Senior Payment Systems Specialist

The Senior Payment Systems Specialist (Sr. PSS) is responsible for assisting the Payment Systems Manager with synthesizing data and information on payment transactions to ensure the credit union’s compliance with internal controls, operating procedures, regulatory requirements, and industry standards of the high-risk and critical daily operations of the ACH, Wire, Share Draft, and Real Time Payments Programs. The Sr. PSS supports the enterprise serving as a payments expert, being certified in their area of expertise, and aiding in daily operations. A Sr PSS’s efforts ensure that policies, procedures, and operating controls comply with all applicable laws and regulations, risks and mitigation tactics are identified, and both credit union and member impact is considered regarding current and future payment trends. The Sr. PSS assists the Payment Systems Manager by providing insight on projects, resolving escalated member or partner concerns, assists with departmental training and meeting facilitation, and acts as a Payment Systems liaison between departments or vendors in the absence of the Payments System Manager. 

1)      Ensures that all critical functions related to the ACH Share Draft, and Real Time Payment Programs are completed in a manner that allows for a high level of member service with strict adherence to internal policies, procedures, practices, and requirements including NACHA Operating Rules and other applicable regulations. This includes the posting and balancing of all incoming and originated ACH and Draft Files for the credit union. Analyze ACH Draft, and Real Time Payments posting exceptions, Transaction Code, and Positive Pay reports to determine appropriate action is taken on every item and create Notice of Change (NOC) entries as needed. Properly identify potential risk and suspicious activity and report findings to the appropriate party. Prompt, efficient, and accurate service is required. (20%)

2)      Specialists are responsible for the execution of incoming and outgoing domestic and international wire transfers with strict adherence to regulatory requirements, internal controls, practices, and operating procedures. Provides prompt, efficient, and accurate service by to meet service level agreements in place. Perform authentication of outgoing wire requests, verification and validation of wiring instructions, and risk mitigation activities to limit loss for the credit union and its members. Ensures all wire transfer files are accurate and accepted by the appropriate wire processing provider for handling. Review incoming wire transfer transactions before posting to ensure appropriate member owner accounts are credited. Maintain the integrity of the credit unions wire transfer program by promptly identifying potential risk and suspicious activity and report findings to the appropriate party. (20%)

3)      Serves as subject matter experts and point of escalation for more complex issues and research for the service delivery teams. Provides expert knowledge by training of new partners in Payment Systems. (15%)

4)      Research and resolve returned deposit items, post hand payroll, and perform account maintenance for the credit union’s dormant account process. Proper reconciliation of accounts in accordance with regulatory and compliance requirements is critical for each respective request. (10%)

5)      Maintains detailed and current knowledge of critical regulations. Ensures proper policies, procedures, risk mitigation activities, and operating controls are followed to minimize credit union loss. Reports gaps in policies, procedures, and operating controls along with recommendations for correction and assists leadership with implementation to ensure member impact and risk is mitigated. (10%)

a)       NACHA Operating Rules and Guidelines

b)      Regulation E (Electronic Funds Transfer Act)

c)       Regulation CC (Funds Availability)

d)      All other applicable regulations, policies, procedures, and operating controls within the Payment Systems program

6)      Advise management of irregular or recurring problems along with recommendations for improvements and assists with implementation to better the service provided by Payment Solutions. (5%)

7)      Research, analyze, and resolve complex loan adjustment or audits and interest calculation audit requests to include reconciliation of loan interest, payment history, and loan forecast adjustments in an expeditious manner. (5%)

8)      Create and maintain procedures and resources that comply with all federal state or applicable regulations under the direction of the Payment Systems Manager. (5%)

9)      Perform routine research and utilize multiple software applications such as our core system, wire transfer application, fraud detection application, and various check image storage solutions (5%)

10)   Other duties as assigned. (5%)

 The Senior Payment Systems Specialist must possess a high degree of working knowledge in the areas of regulations, products, and services, in the areas related to ACH, wires, drafts, Episys, and problem-solving skills.  The following are also required:

1)      Associate’s degree in business or related field preferred. Candidates who present an equivalent combination of formal training and extensive experience specific to payment systems or regulatory compliance may also be considered

2)      A minimum of two years (2) experience, preferably in a financial institution, or in payments systems is preferred

3)      A minimum of two years of credit union (financial institution) experience with bookkeeping and/or account processing outlined in Major Activities section 1.

4)      Ability to work in a face paced environment with tight deadlines

5)      Post-secondary training in the areas of business, finance or accounting preferred.

6)      Either AAP (ACH Accredited Professional) or NCP (National Check Professional) certification is required or must be attained within 2 years of attaining position. Must maintain certification as an Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) or National Check Professional (NCP) via third party vendor.

7)      A minimum of five-year experience in customer service with prior demonstrated problem-solving skills.     

8)      User experience in financial products such as Savings and Checking accounts, ACH, and bank-to-bank wires as well as a knowledge of basic accounting principles and practices.

9)      Strong written and verbal communication skills to include the ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles.

10)  Demonstrated ability to interpret federal and state regulations/laws as they pertain to areas of responsibly and the ability to adhere to them as well as recognize potential gaps in current processes.

11)  Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines while applying detail-oriented work habits.

12)  Ability to learn computer applications and apply them to the operational processes.

13)  Proficient use and knowledge of the personal computer along with Microsoft Office products and other routine office software.

14)  Demonstrated ability to analyze, reason, problem solve, and prioritize work independently and as a team.