Collection Specialist

Please Note: Internal Employees please access the Jobs Hub app on the Workday Dashboard homepage to apply for the position.

The University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) is a private nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts. Accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) the university offers undergraduate graduate credential and certificate programs designed to be relevant to more than 90 career paths. UMass Global has ranked consistently among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

TYPE OF SUPERVISION:

Receive general supervision from the Assistant Vice Chancellor Student Accounts.

• General Supervision indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of duties; some of which may be complex duties within established policy guidelines; and receives occasional supervision.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Contact past due students to resolve and collect outstanding accounts and ensure timely follow up for payment and resolution.
• Prepare clear and concise written correspondence to resolve and collect outstanding accounts.
• Review Banner Student and Accounts Receivable ERP as well as Regent Education Financial Aid system to analyze and investigate a wide variety of student related information including AR Financial Aid and Student Registration modules.
• Resolve complex account issues including but not limited to payments due accounting adjustments refunds registration and financial aid issues via daily interactions with staff parents students other university departments and third-party vendors.
• Prepare monthly review of accounts to facilitate bad debt write off in accordance with university policy. Accurately adjust accounts for bad debt write off and assign to collection agencies.
• Coordinate collection agency activities including but not limited to account resolution and disputes account settlement analyzing agency inventory payment posting account adjustments and bankruptcies.
• Serve as the liaison for One Stop teams and university departments for any collections related questions and issues.
• Review the annual filing of Franchise Tax Bureau tax intercept candidates for accuracy and integrity including verification of balances applying appropriate filters and identifying population of students for submission and pre-intercept communications.
• Generate State of CA required pre-intercept letters and emails within state mandated timelines.
• Respond to student inquiries responding to pre-intercept notices and reflect balance changes and comments in tax intercept records depository.
• Prepare an upload file for tax intercept state submission within state defined timelines.
• Maintain and update tax intercept records depository and prepare adjustment files to be submitted to the state.
• Weekly review of State reports for full or partially intercepted students work with Cashiering to ensure correct General Ledger entries and communicate balance changes to two collections agencies for impacted students.
• Weekly review of external collections agency activity reports to identify fully or partially paid students and generate adjustment file to the State.
• Work with impacted students and respond to inquiries during post-intercept phase.
• Provide ad-hoc reports and responses as needed.
• Other duties as assigned or assumed including but not limited to serve as a backup for cashiering refunding student accounts and third-party billing functions assisting with Student Accounts related tasks assignments and other special projects

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in collections or equivalent experience.

Desired:

• Associates or Bachelors degree in accounting or related field or equivalent working experience.
• Experience in Higher Education accounts receivable and collections.
• Experience with at least one and preferably Ellucian Banner modules: Accounts Receivable Financial Aid Student
• Experience with Argos reporting tool
• Experience with Regent Education Financial Aid system

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid.
• Knowledge of Bankruptcy Laws and Filings
• Excellent oral and written communication skills using a variety of tools and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and exceptional ability to deliver customer service/experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to apply good judgement during times of high volume.
• Demonstrated ability to handle adverse situations with a high degree of tact.
• Excellent organizational and technical skills and ability to work within deadlines.
• Intermediate level of knowledge of Microsoft Office tools particularly Word Excel and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently take initiative and exercise discretion and judgment.
• Strong team player.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and perform effectively taking the appropriate steps to achieve success by maintaining the highest level of service within the constraints of law regulations budget and university policy.

Machines Tools Equipment Electronic Devices and Software: Personal computer and intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including word excel and outlook.

Contact with Students: Frequent

Contact with Faculty and/or Staff: Frequent

Contact with Community and Vendors: Frequent

This position is hybrid and candidates must be within a reasonable driving distance from the Central Admin Office in Aliso Viejo CA 92656.

Unless otherwise indicated work hours are based on Pacific Time (PST). Employees must be available for collaboration during core hours from 10am to 3pm (PST).

Please note: UMass Global does not sponsor work visas for this position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship both now and in the future.

The hiring range for this position is $22.00 - $24.50 per hour. Offers are determined by a variety of factors including but not limited to geographical location knowledge skills years & depth of experience and equity with internal team members.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position may be required to work flexible hours particularly given the need to support students or stakeholders extended hours of operation and may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Applicants for this position are subject to a background check and a criminal history review. While this position is mostly remote it requires weekly or as needed presence at the university office of Aliso Viejo CA.

At the University of Massachusetts Global we support your total well-being with flexible and meaningful benefits:

• Health: Medical dental and vision coverage with spending account options.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible schedules 1/2 day Fridays (biweekly) remote options generous time off and a paid winter break.

• Financial Security: Life disability and supplemental insurance legal and identity protection and student debt support.

• Retirement: 403(b) plan with a Roth option. 3% non-elective contribution and up to a 6% match for a 9% total employer contribution!

• Education: Tuition discounts for employees and family and Tuition Exchange program with other universities.

• Wellness: Counseling services Calm app access and year-round wellness programs.

Please Note: Internal Employees please access the Jobs Hub app on the Workday Dashboard homepage to apply for the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity UMass Global is committed to providingan educational and work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any Global prohibits all forms of discrimination andharassment on the basis of age race (including hairstyle/texture protective hairstyles braids locks and twists) color religion (including religious observance belief practice dress and grooming practices) citizenship pregnancy (including temporary physical or mental limitations related to affected by or arising out of pregnancy childbirth or any related medical conditions) sex gender identity gender expression transgender status national origin ancestry physical and/or mental disability legally-protected medical condition military (past present or prospective) status veteran status marital status sexual orientation sexual and reproductive health genetic information or any other characteristic protected by local State or Federal law.

Reasonable Accommodation UMass Global providesreasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need areasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring processplease notify the recruitment departmentat.