Collections Specialist

Overview

Responsible for collecting all taxes, fees, fines, charges, and other sums due the City of Boston, with particular emphasis on delinquent accounts.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the collection of any tax, assessment, account, debt, or claim payable to the City of Boston.
• Assists the public by providing respectful, courteous, and knowledgeable customer service regarding the paymentof real estate, personal property, motor vehicle, and boat excise taxes to the public and other City employees viawritten correspondence, personal (on-site), and telephone inquiries effectively and efficiently.
• Give notice of, serve, and execute any warrant committed by the collector.
• Assists customers with questions and issues related to collecting transactions. Researches and resolves questions or discrepancies, forwarding only unusual or complex items to the staff supervisor.
• Provides constituents with detailed instructions and assistance regarding paying tax bills using either the onlineportal and over the phone.
• Process refund requests by working with customers to research and gather all the necessary documentation tofacilitate a refund for overpaid funds. Also, work with the Refund Team to ensure the refund is processedaccordingly.
• Adapt to a fast-paced environment, working with the citizens of Boston to collect delinquent taxes andother revenues owed to the City.
• As part of a Foreclosure Prevention strategy, send Delinquent Tax notifications to provide customers with a pointof contact and access to resolutions to prevent foreclosure.
• Facilitate the collection of the condo-conversion tax (Tregor Tax). Review master deeds, check real estate taxhistory, stamp the Master Deed, and collect tax.
• Preparing tax histories for taxpayers for lawsuits, tax audits, or landlords billing tenants.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting, auditing, or related field, with a concentration in customer service and collections.
• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field preferred and may be substituted for a maximum of one (1) year of experience. A bachelor's degree in the above named field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• This position requires good judgment and attention to detail, and strong research-minded skills complemented by a good working knowledge of applicable tax laws, policies and procedures, and supported by strong customer service and problem solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to follow oral and written instructions and procedures; to conduct research and to review data; and to work independently as well as in a diverse team.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws and City of Boston policies and procedures (e.g., Motor Vehicle and Boat Excise tax, Real Estate and Personal Property tax, Tax Title, Boat Mooring, etc.) pertaining to this position preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite preferred.
• Competency in the use of the MUNIS Tax Billing and Collection system is preferred.

Boston Residency Required

Terms:Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SU4/RL/14Hours per week:  35