Customer Service Representative

Job Summary

Are you interested in working in a fast-paced office environment serving Travis County residents? The Travis Tax Office is looking for multiple motivated Tax Specialist I's for our Motor Vehicle Division. This position is entry-level, with opportunities for growth. Travis County offers some company paid benefits, career development opportunities, Monday-Friday work schedule as well as excellent retirement benefits. Apply now if any of these things seem interesting to you!

Under close supervision, performs moderately complex clerical support tasks involving independent judgment. Performs a variety of work tasks of a specialized nature, including processing registrations, property tax payments, court fines, fees and simple titles. Applies knowledge of tax, court and voter registration policies to customer circumstances and works to resolve customer issues.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the first in a series of three tax-related job classifications within the Administrative Support job family. This classification is distinguished from the Tax Specialist II in that incumbents typically have limited tasking capabilities, do not process complex titles, and require extensive supervision to meet standards. This is an entry-level job classification with a pronounced emphasis on customer service.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Applies functional knowledge to analyze and respond to matters requiring basic knowledge of department policies and procedures. Performs and conducts research and interpretation in a variety of substantive areas, including whether registrants are in compliance with Texas Traffic Laws, Property Tax Code, Alcoholic Beverage Code, and Texas Election Law. Applies knowledge to system of court fines and fees to determine necessary method of transaction completion. Analyzes simple tax accounts/court cases and legal documents.
• Processes registrations, property tax payments, court fines and fees. Determines eligibility and compliance of voter registration applications. Returns incomplete voter registration applications to applicants with explanation of additional information required. Performs tasks necessary to complete mail-in license registration, subcontractor renewals and title applications. Processes simple titles independently.
• Records transactions and maintains manual and computerized journal entries. Processes financial reports, including receipts, claims, and disbursements. Performs cashiering functions on a rotating basis and balances cash drawer at the end of shift. Balances tax revenues to tax payments and receipts on a daily basis. Receives, posts and issues receipts for fee payments or other charges and submits monies and pertinent information to appropriate departments.
• Approves short-term payment arrangements within office guidelines. Reviews delinquent accounts and contacts appropriate party(s) for payment.
• Maintains effective document, file, and record retrieval system. Maintains accountability for files processed through the system. Enters data from document receipts into automated record system. Compiles information using computer systems. Audits data entry reports and prints final reports for other departments.
• Performs general office functions, including gathering information and statistical data, creating databases and generating reports using spreadsheet and database software. Writes and prepares correspondence. Provides direction and information to the public on procedures, forms and regulations. Provides public with file information, in person and by telephone and may act as the primary contact for assigned functions. May perform general office activities, such as ensuring facility availability, opening and closing doors, and assisting in administrative staff support. May staff service counters, information booth, drive through and lobby areas to assist customers.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D. AND four (4) years of increasingly responsible office/clerical experience, including the operation of modern office procedures and computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages. Must have customer service experience AND a minimum of one (1) year experience in a directly related function;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
None required.

Preferred:
Negotiation experience.
Call center experience.
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Bilingual.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Customer service and resolving customer problems.
• Texas Traffic Laws, Property Tax Code, Alcoholic Beverage Code, and Texas Election Law.
• Modern office/clerical practices and procedures, and methods.
• Application of court fines and fees.
• File management and techniques.
• Principle and procedures of record keeping.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Working with customers, both in person and on the phone.
• Resolving complex problems.
• Conducting research and presenting information.
• Processing financial reports, including receipts, claims, and disbursements.
• Performing cashier duties, such as receiving cash, issuing and posting receipts for fee payments or other charges.
• Working independently.
• Analyzing data.
• Negotiating payment plans.
• Recording and compiling material for reports.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Resolve customer issues and maintain a production schedule.
• Compile data and present it in a clear and comprehensive manner.
• Understand and carry out verbal and written directions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to sitting, client/customer contact, standing, walking, vision to monitor, repetitive motion, stooping/kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Multiple vacancies available in our Motor vehicle division and Property Tax Division.

Work Hours: Various

Vacancies available in our Motor Vehicle Division

Department: Tax Collector

Location: 5501 Airport Blvd., Austin

Criminal Background Check Required.

Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2020 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January – March3 personal holidays April - June2 personal holidays
July - September1 personal holiday
October - DecemberNone
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years4.0 hours per pay period 6 to 10 years4.5 hours per pay period 11 to 15 years5.0 hours per pay period 16 to 20 years5.5 hours per pay period 21 plus years6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers' Compensation
The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.