OPT Collections Representative Jobs
Collections Representative jobs are generally open to F-1 OPT students, though roles at banks and regulated lenders may require additional background checks. Standard OPT work authorization covers this field. Your STEM OPT extension applies if your degree is in business, finance, or a related quantitative discipline.
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Job Posting Title
Collections Field Officer
Agency
695 OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION
Supervisory Organization
ACE & Special Events
Job Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
Salary - $57,811
Job Description
Collections Field Officer - Tulsa Office
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT HERE!
TRANSPARENCY. FAIRNESS. COMPLIANCE. The Oklahoma Tax Commission is committed to leading Oklahoma with unparalleled customer service. Our mission is to promote tax compliance through serving taxpayers with transparency and fairness in administration of the tax code and unparalleled customer service. Check out our About Us page to learn why we are passionate about tax compliance and believe it is the career for you!
There are perks to working for the OTC. We know that benefits matter, and that is why we offer a competitive benefits package for all eligible employees:
- Generous state-paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
- A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
- Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
- A Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
- 15 days of paid vacation and 15 days of sick leave for full-time employees the first year.
- 11 paid holidays a year.
- Paid Maternity leave for eligible employees.
- Employee discounts with a variety of companies and vendors.
- A Longevity Bonus for years of service.
JOB SUMMARY
The Collections Field Officer is responsible for enforcing state tax laws by securing compliance from delinquent taxpayers through field investigations, asset identification, payment arrangements, and enforcement actions. This role requires independent judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to interact professionally with taxpayers, businesses, and legal entities in potentially sensitive situations. The Collections Field Officer will also serve as primary point of contact for businesses for the life cycle of accounts in assigned sections of the state. Appropriately addressing internal and external customer issues while respecting business needs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The functions performed by employees in this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
- This position serves as a field tax analyst, leading and coordinating efforts to ensure alignment in the collection of delinquent taxes, enforcement of cigarette and tobacco laws, and the assistance and education of Oklahoma business owners.
- Manage and prioritize an assigned caseload with minimal supervision by evaluating relevant data, reviewing applicable laws and procedures, determining appropriate courses of action, and providing taxpayers with clear, detailed action plans to meet deadlines.
- Serve legal documents—such as business closure orders, license revocations, injunctions, and other notices of legal action—to businesses that are not in compliance with state tax laws.
- Examine and investigate records, reports, and business practices to ensure compliance with state laws; determine and implement appropriate collection methods, including negotiating payment plans in accordance with policy.
- Direct field visits at business establishments to verify permits, licenses and tax compliance with state laws and regulations. Identify and register businesses who are actively selling or leasing tangible personal property in Oklahoma without a permit as required by statute.
- Conduct routine tobacco and cigarette inspections at retailers and wholesalers. Verify permits and licenses, inspect products and invoices, and confiscate noncompliant products in accordance with Oklahoma statutes and rules.
- Educate owners at new and established businesses on the provisions of various tax laws, basis of liability, and assist taxpayers with filing state sales tax and remittance of payment through the electronic payment system.
- Manage verbal and/or written communication with the taxpayer or account representative concerning delinquent or noncompliant inquiries; provide summaries of findings for review.
- Engage with taxpayers in assigned regions via phone, email, and in-person visits to notify them of unpaid business tax liabilities and outstanding delinquencies. Provide guidance on the necessary steps to achieve tax compliance.
- Complete all required actions to address compliance issues, advise taxpayers of resolution options, and escalate as needed.
- Manage competing demands with focus and discipline to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
- Research and review applicable laws, regulations, and procedures to provide taxpayers detailed action plans.
- May be required to serve as the agency’s witness for court proceedings as it pertains to the validity and collection of outstanding liabilities and delinquencies.
- Assists in projects as assigned.
COMPLEXITY OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of
- Basic accounting methods and principles; business tax laws.
- Effective records management, organization and file maintenance.
- Financial record interpretation, including wholesaler and retailer invoices.
- Extensive research techniques and methodologies.
- Office technology and computer systems, including case management databases and electronic payment systems.
Skills in
- Highly effective verbal & written communication, including conflict resolutions and de-escalation practices.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Strong analytical, problem solving, time management and negotiation skills.
- Detail-oriented with research and investigative experience.
- Proficient with office software and desktop productivity tools, such as Microsoft Office programs and Google Docs.
- High level of accuracy and efficiency in data entry tasks.
Ability to
- Review, analyze, and calculate tax liabilities.
- Exercise independent judgment and provide prompt service.
