Administrative Assistant - Collections

LYON COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:  Administrative Assistant – Collections

RESPONSIBLE TO:         Lyon County Attorney

DEFINITION: Collect delinquent debt (court, jail room and board) through a variety of programs offered through the Lyon County Attorney’s Office and provide general legal and administrative services as necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS: Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Initiate and follow up on fine collection procedures on cases with delinquent court debt.
2. Index and file legal documents, correspondence, and reports related to fine collections.
3. Monitor payment schedules to ensure payments are made in a timely fashion and take appropriate action when payment schedules are not met.
4. Analyze court files and prepare legal documents for a variety of purposes, primarily to assist in fine collection.
5. Participate in researching, compiling, and analyzing data for fine collection projects and reports.
6. Offer collection and payment solutions to engage Defendants in repayment of restitution and enrolled in driver’s license reinstatement programs.
7. Answer Defendant inquires via telephone, written correspondence, or in person.  Provide information regarding the status of cases, next action, and available options.
8. Promote fine collection programs offered by the Lyon County Attorney’s Office using printed materials, public contact, and working with other agencies in the County.
9. Provide information and assistance to the public; screen telephone calls and requests for information; route calls to appropriate staff members or refer to other departments or agencies as appropriate.
10. Perform related or additional duties and responsibilities as required.
11. Ability to multitask, focus on detail, and work professionally with the public.

REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment including software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, Internet Explorer.
• Basic terminology involved in the legal and criminal justice environments.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

REQUIRES ABILITY TO:

• Read and interpret documents such as law enforcement reports, government or agency regulations.
• Maintain professionalism while working with the public.
• Ability to multitask and be resourceful.
• Write effective reports, business correspondence and policy and procedure recommendations.
• Solve practical problems and deal with variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Perform responsible work that may involve the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Operate and use modern office equipment. Skill in operation of computers, Excel, Word, and other common office equipment.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting for extended periods of time, operating assigned equipment, and maintaining effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, operating assigned equipment.

SUPERVISION: Receives immediate supervision from County Attorney related to legal matters. Receives immediate supervision from Legal Assistants related to scheduling and other general office matters.

WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Office environment; work with computer and office equipment. Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time and operating assigned equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. Employee must be licensed to drive and have reliable transportation to travel as may be required to perform the assigned job duties. Some limited overnight travel may be required.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION GUIDELINES: Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical method for a candidate to obtain required knowledge and abilities would be: An Associate’s degree from an accredited institution with a major or coursework in legal studies, business administration, communications, criminal justice, or related fields. Degree not required if experience and training would otherwise qualify the candidate to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position. Previous experience in a legal setting may be beneficial but not necessary, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Excellent knowledge of modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment including software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, Internet Explorer.
2. Computer literate and familiar with current information technology.
3. Basic terminology involved in the legal and criminal justice environments.
4. English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
5. Ability to be a self-starter, a goal setter, able to manage stress, time, resource management and organizational skills.
6. Strong interpersonal skills to work with a wide variety of people individually and in groups.
7. A valid driver’s license. Access to reliable vehicle with adequate car insurance and willingness to travel for training. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintains, organizes, edits, and updates files and records of individuals owing court debt and/or jail fees. Has primary responsibility for fine collections matters.
2. Proactively contacts and engages with those owing court debt and/or jail fees to establish payment plans and collect fines. Prepares payment plans, wage assignments, wage garnishments, and other legal documents for signature and filing. Files legal documents as needed/directed.
3. Is on call/available during working hours to answer questions and provide updates as needed regarding fine collections and progress of payment plans.
4. Monitors payment plans for timely payment and compliance. Takes steps to contact individuals who miss or are delinquent on payment plans. Takes appropriate steps regarding delinquent payment plans
5. Acts as a point of contact for driver’s license reinstatement plans (DLRPs), monitors DLRPs, and takes appropriate action when necessary on DLRPs
6. Acts as a point of contact for law enforcement and other involved entities for information on fine collections matters.
7. Meet regularly with the County Attorney to obtain/maintain necessary information regarding fine collections, exchange updates on case status.
8. Answer incoming phone calls, greet and direct visitors to the County Attorney’s Office.

Closing date: April 30, 2025

Application for Employment

Return Application To

Lyon County Attorney's Office
402 S 2nd Ave, Suite 301
Rock Rapids IA 51246

• Job Type: Full-Time
• Department: Attorney
• Posted: 3/17/25
• Expires: 4/30/25