pay, ACH fraud controls, originator exposure monitoring, and ACH risk-management programs.
Experience supporting internal or external ACH audits and regulatory examinations.
Experience with ACH Operators such as The Clearing House EPN or the Federal Reserve.

Responsibilities

Perform and monitor daily ACH processing, including incoming and outgoing files, origination, settlement, returns, exceptions, reversals, and adjustments.
Monitor processing during established windows and ensure files and transactions meet applicable deadlines.
Review and resolve processing exceptions, suspended transactions, rejected files, posting issues, and other discrepancies.
Support ODFI origination activities, including review of originator activity, exposure limits, exceptions, returns, and unusual processing patterns.
Monitor ACH originator risk limits and assist with reviewing and escalating transactions exceeding established exposure limits.
Perform RDFI return processing and determine appropriate return reason codes based on transaction type, SEC Code, account classification, timeframes, and Nacha Operating Rules.
Handle unauthorized ACH claims and related processing, including appropriate treatment of consumer and non-consumer transactions.
Research ACH transactions using trace numbers, Company IDs, settlement information, transaction history, and other available data.
Process and review ACH reversals and verify requests meet applicable Nacha requirements.
Assist with Proof of Authorization, Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit, Permission to Return, and other ACH-related documentation and requests.
Monitor debit return activity and identify and escalate originators approaching or exceeding applicable Nacha return-rate thresholds.
Investigate ACH settlement and reconciliation discrepancies and coordinate resolution with Accounting, Deposit Operations, Technology, ACH Operators, and other parties.
Respond to ACH inquiries and escalations from internal business units and provide guidance on processing requirements and procedures.
Maintain accurate documentation for ACH transactions, exceptions, approvals, investigations, and operational decisions.
Assist with ACH audits, risk assessments, regulatory examinations, and remediation by gathering documentation and demonstrating adherence to controls.
Participate in testing and implementation of ACH system enhancements, new products, processing changes, and operational improvements.
Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, reduce manual processing, improve efficiency, and mitigate operational and fraud risk.
Maintain current knowledge of Nacha Operating Rules, applicable Regulation E requirements, Bank policies, and industry developments.
Provide operational backup and cross-training within ACH Operations as needed.