*** THERE IS A SEVERE HOUSING SHORTAGE ON THE NORTH SLOPE. APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT RESIDE IN UTQIAGVIK (BARROW) OR INDICATE THEY HAVE NO LOCAL HOUSING SECURED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED ***

Job Title: Program Specialist II - Collections

Division: Housing Services

Reports To: Housing Services Manager

Supervises: Non-Supervisory

Classification: Temporary

Safety Sensitive: No

FLSA/AWHA Status: Non-Exempt

Work Schedule: Full-Time

Occupational Code: 43-4061

Salary: Starting at $33.00/hr (depending on experience)

Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Housing Services Manager, manages the delinquency control for TNHA tenant and homebuyer accounts receivable through collection activities, contacts tenants or homebuyers with delinquent accounts, initiates appropriate action, and maintains records. Cross trains across Housing Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews status of delinquent accounts and initiates collection action by contacting each delinquent account according to due date.
• Negotiates and arranges for debt repayment or establishes repayment schedules based on tenants' financial situations and advises them of what actions to take.
• Confers with tenants by telephone, letters or in person to determine reasons of overdue payments and to review the terms of agreements.
• Initiates termination actions, sends an attorney demand letter to delinquent tenants, and turns over account records to attorney when tenants fail to respond to collection attempts.
• Processes small claims court action, initiates payment claims against estates, Alaska PFDs, shareholders' dividends, payroll deductions with employers; represents TNHA in all court cases dealing with outstanding debts or delinquent accounts.
• Records information about delinquent tenants and status of collection efforts in database, electronic files and tenant files.
• Researches disputed delinquent account balances, corrects any errors, including misapplied payments.
• Traces delinquent tenants to new addresses by inquiring at the post office, telephone companies, credit bureaus, or through the questioning of neighbors.
• Prepares, processes and distributes notifications, addenda, memorandum, and prepares complex reports and presents information to tenants, homebuyers, and/or the public appropriately.
• Coordinates with the Accounting Department to provide reports, participant account updates, and requested information and/or documentation.
• Cross trains in job duties associated with other Program Specialists to include Intake, Rentals, Inspections, and Home Buyers.
• Prepares and processes tenant and/or homebuyer move in, move out, transfers, inspections, and service requests as needed.
• Travels to NSB villages as required.
• Observes TNHA safety rules and regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains complete confidentiality of all information obtained through professional and client interactions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

To successfully perform this job, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Required:

• High school graduate or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) recipient.
• Has a working knowledge of the Fair Debt Collections Act, and one year experience with collections accounts.
• Possess professional manner: active listener (gives full attention to what other people are saying), takes time to understand the points being made, asks appropriate and relevant questions, does not inappropriately interrupt; dons professional attire appropriate to professional standards, exhibits superior customer service, business writing skills.
• Good negotiating skill, ability to handle complaints, settling disputes with tenants, and resolving collection issues, or otherwise negotiating with tenants to change their minds or actions; confident, empathetic, and knowledgeable; problem solver.
• Two (2) years work experience with a PC using common software applications in a professional office setting.
• Two (2) years work experience with North Slope Residents.
• Valid Alaska Driver's License that meets TNHA insurance criteria.

Preferred:

• Certification as Housing Occupancy Specialist.
• One (1) year experience with Alaska Landlord-Tenant law or tenant counseling work experience or in a collection setting.
• Alaskan Native/American Indian (member of federally recognized tribe).
• Ability to speak and/or understand conversational Inupiaq.

Physical Demands: This role primarily involves sedentary work, including sitting for extended periods, using a computer, and occasional light lifting (up to 20 pounds). Visual acuity for reading and using a computer is required.

Work Environment: The work environment is a typical office setting with standard lighting and temperature conditions. The noise level is generally low to moderate.

A full list of physical demands and work environment details can be provided upon request. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or membership status in any class protected by law.