Working at Kirtland CU is more than a job-it's a career, and one in the financial world! We pride ourselves on helping our employees learn, grow, and advance in any direction they choose. We offer a highly competitive salary, great benefits package and an energetic, vibrant work environment.

We are currently seeking a Post Charge-off Legal Specialist to join Kirtland Credit Union! This is a full-time, On-Site position, based at our Gibson Operations Center in Albuquerque. We encourage a cover letter when applying.

Sign on Bonus available with this position!

Join the rest of our teammates and become eligible for a generous benefits package that we offer:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement savings program
• 401 (k) employer match
• Paid time off with accrual starting from day one.
• 11 Paid holidays off during the year!
• Tuition Reimbursement for College Degrees
• Employee Clothing Advance
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Employer paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employer paid Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Travel Assistance Program

This is what we would like you to do:

Responsible for maximizing the recovery of charged-off loans and share accounts, including analyzing and evaluating debts, debtors, and courses of action consistent with applicable department standards, as well as working with collection agency partners and legal representatives. Provide supporting information and updates requested by authorized parties. Ensure accurate financial record-keeping for amounts received as recoveries, as well as tracking of amounts owed, including through judgment and garnishment or under a stipulated agreement. Interact with debtors, co-workers, attorneys, credit reporting agencies, debt collection agencies, and others as required by each situation. Support the credit union’s mission, vision, strategic goals, quality initiatives and service standards.

Primary Job Duties:

• Assumes responsibility for ensuring post charge-off collection efforts are timely, efficient, and accurate.
• Understands and assesses the different avenues for post charge-off debt collection, including the various potential outcomes of collections lawsuits, including stipulated agreements and judgment and garnishment.
• Understands and maintains current working knowledge of all applicable federal and state consumer credit collection laws and regulations, i.e., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in applicable states, as well as bankruptcy laws.
• Develops familiarity with Credit Union records and collections systems and other systems/applications which house information about and/or report on loans serviced by Credit Union, as well as how data is transmitted across such systems.
• Reviews and understands applicable legal documents, including contracts and court judgments.
• Testifies on behalf of Credit Union at court proceedings when and as required.
• Exercises ability to make sound decisions in routine and non-routine situations with minimal supervision.
• Updates credit bureau reporting for debtors who settle their debts.
• Performs assignments as required to include major responsibilities for controlling, coordinating, reviewing, and prioritizing work.
• Researches, evaluates, and analyzes a host of factors to inform decisions consistent with Account Resolution Department standards and procedures and, as appropriate, in consultation with the VP of Accounts Resolution, to maximize recovery of charged off debts, including whether and how to seek recovery.
• Assesses the status of the debt (such as whether there have been or are any post-charge off collections activities, whether it is one of multiple debts owed, the age of the debt, and whether an enforceable security interest exists). This may include reviewing contracts to determine applicable provisions.
• Researches status of the debtor(s), including location to understand which laws and recovery options apply.
• Calculates and tracks amounts owed by debtors and applies payments properly to interest, costs and fees, and damages.
• Evaluates debt posture to understand status of debt at time payment is received, including whether payment is being made pursuant to a settlement arrangement or agreement, garnishment, or otherwise.

Education/Certification:

• A two-year college degree (Associate’s degree) in business, finance, paralegal studies, or related field is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field strongly preferred.

Experience Required:

• One to three years of recent experience in a legal, debt collection, or related field.
• Working knowledge of all applicable federal and state consumer credit collection laws and regulations, i.e., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in applicable states, as well as bankruptcy laws, preferred.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of collection procedures with strong knowledge of loan products such as consumer loans, credit cards, mortgages, and vehicle loans.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work well with debtors, colleagues, and third parties
• Maintain professional appearance and conduct
• Multi-task oriented
• Problem solving abilities
• Ability to operate a PC
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to stand and sit for 8-hour shifts
• Ability to work in an office/cubical environment

To apply for this exciting opportunity, visit our careers page at www.kirtlandcu.org/careers

Kirtland Credit Union is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.