Collections Specialist

The California State University; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University, Fresno State is seeking a detail-oriented Collection Specialist to manage past-due student accounts and support financial success. You will contact students by phone and email to resolve balances, establish payment plans, and coordinate with outside agencies on escalated accounts.

The role requires strong collections experience, excellent customer service, and the ability to balance empathy with firm resolution, while maintaining compliance with FERPA and

Qualifications

• Experience in financial record-keeping and office procedures.
• Familiarity with GAAP concepts and privacy requirements (FERPA).
• Proficient using MS Word/Excel and email apps; basic finance systems.
• Ability to interpret university policies for students and staff.
• Strong organization to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to review financial documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Strong communication and customer-service skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage past-due portfolios and engage students by phone and email.
• Establish structured payment plans and monitor progress.
• Coordinate with outside collection agencies for escalated accounts.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and reporting of collections activity.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Two+ years college coursework (accounting emphasis)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Internet & email apps

Job description

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated hiring salary is up to $4,570 per month (Step 1).

The salary range for this classification is $4,570 -$6,658per month.

• This is a full-time (equivalent to 40 hours per week), probationary, non-exempt position.
• Positions at Fresno State are to perform their work onsite. Some positions, depending upon University needs and operations, may be eligible for remote work, one day per week, pursuant to Fresno State's remote work guidelines and the CSU policy.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here .

Job Summary

The Office of Student Accounts is seeking a detail-oriented and knowledgeable Collection Specialist to manage comprehensive collections activities and support student financial success. In this role, you will take ownership of past-due portfolios, proactively engaging with students via phone and email to resolve outstanding balances and establish structured payment plans. The ideal candidate brings strong collections experience to balance professional, empathetic student outreach with firm account resolution, while also coordinating directly with outside collection agencies to manage escalated accounts.

Key Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of financial record-keeping, mathematical, and general office methods, procedures, and practices.
• Basic knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, internet and email applications, and integrated electronic financial, cashiering, key-card, or records-management systems.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply relevant regulations, policies, procedures, and privacy requirements, including FERPA and applicable CSU executive orders.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment; anticipate conditions; establish priorities; and meet deadlines.
• Ability to review financial documents and transactions for accuracy, completeness, validity, authorization, and adherence to standards.
• Ability to compute and post figures rapidly and accurately; maintain files and records; and identify, trace, investigate, and correct errors and discrepancies.
• Ability to prepare and analyze reconciliations, complex spreadsheets, reports, queries, and technical correspondence efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to interpret and apply written rules, regulations, accounting procedures, and university policies to accounting and customer-service issues.
• Ability to use initiative and sound judgment in analyzing information, determining a course of action, resolving unusual problems, and making recommendations.
• Ability to devise new methods, develop procedures, and modify and document established procedures based on precedent and university policies.
• Ability to communicate clearly, accurately, concisely, and professionally, both verbally and in writing, including information requiring extensive interpretation.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service, listen effectively, de-escalate difficult situations, and maintain a professional, service-oriented approach.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, coworkers, campus partners, external agencies, vendors, and members of the public from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to historically minoritized groups and support equitable, culturally responsive, service-oriented practices.
• Ability to work closely with Technology Services, end users, and internal customers to support system and data integrity, upgrades, enhancements, and issue resolution.
• Ability to provide training, technical assistance, and work direction to other employees and student assistants.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and perform accurately amid interruptions and changing priorities.
• Ability to work extended hours during registration, payment deadlines, year-end processing, and other peak periods.

Education and Experience

• Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Equivalent to four years of progressively responsible financial record-keeping experience that has provided the required knowledge and abilities.
• Experience working with integrated electronic systems and/or cashiering, key-card, financial, or records-management systems.
• Experience preparing reports, spreadsheets, reconciliations, and financial analyses.
• Customer-service experience, including interpreting university policies and regulations for students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using PeopleSoft Finance, Cashnet, or comparable computerized accounting and cashiering systems.
• Collections, student-account, sponsor-billing, loan-administration, or cashiering experience.
• Two or more years of college coursework with an accounting emphasis.
• California State University, higher-education, or other governmental experience.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Working knowledge of databases, queries, and reporting tools.
• Supervisory, lead, or training experience.
• Demonstrated history of providing excellent customer service.

Department Summary

Accounting Services is dedicated to facilitating the primary mission of the University by seeking the most cost-effective methods of delivering services while continuing to implement improvement of services to students, employees and all other customers.

Additional Information

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Campus Safety ActNotification

The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics ofCleryAct crimes for Fresno State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at [e-mail] .

Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy , it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Questions may be sent to [e-mail] .

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with California State University, Fresno. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Fresno State has identified as sensitive.

California State University, Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Human Resources Department at [phone].

Fresno State is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. (e.g. H1-B Visas)

Advertised: Sep 30 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: