Collections specialist, office of the bursar - ut chattanooga

The Collections Specialist is responsible for all university bad debt collections which include Perkins loans, Student and Staff account receivables, returned checks and other university department requests.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for all aspects of bad debt collections for the University, both written and verbal, including counseling students and loan borrowers to resolve their outstanding debts.
• Makes payment arrangements for employees with outstanding balances prior to payroll deduction.
• Responsible for making payment arrangements with debtors to avoid further collection action.
• Assists with reviewing bankruptcies, documents, and any other request from the university general counsel for any subpoenas, garnishments or legal request.
• Follows up with consolidation request for all student loan borrowers.
• Assists with processing paperwork for loans as required by the Federal Government.
• Responsible for referring non-collected accounts to various outside Collection agencies, including monitoring collection reports, payments, and the explanation of debts referred.
• Serves as the primary contact for our third-party collection vendors.
• Provides backup for the Assistant Bursar/Loans in receipting loan payments, assisting borrowers with their student loan consolidation, entrance, and exit interview paperwork.
• Reviews holds for off-boarding employees and updates the Bursar prior to submission.
• Prepares accounts during fiscal year end for write off request and approval.
• Ensures accounts are monitored, returned, and documented prior to write off request.
• Enters, balances, and reconciles write-off accounts in BANNER Student information system after approval.
• Monitors write-offs and holds as they are paid.
• Assists with all aspects of student fees during peak periods in the Bursar’s office.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be familiar with policies for student loans, student fees, and installment plans.
• Must have good organizational and computer skills, the ability to multi-task, and be able to work well with the public and other team members.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including phone etiquette are required.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin October 5, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum: Requires a high school diploma; 2 years of experience in collections within a college or an office setting handling multiple-job tasks; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; 2 years in collections or collecting bad debt and 1-2 years working in higher education is preferred.

Work Location:

• University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, TN Campus
• This is a fully on-site position.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT Market Range: MR06
• Anticipated hiring salary: $45,000 - $48,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure
• Find more information on UT Benefits

ABOUT US

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee’s largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs—at both the master's and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga—nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation—are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.

Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.

From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.