Towson University (TU) has earned distinction as both a top-100 public university and one of nation's great colleges to work for. Located north of Baltimore, TU currently enrolls more than 19,000 students and is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivating the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

The Office Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day of the Customer Service section in Parking Services while using independent judgement to determine if circumstances warrant adjusting and/or exceptions to regular practices.  Areas of responsibilities will include customer service, account management (Flex, PeopleSoft, Pay by Phone system, etc.); will be assisting in the coordination of the Customer Service (Front Desk A&F Team) section operational activities responsibilities, recruitment, training, and associated tasks. This role will require strong knowledge of all Parking & Transportation policies and procedures while understanding how to apply them when resolving customer issues.

This role has been identified as essential personnel and may be required work outside of normal business hours in support of campus events.

Responsibilities and Duties

Account Management – Escalations & Exception processing:

• Responsible for processing and handling customer requests and escalations. Ensure decisions are in line with policy and procedure intent.
• Responsible for handling customer escalations from A&F front desk section staff including complaints, appeals, exceptions, suspected inappropriate use of permits, excessive violation of department regulations, parking sanctions, etc.
• Responsible for completing required in-depth research on customer accounts which may involve University Billing Office, MVA, Towing Company, etc.
• Coordination with PTS Operation IT Analyst for any parking management system issues creating customer and/or account issues to resolve where appropriate.

Department Liaison:

• Partner and serve as the liaison for Parking & Transportation Services with cross-functional teams for any customer service-related exceptions, escalations, issues, and/or concerns for parking permits, appeals, and citations for other sections within the department, other university departments, and external vendors.

Customer Account Processing

• Special Permit Request - Through research and applying critical thinking, process special permit requests to determine the best and appropriate permit type if applicable criteria have been met to approve and/or deny requests.  Use independent judgment to determine if a parking exception or modification to exception can be accommodated with existing or through coordination to create permit types (where applicable/appropriate) to the routine approach is warranted.
• Appeal Processing – review appeal requests, complete in-depth research, and based on the information determine if the fine should be reduced and if so by how much.
• Exception Requests – review requests for exceptions to normal approaches for permits, parking assignments, etc. to determine if the request should be approved, and if approved, define criteria (where, how long, cost, etc.) for the exception.
• Account issue resolution - through in-depth research and using independent judgment, determine if any mistake, error, etc occurred and determine the appropriate resolution to include account updates, refund processing, credit & debit processing, process adjustments, coordination with other offices, ASBO, Student Billing, MVA, Central Collections, etc.
• Process requests for virtual permits to include department guest permits, special department requests (construction, company vehicles, etc.),

Monitoring Operations & Procedures

• Monitor trends and/or customer service section systems for potential improvements and/or problem resolution which require coordination with other sections or departments on campus where appropriate.
• Responsible for coordinating with Assistant Director A&F or designee to provide recommendations for improving efficiency and service.
• Serve as back-up and assume the responsibilities in the absence of the Office Coordinator to includes but not limited to monitoring front office staff, assigning tasks, and providing support to front office staff.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree and five years or more of related experience.
• Strong customer service, work ethic, analytical, leadership, and mentorship skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Ability to organize, prioritize, follow up and track multiple tasks in a high-volume and fast paced environment.? Work efficiently with confidence and minimal oversight.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently.
• Ability to familiarize and use operational technology.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience, and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education of experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior operations management, business administration, or related field experience that includes customer account management.

Salary and Benefits 

Salary at $50,000-$53,000 annually and full University benefits include 22 days of annual leave, up to 17 holidays, personal and sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, click here. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

This position will be open for a minimum of 14 days. A cover letter and resume with your online application is required. 

About Towson University

The largest comprehensive university in the Baltimore area, Towson University is nationally recognized for its excellent programs in the arts and sciences, communications, business, health professions, education, fine arts and computer information systems. Located in suburban Towson, eight miles north of Baltimore, our beautifully landscaped, 328-acre setting offers a pleasant environment for study and a diverse campus life, as well as easy access to a wealth of university and community resources. Towson University's educational experience branches out to off-campus locations throughout Maryland, including a number of online options. Our many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. Towson University is a founding member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).

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