Collections Specialist

Job Title

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 :

Disclaimer : This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and / or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility. Working Conditions : Work is generally performed in a normal office environment.