Collections Specialist

Title: Collections Specialist

Location: Fresno - Central California

Job Description:

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

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

To view the full list of qualifications and job responsibilities, please click the Position Description button above.

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.

Deadline & Application Instructions

Applications received by October 14, 2026 will be given full consideration by the search committee.

• Applications received after that date will be forwarded at the request of the Hiring Manager and/or search committee.

Please click “Apply Now” to complete the employment application for California State University, Fresno. Interested applicants must complete the application and attach the following: 1) their most recent resumé/vitae, 2) a cover letter that addresses their specific qualifications and interest, and 3) contact information for three professional references.

Fresno State

California State University, Fresno is one of 22 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe. Fresno State is a tobacco-free, smoke-free and vapor-free campus.

Metropolitan Fresno, with a multi-ethnic population of over 527,000, is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. The campus is within driving distance of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula, beaches, sailing, lakes, and numerous ski resorts. Fresno boasts one of the most reasonable housing markets in California and offers a wide array of locally grown fruits and produce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA (MPP ONLY if applicable)  

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest (MPP ONLY if applicable)  

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background Check Information

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.

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.