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 POSITION DESCRIPTION Account Collections Specialist Rochester Public Utilities 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 57,000 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 for the first round of interviews, 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 QUALIFICATIONSEducation and ExperienceHigh 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 INFORMATIONKNOWLEDGE, 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 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

Created: 2026-03-04