Assistant Tax Collector - Bilingual

Pay Range: $22.79/hr. - $28.48/hr. This is a non-exempt position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity.

About the role

Our mission is to serve Mecklenburg County residents by helping them improve their lives and community. The Office of the Tax Collector is committed to providing a positive taxpayer experience by educating, assisting, and serving more than 1 million county and municipal residents. Our tax collections employees are trained in the latest collections policies and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance in collections. We are a team dedicated to serving the community with integrity and respect.

Perform administrative work assisting in the operations of the Office of the Tax Collector. This position, under direct supervision, is responsible for performing moderately complex analysis, accepting cash and other forms of payment, preparing reconciliations, reports, and providing excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

• Research taxpayer accounts and bills for tax history pertaining to business property, personal property, business taxes and real estate
• Regularly update case notes to document phone calls and office visits
• Provide timely, efficient, and accurate customer service
• Receive and receipt payments collected in-person at the services counter, from the field, through the mail, and other various ways adhering to the County and departmental money handling policies and procedures
• Serve as the first point of contact to the public, representing the Office of the Tax Collector to facilitate the collection of payments and communication of information to the public
• Monitor and analyze a variety of financial records and data sources
• Prepare related special reports and studies, including cost studies, reports and related documentation
• Coordinate and analyze financial and statistical data
• Prepare, review, and submit a variety of reports, reconciliations, work papers, communications, schedules, tables, and/or statements to and from internal departments, financial institutions, and external agencies
• Maintain records in areas of responsibility in accordance with State law
• Participate in special projects related to financial activities
• Act as a liaison between the Office of the Tax Collector and other county, city, and town departments to complete processes that require contact with other departments within the county
• Execute job functions by achieving acceptable results as required by position and departmental performance measures

Requirements

• Bilingual Proficiency - Fluent in Spanish and English
• Minimum of four years of collection, accounting, payment processing, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of two years in customer service
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
• County Driving Privileges
• Must obtain Assistant Tax Collector Certification within three years of hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related field
• Excellent communication and customer service skills - written and verbal
• Payment processing including reconciliation skills
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving ability
• Knowledge of North Carolina General Statutes, judicial process, and all applicable state, local and federal laws
• General bankruptcy procedures and process
• Tax collections experience
• General accounting procedures and collection techniques

Skills

• Active listening skills; listening for understanding
• Communication skills that foster mutual understanding
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Talking to others to convey information effectively; effective written communication
• Effective presentation and problem-solving
• Proficient in various applicable computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite

Abilities

• Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Applied Learning: Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problem and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probably consequences