Job Title: Collector
Location: Clay County, Missouri
Department: Collector
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Starting salary is commensurate with experience and education.
Role Overview
Clay County is seeking a highly skilled, community-minded financial leader to serve as the Collector. In this vital role, you will oversee the strategic management, collection, and distribution of current and delinquent real estate and personal property taxes. Serving as a trustee for various taxing entities, including school districts, cities, and fire departments, by collecting taxes on their behalf. The Collector's office is also responsible for collecting fees for the Missouri Department of Revenue, such as motor vehicle and driver's license fees. The position requires a deep understanding of Missouri state tax laws, exceptional financial management skills. and the ability to lead a team while providing excellent public service.
Primary Responsibilities
- Tax Billing & Collection: Oversee the distribution of Projected Tax Liability notices and manage the collection of real estate, personal property, merchant, railroad, and utility taxes.
- Revenue Distribution: Ensure the accurate, secure, and timely disbursement of collected ad valorem tax revenues to respective political subdivisions.
- Delinquency Enforcement: Lead annual tax certificate sales for delinquent real property, evaluate tax waivers, and prepare tax enforcement cases for court.
- Financial Administration: Act as custodian of all collected funds, manage the office's annual budget, and generate comprehensive reports for the County Commission and the State of Missouri.
- Team Leadership: Supervise, hire, train, and evaluate collection office staff while monitoring cash receipts and processing ACH transfers.
- Public Service Management: Direct daily office operations, resolve public property tax inquiries, and oversee motor vehicle registration renewals and state license issuances.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
- Experience: Minimum of five years of professional financial or collection experience, which must include supervisory or debt collection experience.
- Tax Compliance: Must remain current on all personal and real property taxes.
Desired Qualifications
- Previous experience working in public administration or local government sectors is highly preferred.
- Deep knowledge of Missouri state tax laws and statutory compliance framework.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong financial acumen and command of public accounting principles.
- Exceptional attention to detail with a high degree of processing accuracy.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for public and inter-agency relations.
- Proficiency in financial software platforms and Microsoft Office Suite.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
- Must be able to communicate effectively in person and by phone, review complex written financial materials, and operate standard office computers.
- Physical mobility to sit or stand at a keyboard, lift up to 10 pounds, bend, twist, squat, or climb ladders for occasional light maintenance or filing tasks.
- The position operates in an office environment with frequent interruptions, multiple competing demands, and noise levels that vary from moderately quiet to loud.
- public service addressing property tax inquiries.
Why Join Clay County?
Clay County provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health and long-term security:
- Retirement: Two defined benefit retirement plans (LAGERS and CERF) fully funded by the County, plus a deferred compensation match.
- Health & Wellness: Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance options, including plans with no-premium options.
- Time Off: 14 ½ paid holidays, accrued vacation, and paid sick leave.
- Additional Perks: County-paid life insurance (2x annual salary), tuition reimbursement, and employee discounts at Park facilities, boat rentals, and the golf course.
*Clay County is an equal opportunity employer.
