Job Description

• New Hires Hourly Starting Rate -$23.22
• 35 Hours Per Week

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for the collection and recording of all monies received over the counter and through the US Mail for tax payments, certification requests (current and delinquent), Treasurer licenses, and delinquent Tax Claim payments. This position involves financial tasks involving data entry into the appropriate systems to apply payments accurately, daily balancing and reporting, tax certifications, issuing of licenses, data inquiry, letter composition, filing, phone service, and record keeping.

Employees must assist in maintaining high program performance standards through efficient work practices. Attention to detail and accuracy are critical to this function. Failure to accurately record payments could result in properties being turned over to Tax Claim, making them subject to tax sale. Cash handling and maintaining a cash drawer are essential.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions:

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

Tax Payments/Certifications:

• Collect and record all incoming payments received via US Mail, delivery service, or over the counter.
• Maintain and balance individual tax collections per district for deposit.
• Maintain and balance individual tax claim payments for deposit.
• Issue tax certifications for the Treasurer and Tax Claim Bureau to taxpayers as well as various entities such as title companies.
• Review and issue revised tax bills according to the monthly STEB report.
• Review Hotel tax monthly collections for accuracy. Follow up with the hotel on any incorrect reports. Enter the information into the ledger and/or database as appropriate. Deposit the funds into the appropriate bank account.

Licensing:

• Issue dog, antlerless deer (doe), fishing, and hunting license(s) received online in addition to US Mail, delivery service, and over-the-counter.
• Maintain and balance license fees for deposit to the appropriate bank account.
• Receive, assign, and distribute annual dog licenses to authorized county agents. Collect, inventory, and maintain unissued licenses from the previous year for audit by the State Auditor General’s Office and the county internal audit.
• Prepare the monthly licensing reports for the disbursement of fees to the state and the county for dog, fishing, and hunting license issuance.
• Review and prepare Bingo and Small Games of Chance applications received online, via U.S. Mail, delivery service, and over the counter for final approval. Once approved, deposit the funds (where applicable) into the appropriate bank account and complete the process to issue the license.

Additional Functions:

• Record and remote deposit funds into the Escheat bank account as approved by the Chief Deputy Treasurer.
• Compare the AP check distribution listing against printed checks to ensure no check was missed during the check creation process. Once confirmed, the checks can be released to the recipients upon approval by the Board of Commissioners and/or COO.
• Prepares and maintains Tax Claim files, including but not limited to additional notifications.
• Assists in statutorily mandated public tax sales three times per year at which delinquent taxpayers’ property is exposed to auction for payment of delinquent taxes.
• Customer Service-answering phones, waiting on customers at the counter, assisting the public.
• Operates office equipment: PC, calculator, fax, copier, printer.
• Respond to Treasurer and Tax Claim inbox messages.
• Supports both Treasurer and Tax Claim Office Support personnel.
• Additional tasks as required to ensure the mission of the Treasurer and Tax Claim offices is completed.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or possession of a G.E.D. Certificate from a recognized issuing agency.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in general word processing and office practices, including working with varied computer applications and PC experience.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to perform routine office support work.
• Basic elements of English language usage, spelling, and arithmetic.
• Ability to utilize word processing equipment as well as a calculator.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft Office (including Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the law as it pertains to County Government.
• Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties, to include all other employees.
• Knowledge of office methods, practices, and procedures and ability to make arithmetical calculations.
• Ability to defuse upset customers.
• Ability to maintain composure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds a distance of 15 feet or less.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Normal cubicles or own workstation, small office environment. Work is primarily performed during regular business hours. The position may require working in moderately noisy to loud environments, including cubicles and communal workspaces, and participating in frequent collaborative team meetings. The work environment may include a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and interactions with employees, the public, and other stakeholders.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The County of Berks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

About Us

Berks County is a combination of rich farm country, industry, beautiful parks, entertainment, and top-notch educational institutions. Whether you are interested in County services, the availability of our parks, tax rates, or other ​county information, this is the place to start.