Collections Specialist

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Trial Division Director, enforces court orders requiring the payment of fines, fees, costs, restitution and other monetary assessments in felony criminal cases. Facilitates the collection of monies ordered to be paid to the court, monitors payments received, and maintains records of monies collected.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Ottawa County Courthouse located at 414 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interviews convicted offenders who do not pay fines, fees, costs and/or restitution in full at the time of sentencing to determine ability to pay, negotiates payment plans, and drafts court orders establishing terms and conditions of payment plans.
• Responds to inquiries from defendants, probation officers, prosecutor's staff, and others as to payment arrangements, collection procedures, and related matters.
• Collaborates with probation and parole officers to monitor employment status, earnings and assets of offenders ordered to supervision and monitors payment activity in order to avoid release from probation or parole until all monies owed have been paid to the court.
• Monitors accounts for compliance orders, dockets to facilitate collections activities, and maintains real-time case notes.
• Prepares collections letters notifying offenders of past due balances outstanding on payment agreements, initiates show cause hearings for non-payment of fees, fines, costs and restitution, and prepares case files with accurate account information, balances and recommended consequences prior to hearings.
• Researches individual offender earnings, other sources of income, financial status, and assets and prepares motions and orders to effect collections through wage assignments, liens on property, forfeiture of bonds, and other methods available to the court.
• Prepares orders for production of documents, orders to disclose information, bench warrants and otherwise initiates additional actions to enforce felony collections.
• May perform other functions as necessary to implement effective actions to maximize court revenue through collection of felony monies owed.
• Helps support an equitable, safe, diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Associates Degree in business administration, accounting, legal secretarial or other relevant field and three years of progressively responsible experience in collections. Bachelor's degree preferred, along with specific experience in a court collections position.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must be certified by the Michigan State Police as a LEIN Operator or obtain certification within one year of employment.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Working knowledge of Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements.
• Working knowledge of court administrative procedures, practices, and processes.
• Working knowledge of Internet search engines and data resources available to identify offender incomes sources and assets.
• Computer literacy, accurate keyboarding skills, and knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Working knowledge of privacy requirements related to court records. Understanding of strict confidentiality requirements.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Trial Division Director, enforces court orders requiring the payment of fines, fees, costs, restitution and other monetary assessments in felony criminal cases. Facilitates the collection of monies ordered to be paid to the court, monitors payments received, and maintains records of monies collected.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Ottawa County Courthouse located at 414 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interviews convicted offenders who do not pay fines, fees, costs and/or restitution in full at the time of sentencing to determine ability to pay, negotiates payment plans, and drafts court orders establishing terms and conditions of payment plans.
• Responds to inquiries from defendants, probation officers, prosecutor's staff, and others as to payment arrangements, collection procedures, and related matters.
• Collaborates with probation and parole officers to monitor employment status, earnings and assets of offenders ordered to supervision and monitors payment activity in order to avoid release from probation or parole until all monies owed have been paid to the court.
• Monitors accounts for compliance orders, dockets to facilitate collections activities, and maintains real-time case notes.
• Prepares collections letters notifying offenders of past due balances outstanding on payment agreements, initiates show cause hearings for non-payment of fees, fines, costs and restitution, and prepares case files with accurate account information, balances and recommended consequences prior to hearings.
• Researches individual offender earnings, other sources of income, financial status, and assets and prepares motions and orders to effect collections through wage assignments, liens on property, forfeiture of bonds, and other methods available to the court.
• Prepares orders for production of documents, orders to disclose information, bench warrants and otherwise initiates additional actions to enforce felony collections.
• May perform other functions as necessary to implement effective actions to maximize court revenue through collection of felony monies owed.
• Helps support an equitable, safe, diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Associates Degree in business administration, accounting, legal secretarial or other relevant field and three years of progressively responsible experience in collections. Bachelor's degree preferred, along with specific experience in a court collections position.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must be certified by the Michigan State Police as a LEIN Operator or obtain certification within one year of employment.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Working knowledge of Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements.
• Working knowledge of court administrative procedures, practices, and processes.
• Working knowledge of Internet search engines and data resources available to identify offender incomes sources and assets.
• Computer literacy, accurate keyboarding skills, and knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Working knowledge of privacy requirements related to court records. Understanding of strict confidentiality requirements.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.

This position is benefited and is subject to the Group T manual.

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits Summary for more information.

The current Group T manual can be viewed here. The Ottawa County Universal Wage Scale can be found here.

**Part-time benefitted positions will recieve prorated benefits.