• Program Administration and dispute resolution.

  Responsible for overall operations, security and accountability of the Student Collections system. Hire, train and schedule staff to operate a Student Collections department. Ensure quality customer service for students and campus departments. Monitor collections internally as well as with all state and external collection entities. Responsible for periodic review and analysis of accounts referred to collection agencies by Revenue Agents to ensure that accounts are placed in a timely manner and in accordance with policy. Oversee daily disbursement operations for financial aid refunds and administration of the Perkins Loan Fund. Ensure compliance with required account maintenance. Respond at any stage of the collection proceedings to dispute the validity of unpaid debts. Research all charges, interpret university rules, make adjustments as needed, notify debtors of decision and refer them to university departments that have their own appeal processes. Notify outside agencies to suspend collection while charges are under dispute. Respond to requests for hearings and appear as university representative regarding deductions for bad debts from Oregon State Income Tax refunds. Respond to offers of settlement for less than the total amount due. Negotiate acceptable proposals and maintain records. Act on student loan borrower problems, appeals and special circumstances. Represents PSU in small claims court or other legal proceedings relating to Perkins and PSU Collections debt. Oversee any litigation activities (specifically related to student debt and collection only.) Review bad debt for write-off approval to remove the debt from the books and monitor and maintain records of such accounts. Monitor and maintain records of all accounts assigned to outside agencies. Coordinate efforts to recover bad debts and instruct Cashiers on application of recovery on bad debts.

• System administration and reporting.

  Identify, analyze, and evaluate new processes and procedures and make recommendations to the Bursar and Director of Business Affairs. Prepare and analyze reports monitoring Perkins Loan and PSU Collection activities. Prepare and analyze reports on outside collection agency's activities. Provide informational reports to assist other departments such as the Financial Aid Office and Student Accounts departments. Provide management with summary reports for decision making and analysis. Manage relationships with the State of Oregon debt collection as well as external collection agencies. Review OUS Collection Agency contract when it is up for renewal or bid.

• Supervision.

  Responsible for the direct supervision of the Student Collections team. Includes fostering employee professional development, providing direction and support, mentoring and communications. Hire, plan, assign, schedule, and approve work of employees for the Student Collections office. Establish and update position descriptions, approve leaves, prepare and sign performance appraisals. Ensures quality customer service for students and campus departments. Responsible for developing and maintaining a pro-active internal communication environment, and working to achieve positive working relationships with customers.

• Communication.

  Ensures clear and interactive communication within and external to the Student Collections department. Promotes regular communications with other campus departments such as Student Accounts, Financial Aid and Registrar to promote cross training opportunities, discuss goals and objectives, and address student issues and concerns. Facilitates focus groups with student advocacy groups to address customer service improvements and servicing concerns. Coordinate policies and procedures with counterparts within OUS.

• Proactive Leadership.

  Collaborates with the Student Collections team and other BAO/PSU departments to establish goals and objectives; anticipates what needs to be accomplished, develops a plan and carries out the plan. Develop and maintain Student Collections and Loans policies and procedures; ensure procedures are well documented and current.

• Regulatory Compliance.

  Ensures compliance with PSU, OUS, State and Federal policies, practices and regulations for all of the Perkins Loan and Collection programs; responds to inquiries and audits. Understands the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Ensures compliance with the PSU Student Records Policy, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, and the Information Security Policy for the protection of student records. Responds to inquiries and audits. Knows and is aware of Affirmative Action rules and regulations in order to effectively participate as necessary in the maintenance of the commitment to the PSU 's policy on Affirmative Action.

• Assist with other duties of the office as requested.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Management or related field, or equivalent experience; Advanced degree preferred;
• Five years experience in accounts receivable, collections, and/or Perkins; preferably in higher education;
• Two years supervisory or lead work experience;
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills;
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills;
• Proven ability to be self directed and to follow up on issues as necessary;
• Work experience using computerized accounting systems, word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; experience using Banner FIS/SIS preferred;
• Outstanding customer service skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively with tact and diplomacy.
• Understands the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
• Must be able to successfully complete a background check.

bao_hire@pdx.edu

Student Collections and Loans Supervisor Position

Business Affairs Office

PO Box 751

Portland, OR 97207