Account Collections Specialist
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Account Collections Specialist
Salary
$29.40 Hourly
Location
Rochester MN 55906, MN
Job Type
Limited Term - FT
Job Number
20260008
Department
Rochester Public Utilities
Opening Date
01/27/2026
Description
Benefits
Questions
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Account Collections Specialist
Rochester Public Utilities
www.rpu.org
Limited Term Appointment:
This is a limited-term position anticipated for up to 7 months, and is contingent upon the availability of allocated funds, as well as favorable performance by the incumbent. When the need for additional staff ends, the position will be eliminated unless RPU chooses ongoing continuation.
RPU, a division of the City of Rochester, MN, is the largest municipal utility in the State of Minnesota. RPU serves over 5 7 ,000 electric customers and 42,000 water customers in a 60 square mile service area and has revenues nearing $161 million annually.
Vision- "We Will Set the Standard for Service"
Our vision is based on six core values which are Safety, Integrity, Service, Stewardship, Accountability, and Skill.
Nature of Work
The Account Collections Specialist processes the collection functions associated with customer accounts. The position applies the rules to be used for setting up payment arrangements and assists with the management of the third-party collection process with outside agencies. This position reports to the Accounting Supervisor.
2025 Starting Rate of Pay
$29.40 per hour
To have your application considered in the first round of application review , please apply by Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment or location.
*Maintain and evaluate customer accounts that are in the collection process.
Monitor customer accounts for payment delinquencies.
Process work orders for service disconnection
Work with customers and third parties to provide, establish and maintain customer payment arrangements.
Determine and transfer delinquent accounts to collection agencies and/or conciliation court.
Process account adjustments for bankruptcy filings.
*Perform minimal cash management/billing functions.
Balance payments posted on customer accounts and reconcile accounts receivable.
Maintain customer refund accounts.
Handle billings/adjustments to customer accounts for ad hoc services rendered such as Energy Assistance.
Work with all returned checks and automatic bank payments.
Correct credit card declines/clarifications.
Process electronic payment files from various bill-pay aggregators and Energy Assistance.
Respond to utility customer service inquiries.
Respond to unusual or extreme cases in Collections.
Answer Customer Care inquiries when staffing levels require additional assistance.
Assist with customer system software testing as directed.
Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.
*ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent GED and a minimum of two (2) years' experience in managing accounts receivable and collections with an emphasis on customer service.
Desirable Qualifications
Post-secondary education in accounting, business, finance, communications or related field.
Experience interacting with a highly diverse customer population.
Experience with additional languages utilizing both oral and written communications proficiently.
Experience with Cayenta Customer Information System (CIS) and/or other Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: computers with a demonstrated proficiency in using Microsoft applications; professional office methods and procedures, telephone techniques and office equipment; and English, math, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and grammar.
Skill in: being well organized; communicating effectively with employees, departments, management, and the general public; being self-motivated; maintaining cooperative working relationships; operating multi-line telephone system.
Ability to: learn and apply CIS/CRM & other specialized tools specifically related to this position; exercise good judgment in analyzing transactions and determining appropriate actions; listen and respond quickly and courteously to customer requests; meet and communicate with customers in a tactful, efficient manner either in person or over the telephone or by correspondence; enter account data into computer with accuracy; maintain composure in stressful situations; maintain confidentiality; foster and inspire teamwork; understand the business of RPU, maintain and expand knowledge of relevant utility industry issues; and operate cash register and/or cashiering software.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Movements such as stooping, kneeling, crouching or bending are rarely required. Reaching overhead or in front of body is sometimes required.
Simultaneous and repetitive use of the hand, wrist, and fingers is often required.
Excellent sensory skills (sight, hearing, speech), are essential.
The majority of the workday is spent indoors viewing a computer screen.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT SUMMARY (https://www.rochestermn.gov/home/showdocument?id=36357&t=639016691729370000)
01
The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application and resume. You must be honest and accurate in answering the supplemental questions and do not @type "see resume". You may also be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview for this position. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?
Yes
No
02
What is your preferred name?
03
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)
Yes
No
04
Which of the following best describes your level of education?
High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.
Less than 2 years post-secondary training
Completion of a 2 year program or degree
Completion of a 4 year program or degree
Completion of a Master's degree or higher
None of the above
05
Other than your High School diploma/GED, which of the following best describes the field of study for your degree?
Accounting
Business
Finance
Communications
Administrative Assistant
My program/degree is in an area NOT related to accounting, business, finance or communications
N/A - I have not completed a program or degree
06
Which of the following best describes your years of full-time equivalent employment experience providing professional level customer service while working with accounts receivable and collections?
No experience
Less than 6 months
More than 6 months, but less than 2 years
More than 2 years, but less than 4
More than 4 years, but less than 6
More than 6 years, but less than 8
More than 8 years, but less than 10
10 or more years
07
Tell us how your professional, educational and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role.
08
Which of the following best describes the size of the organization, in terms of total number of customers, where you obtained a majority of your years of fulltime employment experience providing professional level customer service in an accounts receivable and collections environment?
Less than 2,000 customers
More than 2,000 customers, but less than 10,000
More than 10,000 customers, but less than 50,000
More than 50,000 customers, but less than 100,000
100,000 or more customers
N/A - I do not have any experience in this area
09
This position will handle a variety of customer transactions each day. From the list below, please select the @type of transaction(s) or task(s) you have performed in your current or previous collections or customer service position(s). (Select all that apply)
Providing customer service in person
Providing customer service over the telephone
Explaining billing, credit and collection procedures to customers
Processing payments
Resolving billing or service issues
Processing applications for service and/or creating customer accounts
Balancing payments posted on customer accounts and reconciled accounts receivable
Maintaining confidentiality of customer data
Handling irate or emotional customers
Making independent decisions based on established procedures
N/A - none of the above
10
Please indicate the specific task(s) you have performed while working with accounts receivable and collections activities. (Select all that apply)
Completing collection calls on past due accounts
Having a face-to-face discussion with a customer regarding past due account
Negotiating payment arrangements
Diffusing tense / difficult situations
N/A - none of the above
11
Please select the cash handling tasks you have performed in a current or previous position(s). (Select all that apply)
Processed cash payments
Processed credit card payments
Prepared daily bank deposit
Balanced payments posted and reconcile account receivable
N/A - none of the above
12
Describe your experience reviewing billing or financial data for accuracy. What methods or tools do you use to identify errors, analyze discrepancies, and ensure corrections are made consistently?
13
Please indicate the current software in which you are PROFICIENT. If asked to interview, you may be required to demonstrate your competency in these programs. (Select all that apply)
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft SharePoint
ImageNow or other document management software
Cayenta or similar Customer Information System (CIS)
None of the above
14
Please list the languages other than English that you are able to understand and speak. (Select all that apply) NOTE: if asked to interview, you will be required to demonstrate your ability.
Spanish
Somali
Arabic
Other - list below
None of the above - I do not speak or understand any languages other than English
15
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and educational records, identification verification, driver's license record and a criminal history?
Yes
No
Required Question
Employer
City of Rochester
Address
201 4th Street SE Rochester, Minnesota, 55904
Phone
(507) 328-2555
Website
https://www.rochestermn.gov/employment
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