Loan Services Officer At HIAS

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish people – a history of oppression, displacement, and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Loan Services Officer to be responsible for collecting travel loans granted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to HIAS clients for their migration to the U.S. as refugees. Inventory in this portfolio is approximately $4 million. The Loan Services Officer will administer the database to record, report (FDCRA), and analyze client repayments per IOM Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This role features ongoing dialogue with clients and implementing partner sites.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maximizes repayment of loans by implementing the collection strategy and, with manager, devising new ways to improve the operation.
• Handles collection activities on difficult cases, including skip tracing of clients as necessary.
• Knows all facets of collections and trains any potential new staff on content.
• Prepares daily and monthly collections reports.
• Develops, implements, and documents all relevant Travel Loan policies and procedures.
• Maintains and transfers electronic and manual data to our credit reporting agency, TransUnion; handles consumer disputes filed through TransUnion.
• Liaises with IOM on collections reports, posting of new accounts, transferring non-performing loans, and uploading and validating of electronic promissory notes to system.
• Liaises with resettlement sites and communities regarding contact information on travel loan clients.
• Posts manual and wholesale lockbox payments and return items; liaises with M&T Bank on lockbox operations.
• Assists with preparing leadership reports.
• Counsels clients on re-structing payment plans.
• Researches and analyzes customer accounts to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Assists with system upgrades and improvements.
• Maintains client confidentiality.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.
• 3-5 years of relevant work experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of Federal and State Debt Collection Laws preferred.
• Bilingual (Arabic) preferred but not required.
• Lived experience of migration or resettlement in a new country is preferred.
• Computer-literate, experience in network environment, internet, and e-mail transfer of data, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel and Word).
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Excellent time management/organizational skills; ability to effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to problem solve.
• Ability to deliver high-quality results in a timely manner.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.

For questions, please contact Spencer Hirsch, Director, Talent Acquisition or Carolyn Hamburg, Talent Acquisition Associate.