Administrative Assistant IV

Serves as a senior collection specialist with the Non-Tax Collection Unit. Primary functions include coordinating with a third-party collection agency and various county agencies to collect delinquent revenue and parking tickets. Assists residents with balances in arrears over the telephone, in person, and in writing to resolve outstanding accounts. Performs skip-tracing, establishes payment plans, and ensures adherence to state and local collection laws. Reviews and approves legal actions initiated by a third-party collection agency and certifying, finalizing, and applying payments intercepted from delinquent payer's state income tax refunds. Generates internal billing, tracking, and recording accounts in databases/spreadsheets. Serves as a backup cashier at the front counter during peak tax season, answering taxpayer questions, providing information, receiving payment by cash, check, and credit card, issuing receipts, and addressing/resolving taxpayer complaints. May also be called upon to answer telephone calls from the public for tax-related inquiries.

Note: The assigned functional areas of the position are general administrative support, debt collection, and/or customer service.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
General Financial Duties
Recommends changes to agency/work unit administrative policies, procedures and methods;
Uses existing spreadsheets and databases to interpret and organize resource information;
Provides customized reports to analysts or others in the unit.
Accounting
Resolves problems by performing qualitative review of individual cases;
Scheduling & Coordinating for others
Determines what confidential information can be disseminated and to whom;
Communication
Independently composes original correspondence (e.g., preparation of replies to non-technical requests) for the executive/work unit head's review and signature;
Coordinates data collection and provides information to others including executive/work unit head;
Explains policies of the functional area (e.g., purchasing, travel, and leave).
General Administrative
Prepares non-routine responses to correspondence;
Receptionist/Public Contact
Oversees or resolves non-routine/difficult situations based on knowledge and interpretation of established policies & procedures;
Interprets county rules & regulations to employees, management, and the public using discretion as to proper application.
Reports
Prepares routine reports and statistics based on information compiled from various sources;
Determines report format and elements.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Knowledge and understanding of the programs or activities of the unit served, as well as of the county and departmental administrative guides;
Position may require knowledge of basic principles and methods of a technical or professional field.
Math Skills
Basic math skills.
Word Processing/Typing
Intermediate skills in use of applicable Microsoft Office Word.
PC Skills
Intermediate skills in the use of applicable Microsoft Office Suite software;
Intermediate skills in the use of agency specific software applications.
Communication
Ability to communicate well through written and oral means.
Information Abilities
Ability to gather, integrate, and analyze simple data.
Interpersonal Abilities
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with both external and internal contacts.
Executive Assistance
Ability to maintain confidentiality and be sensitive to political issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to high school graduation and three years of experience providing administrative support in the assigned functional area(s).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3 or more years of experience providing administrative support in the assigned functional areas.
• 3 or more years of experience providing administrative assistance in an office environment.
• 3 or more years of experience providing front-line customer service, which includes responding to internal and external customer inquiries face-to-face, by telephone, and in writing.
• 3 or more years of experience collecting delinquent debt.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create and maintain positive working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, manage time, multi-task, and prioritize.
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, initiative, and creativity.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Outlook, and Word.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-LD1