- Establish and maintain a positive, effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
- Demonstrate de-escalation techniques to manage difficult interactions, while maintaining professionalism and fostering positive outcomes.
- Effectively multi-task, set priorities and manage time to meet deadlines.
- Inspect records to determine compliance; Determine tax liability.
- Interpret and apply policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Maintain a professional, positive manner when interacting with internal and external customers.
- Construct various types of reports for field planning.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience Requirements consist of:
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or a related field
- AND two (2) years of experience in auditing, accounting, finance, taxation and revenue, credit collections, or investigative work
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel extensively within assigned territory.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Three (3) or more years of professional experience in auditing, accounting, finance, or similar field
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications
- Previous tax or government knowledge
- Experience using tax and revenue administration software platforms.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Exhibit manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids. Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels, with or without aids. Ability to communicate clearly. Physical ability to lift up to 15 pounds, to bend, stoop, climb stairs, walk and reach.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Extensive travel is required for this position. Applicants must have reliable transportation and able to perform all job-related travel. Possession and maintenance of a valid Oklahoma state driver’s license is also required.
Oklahoma Tax Commission’s normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm. This schedule may require minor flexibility based on the needs of the agency.
Telework may be required based on the needs of the agency, division, and section. If applicable, applicant must be willing and able to work BOTH on-site and telework at an off-site location, generally in the applicant’s home. Applicant must have a secure internet connection and a dedicated telephone (landline) or smart phone device during scheduled working hours.
This position has access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) and is required to uphold the strictest standards of confidentiality as an essential part of its job responsibilities. This includes safeguarding all tax information obtained from records, files, tax returns, and departmental investigations, whether in paper, electronic, or verbal form.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
All offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a fingerprint-based background check, reference check and federal and state tax compliance check.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:
Agency Contact
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Collections Representative
Target employers comfortable with work authorization
Third-party collections agencies and fintech companies hire OPT students more readily than large banks. Smaller agencies focus on performance, not sponsorship complexity, making them practical first employers for building U.S. collections experience.
Highlight compliance and regulatory knowledge
Familiarity with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act signals professionalism to hiring managers. Mention FDCPA awareness in your resume even if self-taught. Employers in collections value candidates who understand legal boundaries around consumer contact.
Emphasize bilingual communication skills
Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, or other languages is a genuine competitive advantage in collections. Many employers actively seek bilingual representatives. This skill can make you the stronger candidate and offset any hesitation about OPT authorization timelines.
Address your OPT timeline proactively
Collections supervisors care about retention. In interviews, clarify your remaining OPT duration and explain whether you qualify for a STEM extension. A concrete timeline reduces uncertainty and signals that you've thought through your authorization situation.
Pursue STEM OPT extension if eligible
Business analytics, finance, and information systems degrees often qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Filing before your initial OPT expires gives employers three additional years of authorization, meaningfully improving your candidacy for collections roles with sponsorship potential.
Gain relevant certifications before applying
A credit or collections certificate from a recognized industry association strengthens your application. Certifications demonstrate commitment to the field and help offset employer uncertainty about OPT, especially for roles at larger financial services companies requiring background verification.
Collections Representative OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Collections Representatives?
Yes. Collections Representative roles are eligible for F-1 OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your field of study, such as business, finance, or communications. You must have an active EAD card before starting work. Third-party collections agencies and fintech lenders tend to be the most open to hiring OPT candidates.
Do Collections Representative jobs typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Some do, particularly at larger financial institutions and fintech companies where the role is classified as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree. Smaller collections agencies may not sponsor. The clearest path to sponsorship is joining an employer with an established immigration program and demonstrating strong performance during your OPT period. Migrate Mate lists collections roles filtered by sponsorship history to help you identify realistic targets.
Does a collections job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in business analytics, finance, information systems, or another qualifying STEM field, you can apply for the 24-month extension regardless of your job title. A Collections Representative role at an E-Verify employer satisfies the employment requirement. Confirm your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM designated degree program list before applying.
Are there background check concerns for OPT students in collections roles?
Regulated employers, especially banks and credit unions, run credit and criminal background checks that apply to all candidates, including OPT students. A clean record is typically sufficient. The background check process is the same for OPT holders as for any other candidate. Third-party agencies generally have lighter screening requirements if this is a concern.
What happens to my OPT status if I lose a collections job?
F-1 OPT allows up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment, or 150 days if you have a STEM extension. You must report the job separation to your DSO promptly so your SEVP record stays accurate. Finding a new qualifying position within that window keeps you in valid status. Search Migrate Mate for open collections and financial services roles to minimize gaps in employment.