Tax Collections Investigator

Job Description:

Tax Collections Investigator

Description

Introduction

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

POSITION INFORMATION



Placer County is seeking an experienced professional to conduct field investigations and inspections in support of the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s collection activities. This role involves performing onsite business license inspections, investigating businesses and individuals, and collecting delinquent taxes. Under the direction of the Treasurer-Tax Collector, the incumbent will also interview witnesses, review and analyze records for potential violations, and initiate small claims court actions as necessary.

The ideal candidate will have a solid background in field investigations, particularly in taxation, finance, or regulatory compliance. They should be skilled at interpreting and clearly explaining laws and regulations, with the ability to make sound decisions independently in the field.

Equally important is a strong commitment to customer service, approaching each interaction with professionalism, respect, and a solutions-oriented mindset. Integrity, discretion, and strong communication skills are essential for working with sensitive information and fostering positive relationships with the public and business community.

Please note: The salary for this classification will be $103,115.58 - $128,807.54, effective August 9, 2025, pending Board of Supervisors adoption.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Management benefits .

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform difficult and complex work in the collection of defaulted secured or unsecured property taxes; to research and prepare investigative findings and reports which address defaulted property taxes and to present findings to the Treasurer-Tax Collector; and to pursue the collection of defaulted property taxes through the execution of attachments, garnishments, seizures and conduct orders of examination; and to pursue the collection of defaulted property taxes through noticing and by process of the County tax land sale.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification serves as a highly skilled, independent technical expert on the most sensitive projects including orders of examination, objections to claims, analyzing and making recommendations concerning pending legislation. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit and the department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Received direction from the Treasurer/Tax Manager or assigned management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct investigations or surveillance of defaulted property taxes, fraudulent transfers, or unregistered businesses, and obtain collections on accounts by utilizing software and other tools either remotely or in the field; interview witnesses and assess, analyze, and evaluate testimony.
  
• Strategically examine and analyze a variety of books and records and/or perform onsite inspections to gather and document data concerning defaulted property taxes or suspected violations, negotiate payment plans, initiate small claims court action to enforce collection of delinquent secured or unsecured property taxes, seize and sell delinquent taxpayers personal property, improvements, and possessory interests for satisfaction of delinquent taxes owed; notify owners of sale.
  
• Perform onsite inspections and collect Transient Occupancy Tax as assigned.
  
• File tax liens.
  
• Act as agent for the Tax Collector, appear and testify in Superior or small claims court as requested.
  
• Confer with the Tax Collector or assigned supervisor, and/or staff of the County Counsel regarding the initiation of legal actions.
  
• Assist County Counsel in providing information needed for legal actions.
  
• File necessary documents and prepare and provide records for recovery of delinquent property taxes subject to Federal bankruptcy; prepare correspondence and memos.
  
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and evaluate the work of assigned professional, technical, and clerical staff; provide and/or coordinate staff training; participate in the selection of staff; conduct performance evaluations; recommend and implement discipline.
  
• Participate in the compilation and preparation of the annual budget, including assisting divisions with budget preparation, preparing and updating cash flow, cost projections, and estimated revenues and expenditures.
  
• Assume responsibility for various departmental accounting functions including financial statements, general ledger, monthly statements, and special project accounting; conduct and prepare special studies and reports.
  
• Assist in resolving problems and recommend methods to increase effectiveness and efficiency of collections work.
  
• Interpret and explain collection policies, California Revenue and Taxation Code, Federal Bankruptcy law and other legal and regulatory requirements to staff, other agencies, and the public.
  
• Maintain files and records pertaining to accounts and investigations, interpret data, reconcile performance statistics to performance goals and objectives; assist auditors in finding files and records.
  
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
  
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience or Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible journey level experience interpreting and administering laws related to tax law compliance or debt collection work;

OR

Five (5) years investigative experience in fraud, law enforcement, public safety, code compliance, or related field.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.

Required License or Certificate:

May need to possess a valid California driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Property tax collection laws as prescribed in California Revenue and Taxation Code.
  
• Field investigation techniques, including surveillance methods and best practices for assessing fraudulent transfers and unregistered businesses.
  
• Principles and practices of supervision; training, and performance evaluation.
  
• Methods for assessing credibility and accuracy or statements in investigations.
  
• General functions of a collection agency and commercial law applicable to collections.
  
• Financial record keeping.
  
• Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including how to effectively communicate complex legal and policy requirements to non-experts.
  
• Federal bankruptcy law relative to property tax collections, including necessary filings and document preparation.
  
• Operations, procedures, and regulations applicable in assigned department.
  
• Sources of information used in locating persons.
  
• Methods used for the collection of delinquent accounts including payment negotiation strategies and enforcement procedures such as tax liens, seizures, and sales.
  
• Procedures for conducting onsite inspections related to delinquent taxes, Transient Occupancy Tax collection, and property compliance.
  
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computer software and applications.
  

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, observe, understand, identify, interpret, recall, explain, analyze, and apply, office practices, policies, procedures and pertinent laws, rules, and regulations; analyze situations and determine proper course or action; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks, focus on a single task for long periods of time.
  
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently stand, walk, twist, squat, kneel, bend, and climb, while in the filed or to reach equipment surrounding desk, or other office equipment, files, or supplies; perform simple and power grasping, pushing and pulling, and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate or to enter/retrieve data; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; and lift moderate weight.
  
• Evaluate data, information, and testimony, and draw conclusions concerning compliance with California Revenue and Taxation Code and County policies and procedures, and clearly explain findings to staff, other agencies, and the public.
  
• Supervise, coordinate, train and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
  
• Interpret and apply to specific cases, the provisions of laws, rules or regulations enforced or administered by the Treasurer Tax Collector.
  
• Apply technical knowledge to solve problems related to the property tax collection system.
  
• Read and interpret parcel maps to locate properties.
  
• Prepare reports and maintain records, including documentation related to investigations, surveillance findings, and legal actions.
  
• Conduct and document onsite inspections for compliance with tax regulations and collection efforts.
  
• Analyze property tax and collection-related situations accurately and take effective actions, including negotiating payment plans and enforcing delinquent tax sales.
  
• Use modern office equipment, including computer equipment, software, and applications.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
  
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Lindsay Baer, Administrative Technician, at LBaer@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4667.

Closing Date/Time: 8/12/2025 5:00:00 PM

Salary:

$47.44 - $59.26/hour; $8,222.93 - $10,271.73/month; $98,675.20 - $123,260.80/year