Tax Collections Supervisor

The Buncombe County Department of Tax Collections delivers a vital service to the County, incorporated municipalities, and fire districts within Buncombe County’s borders. All employees within the department focus on fostering positive interactions with members of our community while upholding policies and procedures in accordance with State and County guidelines. We are a small, tight-knit team with a focus on delivering exceptional service to our taxpayers, while providing support and encouragement to one another. We strive to promote an environment where laughter is encouraged, and snacks are frequent.

A Tax Collections Supervisor in this position is responsible for managing a team of individuals that monitor, analyze, and administer assigned accounts, assist with payment arrangements, and initiate actions to collect delinquent accounts, while also ensuring that payments are posted in an accurate and timely manner. Resolving unique issues involving tax payments or collections efforts while maintaining departmental consistency and keeping in compliance with State and County regulations is also often required.

The ideal candidate for this position will have proven experience in the areas of leadership, project management, collection, customer service, cash-handling, organization, records maintenance, workflow process creation, and problem-solving, along with strong teamwork and communication skills. De-escalation and conflict resolution skills are also beneficial.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to supervise the collection of taxes for real estate, individual and business personal property, and interest and fees associated with property taxes.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):  High School diploma or GED, and four (4) years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Oversee collection rate by monitoring accounts.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new and innovative ways to manage and collect revenues, address issues, provide educational opportunities, and keep up to date with changing policies and procedures.  
• Read and decipher ownership on real property deed transfers to ensure all delinquent taxes are paid.
• Review complex accounts and determines collection remedies on each individual situation; Refer accounts to outside attorneys to begin the foreclosure process; update the County website with foreclosure changes; work directly with outside attorneys by referring delinquent accounts.
• Handle complaints and issues from taxpayers that require additional assistance outside the realm of the collector's duties or knowledge, answer calls, written correspondence and respond to emails from citizens.
• Create reports for collectors to use as a monitoring tool for accounts on payment arrangements.
• Coordinate and processes the debit program with collectors.
• Oversee the NC Debt Setoff program.
• Assist with the telephone tree calling service to send out an automated message to citizens regarding payments and payment plans.
• Supervise assigned staff and ensure availability of needed resources; carry out the interview and hiring process, including posting vacancies, reviewing applicants, interviewing, and hiring.
• Assist with billing to ensure bills are accurate.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of practices and procedures in delinquent and payment collection process.
• Knowledge of North Carolina Setoff Program for Tax
• Knowledge of local laws, ordinances and the North Carolina General Statues pertaining to real estate taxes
• Knowledge of office practices, procedures, and automation systems necessary to contact citizens regarding payments and payment plans.
• Ability to operate small office equipment, computers, Tax office and Document Management software.
• Ability to communicate courteously and tactfully with the public.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.