Collection Officer - Unilingual (English) and Bilingual (English and French)

About the job

In this position, you will:

• Collect amounts owed to the Crown by investigating/resolving delinquent accounts resulting from client's failure to comply;
• Communicate rights and obligations, negotiate payment arrangements and obtain securities;
• Liaise with sheriffs, banks, lawyers and other parties;
• Process payments using an automated system, prepare correspondence and maintain the integrity of tax roll information;
• Initiate necessary recovery actions.

Positions Available:

• 9 temporary unilingual vacancies for up to 12 months with possible extension
• 1 temporary bilingual vacancy for up to 12 months with possible extension What you bring to the team Mandatory requirements for bilingual position only
• You must possess oral French language skills at the advanced level. Your proficiency will be confirmed before hire.

Communication and interpersonal skills

• You have effective oral skills to articulate and communicate with clients and negotiate payment terms.
• You have written skills to prepare, on request, custom correspondence, strategies, fact sheets for senior ministry officials, and client's lawyers, accountants, trustees, receivers, bailiffs, sheriffs, bankers.
• You are able to handle confrontational situations and maintain a positive public perception of fair and consistent treatment, where the issues may be high-profile and politically sensitive; and to deal tactfully and diplomatically with difficult situations and aggressive/emotional clients.

Analytical, research and organizational skills

• You have research and analytical skills to gather and analyze data.
• You can work independently and accurately with high volumes of assignments.
• You can manage multiple priorities and work within tight timelines.

Collections and financial knowledge

• You have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of collection techniques, including phone calls, letters, recommendations for legal actions such as garnishments/demands, liens and other recovery actions.
• You are familiar with bankruptcy administration and debt security instruments.
• You have ability to interpret/apply legislation for acts impacting debt collection and ability to follow policies and procedures.
• You have knowledge of accounting methods to analyze financial data.

Computer skills

• You have the ability to use database and word processing programs to prepare reports and analyze information.
• You demonstrate experience within an automated collection system.

Don't meet every qualification?

• If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
• How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's

Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy What we offer The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for 29 ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups

This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
• group health, dental, life and disability benefits
• a range of vacation and leave options
• an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services