Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This Investigator position is for the Bankruptcy & Collections Division on the Student Loans Team. The Bankruptcy and Collections Division is the centralized collection authority for the State, charged with the responsibility to recover all debts, judgments, taxes, fees, fines, penalties, loans, and other obligations referred to the agency for collection. The Collections Section employs investigators to locate and identify parties responsible for the debt and its attorneys pursue collection in state court. The Bankruptcy Section represents state agencies in federal court around the country, as well as in Texas, to protect the State's monetary, regulatory and policy interests in bankruptcy cases.

This Investigator position involves investigating and collecting student loans in default on behalf of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas. As the State's law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits (https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance) along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

Investigator I:

• Investigates student loans in default that are owed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by interviewing debtors and other sources to gather facts to develop cases; conducts skip-tracing, asset research and financial examinations
• Collects debts through a variety of methods including negotiating agreements with debtors and using financial information obtained through investigations
• Handle incoming calls and other customer service inquiries related to student loan accounts
• Obtains and analyzes financial information to determine debtors' ability to repay loans and judgments
• Tracks activities and maintains account information in loan management system and case management systems
• Prepares a wide variety of documents including, but not limited to, repayment agreements, financial records, official correspondence, investigative reports, and detailed recommendations for lawsuits
• Performs related work as assigned
• Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
• Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
• Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity

Investigator II: All of the above functions for an Investigator I, PLUS:

• Assists with conducting asset research to recommend collection actions; performs balance calculations and account audits, and makes accounting adjustments when appropriate

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Investigator I:

• Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Experience: Two years of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: accounting, auditing, banking, collections, compliance monitoring, investigations; may substitute sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university for the required experience on a year-for-year basis
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in conducting effective research.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Skill in using a computer for word-processing, spread sheets and data entry/retrieval
• Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave)
• Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
• Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
• Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
• Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 5%

Investigator II: All of the above qualifications for an Investigator I, PLUS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis: accounting, auditing, banking, collections, compliance monitoring, investigations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree
• Experience: Four years of progressive experience in collections, skip-tracing, and/or account analysis
• Knowledge: Student loan collections

TO APPLY

To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through either CAPPS Recruit or Work in Texas. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ComplianceInspectionandInvestigation.pdf

THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER