DEPUTY COLLECTOR I

Benton County•Rogers, AR

13d•$17 - $23

About The Position

The Deputy Collector collects current and delinquent personal, real estate, and improvement taxes. The role provides accurate delinquent-tax amounts, including base tax, penalties, interest, and advertising fees, and handles customer questions and problems about payments and delinquent tax bills by phone or in person. The Deputy Collector may direct customers to other offices or staff and research statements and payments. The position supports efficient, professional, and timely office operations and daily handling of tax collections described in the posting as $300 million. The position processes in-person and mailed payments, maintains payment and account records, balances receipts daily, updates taxpayer messages and addresses, answers calls, and provides tax information and clearances. It also collects and forwards payments for other counties and coordinates professionally with the public, county staff, and other agencies. The Deputy Collector follows office policies and procedures and is expected to cross-train on colleagues’ duties to maintain uninterrupted office functions. Additional assignments may be given as experience and knowledge develop. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and one year of prior cashiering, bank teller, and/or general office experience. Desired abilities include typing and dexterity, strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, knowledge of modern office practices, computer skills and accurate data entry, and working knowledge of general office machines. A general understanding of tax laws and terminology is desirable. The work environment is usually moderately noisy. The role regularly requires standing and walking, using the hands to handle or feel objects, and talking or hearing; it occasionally requires reaching and sitting, and requires close vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One year of previous experience in cashiering, as a bank teller, and/or in a general office.
Good typing skills and dexterity for efficiently accepting payments.
Excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with taxpayers and coworkers.
Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Computer skills and accurate data-entry ability.
Working knowledge of general office machines, including calculator, copier, fax, printer, and postage meter.

Nice To Haves

A general understanding of tax laws and terminology.
Initiative, time-management skills, ability to work with minimum supervision, and interest in growing knowledge and responsibility for additional assignments.

Responsibilities

Accept in-person tax payments, enter payment data, issue receipts, organize office copies by receipt number, and place funds in cash drawers.
Accept mailed payments and verify check amounts against Tax Collector records; contact taxpayers or send and record a form letter when a payment issue arises.
Balance receipts against the computer records at the end of each day.
Enter accurate account messages and review existing messages before processing payments.
Enter address changes and send information to other departments for mailing corrections.
Answer and route telephone calls, take messages, and assist callers with tax questions and problem resolution.
Provide tax information to realtors, attorneys, abstractors, lending institutions, and individuals by phone or in person.
Resolve customer problems professionally.
Provide tax clearances for individuals and other counties, and collect and forward payments to other counties when needed.
Provide courteous customer service and accurately communicate information about the Collector’s Office.
Count tax money received and returned accurately, record payment amounts on receipts and in the computer, and record a third-party payee’s name when applicable.
Conduct liaison activities professionally with the County, the public, and other agencies.
Perform assigned duties efficiently and responsibly in accordance with office policies and procedures.
Cross-train on other employees’ duties to help maintain office operations during absences.
Take on additional duties as experience, knowledge, initiative, and ability to work with minimum supervision develop.

Benefits

County-paid employee medical insurance.
Basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (ADD) insurance.
Long-term disability insurance.
Access to voluntary medical coverage for spouses and children.
Access to voluntary dental and vision coverage.
Access to supplemental life insurance.
Access to short-term disability coverage.
Access to critical illness coverage.
Access to accident insurance.
Access to hospital indemnity plans.
Participation in the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) pension program.
Voluntary Nationwide Deferred Compensation 457(b) retirement plan.
11 paid holidays annually.
Paid sick leave of up to 12 working days per year.
Paid vacation leave of up to 10 working days per year.
One paid personal day annually.