Clerk I - Collections - 1

Brazos County•Bryan, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Clerk I - Collections position ensures collection of court costs, fines, and attorney fees as ordered by the courts. The clerk works with personnel across the judicial system to facilitate timely collections and maintain accurate records in accordance with departmental procedures, regulations, laws, and statutes. This is a non-supervisory position involving independent judgment and reports to the Director of Collections. The role processes payments and balances money received for Justice of the Peace, County, and District Courts; assists the public at the front counter; reviews applications; interviews defendants and establishes payment agreements; and monitors accounts and payment plans. The clerk also maintains department and financial-system records, performs daily cash reconciliation, communicates with the public and court personnel, supports coworkers and members of the public, and performs duties in court, including testifying about collections payment plans. Other duties within the general scope and ability level of the job may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Excellent knowledge of business English, office practices and procedures, departmental rules and regulations, and basic computer information.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to maintain established records and files and manage multiple priorities.
Ability to work well with the public, address questions or problems, and remain composed with difficult people.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and employees and officials in other departments.
Ability to work as a team player and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Accurate typing skills.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including frequently lifting or moving objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Regular and punctual attendance.

Nice To Haves

Some college coursework.
Courses in computer use and typing.
At least two years of previous public-facing and office experience.
At least two years of collection experience.
Microsoft Word skills.
Cash-handling experience and experience balancing collected money.

Responsibilities

Implement departmental policies and procedures.
Serve the public and perform clerical and filing duties in accordance with laws and departmental policies and procedures.
Process payments for fees received by the Collections Department and balance the intake of money for Justice of the Peace, County, and District Courts.
Staff the front counter, greet and assist visitors, accept payments, and help set up collections accounts.
Ensure defendants complete applications in their entirety; evaluate applications for the Justice of the Peace courts of Brazos County.
Interview defendants and establish payment agreements.
Follow up with and monitor defendants on payment plans, and initiate due diligence on past-due accounts.
Process postcards and last-chance letters required by the Office of Court Administration and make past-due telephone calls.
Update the department database with court-assessed fees, initiate no-show letters, update account contact information, process financial-system adjustments, and update addresses and telephone numbers as needed.
Perform daily cash reconciliation and balance personal drawers each day.
Communicate courteously with the public, courts, and others in person and by telephone; consult the Director or Assistant Director when problems arise.
Assist other employees with incoming calls, questions, and referrals in accordance with office procedures.
Assist the public and employees with records research and making copies.
Perform duties in court, including testifying on behalf of collections payment plans.
Monitor community-service hours performed by defendants in lieu of payments when ordered by a judge.
Process and input traffic appeals for the County Clerk’s office, including collection of court costs, special expenses, and fines.
Perform duties using the new computer system for Collections.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance and perform other assigned duties within the job’s general scope and ability level.