Employment Security Program Coordinator 2: Collector/Virtual

Full Job Description

The successful candidate will possess relevant professional experience in areas such as accounting, auditing, collections, or taxation.

They will demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented environment, while maintaining a strong commitment to continuous learning and remaining calm under pressure.

The candidate should be highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and an excellent communicator, capable of conveying complex information clearly and effectively.

They should display compassionate professionalism, understanding that behind every debt is a person or business navigating life’s complexities.

Flexibility in assuming a variety of responsibilities as organizational needs arise and workloads change is essential.

As an ES Program Coordinator-2, Collector within the Employment Security Department Collections unit, you will perform journey level debt collection duties in the recovery of benefit program overpayments owed by individuals, and delinquent taxes or other balances owed by employers.

This position contributes to the mission of the department by protecting the integrity of various trust funds we manage. A healthy trust fund is an integral part of paying benefits to claimants.

Your knowledge and ability to work collaboratively toward the resolution of overpayment(s) or employer debt is integral to the success of the department.

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then we encourage you to apply now!

This position is primarily telework but may need to report to the office on occasions for trainings or meetings

Requirements

You will locate claimants, employers, and/or their assets to recover debt due, using skip tracing. You will interview claimants and employers to gather financial information and personal facts.

Based on the information, you decide whether the debt is collectable or not and what actions to take.

You will have written delegated authority to decide to write off accounts receivable or provide financial counseling.

Some of what you'll be doing:

• Respond to inquiries from clients, employers, attorneys, Escrow Companies, Bankruptcy Trustees, Superior Court personnel, etc.
• Research and review accounts for continued collection actions.
• Investigate and respond to debt collection inquiries.
• Interview claimants and employers to gather financial information and personal facts.
• Issue Bankruptcy Stipulation Requests to the Attorney General’s Office to contest the dischargability of debt.
• Execute legal documents to enforce recovery by garnishing wages, seizing bank accounts, and conducting other collection actions as authorized by law.

Work with customers to determine their ability to pay, negotiate payment terms, and establish and maintain partial payment agreements.

Qualifications

Required:

Option 1: Seven (7) years of professional or technical experience in employment and training or unemployment insurance programs.

Option 2: One year (1) of experience as an Employment Security Program Coordinator 1.

Option 3: One year (1) of experience as a WorkSource Specialist 3 or equivalent.

Option 4: An associate’s degree in public or business administration, political science, or closely related field, AND five (5) years of professional or technical experience in employment and training or unemployment insurance programs.

Option 5: A Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, political science, or closely related field, AND three (3) years of professional or technical experience in employment and training or unemployment insurance programs.

** Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for education.

The required experience includes:

• Presentation & Public Relations Skills: Ability to communicate program details effectively to diverse audiences

• Financial Recovery & Trust Fund Management: Skills in recovering funds and ensuring fiscal integrity

• Adaptability & Flexibility: Readiness to handle diverse tasks and emerging responsibilities

• Critical Thinking & Analysis: Ability to assess proposals and evaluate program operations; Decision Making: Proficiency in recommending alternative courses of action

• Flexibility & Adaptability: Ability to perform diverse tasks at various levels; Knowledge of Lower-Level Functions: Comprehensive expertise to support operations

• Versatility: Ability to take on additional tasks effectively; Problem-Solving: Skills to address unexpected challenges

Preferred:

Demonstrated understanding and application of debt collection concepts, theories, and practices to include but not limited to:

• Skip tracing to locate people and assets, negotiating and settling debts due

• Investigating ability to pay

• Using motivational techniques to obtain payment

• Balancing a large workload of assigned accounts

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow

• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others

• Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.

Please submit your Cover Letter, and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field.

A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa.

Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.

Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

NOTE: ONLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

Additional Information

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship.

We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities.

Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Caleb Baldwin or at 253-306-2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.