Payment Specialist I/II (80% FTE)

Job description

Join a team providing valued public service to taxpayers and internal customers for the Washtenaw County Treasurer. Process payments and answer customer questions. Produce accurate work product and interact positively with co-workers and the public. Prior experience with cash handling, banking, or accounting a plus. 30 hours/week.

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Washtenaw County
COMPLETE JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Code: 1656
Authorization: RES #
Employee Group: AFSCME 2733
Unit B - 1100

CLASS TITLE: PAYMENT SPECIALIST I/II
DEPARTMENT: Treasurer
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY
Provide excellent customer service under the supervision of a higher classified employee and within a team of coworkers. Maintain a high degree of accuracy and demonstrate a thorough understanding of Office operations, policies, and procedures. Provide customer service to the public and other County departments by processing payments, balancing daily cashout, identifying and matching deposits, answering questions over the phone and in-person, preparing bank deposits, and performing other receipting tasks. Prioritize responsibilities with input from supervisors and coworkers. May make recommendations and assist in procedure implementation.

Initially employees work under close supervision. As experience is gained, employees gradually receive more complex assignments and work more independently. Employees with the required experience, education, and work proficiency may advance to level II.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Essential Duties:

Provide prompt, accurate, and polite assistance to the public. Answer inquiries by telephone, mail and at the counter regarding balances due, payments, and departmental procedures.

Gain an understanding of the complex deadlines, fees, and interest charged to delinquent taxpayers in order to answer customer questions and explain complex processes.

Process various payments in the tax and financial systems promptly and accurately.

Demonstrate adherence to payment handling policies and procedures. Safeguard banking, financial, and personal information according to Office policies.

Work within a team of coworkers to balance priorities, share the workload, and provide information and training support toward common goals.

Promote a culture of teamwork by assisting new employees and colleagues learning new tasks.

Process cashout, ensuring cash receipts balance with cash register and system reports. Read and interpret tax and financial system reports.

Recognize opportunities to link customers to internal and external social work partners and offer customers facing forfeiture direct assistance in understanding the delinquent tax process.

Process deed tax certifications for individuals and title companies; work with Register of Deeds and Equalization Department to resolve any issues that arise.

Process dog license applications from residents by phone, mail, over the counter, or online.

Process dog park permit applications in coordination with the City of Ann Arbor Clerk, including updating information in shared database.

Contribute to improvements in customer service delivery by assisting in implementation of procedural changes.

Assist with testing and procedural changes as new versions of accounting, property tax, cashiering, and other software upgrades are implemented.

Research, compile, and summarize data and prepare information for reports, statistics, and marketing materials.

Demonstrate a commitment to a safe work environment by following Office and building safety procedures.

Represent elected Treasurer in interactions with the public, colleagues, and other County departments.

Perform other clerical tasks and related duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Policies, procedures, and regulations related to the Office

Principles of work organization, coordination, prioritization, and team work

Payment Handling Procedures

Customer Service Standards

Communicate effectively and clearly in both oral and written English

Basic fiscal, accounting, and financial record-keeping principles and practices

Computer software related to the work, including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications

Performing mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.

Setting priorities, coordinating multiple projects, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on work with minimal supervision.

Using sound, independent judgment, tact, discretion, and initiative within established policy and procedural guidelines.

Working cooperatively in a team setting: establishing and maintaining effective working relationships, demonstrating positive communication, prioritizing work for timely completion, and balancing of leave time with team members.

Providing quality customer service under varied and stressful circumstances, including effectively handling difficult customer situations.

Proficiently operating standard office equipment (computer, calculator, printers, copiers and related software applications) with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the required work.

Pass the Treasurer's assessment test(s) designed for these job duties.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Applicants must pass Treasury assessments designed for the job duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Duties require the ability to work in a typical office setting:

use standard office equipment, including a computer,

sit and/or stand at a desk and customer service counter,

and communicate orally over extended periods of time

Duties may require employee to lift, carry, or otherwise move items weighing up to 25 pounds.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EDUCATION
Possession of a high school diploma, or the equivalent. Technical training or specialized knowledge regarding financial transactions required. Equivalent to the completion of two years of college, business, or technical school training in a related field is desirable.

EXPERIENCE
LEVEL I - GRADE 16: A minimum of two years of administrative, financial, customer service or technical managerial support work. Cashiering experience preferred. Six-month probationary period.

LEVEL II - GRADE 18: Employees may qualify after at least three years of relevant experience.
Must also demonstrate an ability to perform all tasks as assigned with reliability and accuracy, provide superior customer service using sound independent judgment, tact and discretion under varied and stressful circumstances, and demonstrate exemplary team support to all members of the team.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to learn additional job-specific knowledge for successful performance.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $19.11 - $20.48 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Office

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Masks required for staff and customers. Enhanced cleaning. Social distancing. Vaccine may be mandated for new employees.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Customer service: 2 years (Preferred)
• Cashiering: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location