Treasury Specialist 1 (Open & Promotional)

This position works 37.5 hours per week.

This position performs technical and customer service work in the collection and maintenance of property taxes, special assessments, improvement district charges, and other types of payments in the Treasurer's Office. Positions support County operations, as well as activities of junior taxing districts, municipalities, special districts and the state. The position allocated to this class is responsible for performing technical support, problem solving and extensive customer service work related to certain aspects of tax collection and payment processing, under the general direction of a Treasury Supervisor. This classification differs from the Senior Treasury Specialist by the less complex nature of work, the need for a less comprehensive understanding of tax laws, and the primary focus of duties being on maintaining and collecting tax receivables according to the Revised Code of WA (RCW), Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and County rules and regulations.

WHO MAY APPLY: This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the Master Contract submitting applications between 3/4/24 and 3/8/24. First consideration will be given to applicants working in the Treasurer's office in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA); second consideration given to County-wide applicants in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; third consideration given to applicants covered by the Master Contract CBA; fourth consideration will be given to all other applicants.
TOTAL COMPENSATION: $53,094 - $74,268 annually.Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

• Computes and processes senior citizen and disability exemptions.
• Reviews authorization from Assessor's office for accuracy and completeness.
• Calculates changes in tax liability for taxpayer.
• Adjusts tax receivable account balance to reflect effect of change in exemption status.
• Approves and orders refund check or new tax statement.
• Certifies all changes and records appropriate documents.
• Analyzes various legal documents, forms and reports for accuracy and completeness related to payments and inquiries. Researches and corrects problems that are identified.
• Advises customer with alternative courses of action to resolve issues.
• Maintains improvement district billing and accounts receivable records for both the County and outside agencies.
• Mails billings at the appropriate time of year for each individual district. Calculates adjustments to annual interest receivable.
• Assists supervisor in the setup of districts in the tax system in accordance with the appropriate resolutions and laws.
• Researches questions from taxpayers, mortgage companies, attorneys or real estate professionals regarding the status of taxes and related actions on parcels using multiple computer systems, conferring with other departments, districts and agencies, and records.
• Reconciles payments made by mortgage companies to individual accounts.
• Balances daily payments to various source documents.
• Locates errors and exceptions and resolves any variances by researching source of error.
• Receipts payments from various sources, including taxes and other department and district payments, using multiple systems, procedures and regulations.
• Determines if payment is correct and can be accepted in accordance with applicable state laws.
• Prepares send-back of all mailed in payments that do not comply with state law.
• Receipts large sums of money via "over the counter", electronic, and mail in deposits from county departments, as well as from a large number of different government entities
• Balances to supporting documentation and banking systems.
• Prepares daily bank deposit and reconciles all daily activity to deposit; and resolves any discrepancies.
• Performs complex analysis of excise tax documents and process in accordance with Department of Revenue policy and procedures, RCW and WAC.
• Reviews legally defined property rights and interests of each sale to insure proper tax rate is applied. Interfaces on a regular basis with closing agents and attorneys.
• Answers inquiries from State Department of Revenue and taxpayers regarding excise.
• Balances excise tax collections and prepares related required reports.
• Issues mobile home movement permits and determines excise taxes to be collected pursuant to Department of Revenue policy and procedures, RCW and WAC.
• Resolves issues and answers questions from taxpayers, closing agents, agencies, title and mortgage companies, attorneys and other departments.
• Determines when errors have occurred and makes corrections or refers to proper section for corrections.
• Reconciles account activity to appropriate supporting documents; and makes adjusting entries.
• Provides support for the Treasury Specialist 2.
• Operates professional grade mail openers and check scanners to process mail payments for the Treasurer's office and various other entities. Inputs and reconciles payment records to various programs for accuracy. Creates bank, regional and interdepartmental files. Performs routine maintenance on high speed mail openers as well as trouble shoots breakdowns.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible technical and customer service experience in banking, real estate, title, escrow, mortgage, payment processing or related functions OR an equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.
• Positions in this classification are required to be bondable and pass an extensive criminal and financial background check.

• Knowledge of customer service techniques and phone etiquette.
• Knowledge of accounting practices applicable to the position.
• Knowledge of operations, functions, codes, policies, procedures, practices, and terminology specific to Treasurer's Office and payments.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and descriptions relevant to the position.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting and certain databases necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, practices, and procedures necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Knowledge of billing and payment procedures, applicable to the position.
• Knowledge of applicable state and local laws.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with fellow co-workers and supervisors.
• Skilled in answering phones and greeting visitors.
• Skilled in applying customer service techniques.
• Skilled in performing mathematical calculations.
• Skilled in preparing technical reports.
• Skilled in using office equipment such as phones, copiers, calculators and fax machines.
• Skilled in the use of person computers and related software applications.
• Ability to deal with citizens and customers in a tactful, calm, courteous and professional manner, in stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform specialized administrative, financial, and accounting type work involving independent judgment.
• Ability to operate standard office machines and equipment, including database, word processing, and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to maintain complex records and files, and to prepare technical, legal or statistical reports.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, apply formulas, and perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to explain billing structure, rates, bills, payments, and computations effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to prepare supporting documentation to tax and accounting records in a systematic, neat, legible manner.
• Ability to resolve problems, use discretion, and make rational independent judgments.
• Ability to follow written or oral instructions in a responsible and efficient manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the general public.