Payments Specialist

Job Details

• Recruitment Type:
  Open to All Applicants
• Position Title:
  
  Payments Specialist
• Position Type:
  Staff
• Benefits Status:
  Benefits Eligible
• FLSA:
  Non-Exempt
• Hiring Range: $20.25-$21.75 per hour, plus excellent benefits.
• Location:
  
  Tacoma, WA 98447
• Department:
  Business Office
• Posting Date: 01/08/2026
• Closing Date:
  When a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified.

Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. This position is an in-person role and is not eligible for remote or hybrid work.

The Payments Specialist performs general cashiering, daily banking and third party reconciliation duties for PLU. Responsible for monitoring banking, processing student account payments, department deposits and scholarship payments. Reconciling and monitoring the university's third party student account payment processor and payment plan provider. This position also supports the Student Account area. Reports to the Director of Financial Operations.

• Daily monitoring of all bank account transactions including providing daily reports to the AVP for Finance, Accountants, and the Director of Financial Operations.
• Monitor and reconcile the university's third party student account payment processor.
• Monitor and reconcile the university's third party payment plan provider.
• Reconcile and manage Pre-Travel and Expense accounts with the university's ERP system.
• Issues expense and event advances as well as cash reimbursements.
• Apply payments to student accounts.
• Process outside scholarship payments.
• Process departmental deposits.
• Monitor and release student account holds.
• Process credit card refunds.
• NSF processing and monitoring.
• Assist in the process of assigning student accounts to collections.
• Answer student, parent/guardian and internal department questions regarding student accounts, payment plans and general payment related questions.
• Provide support to various areas of the Office of Financial Services including fielding calls and in-person questions at the main desk.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work in partnership with other university departments.
• Money handling experience.
• Ability to work independently, as well as with a team.
• Ability to set priorities, manage details and multiple responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc).
• 10 key by touch.
• Knowledge and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Experience in accounts receivable and/or cashiering.
• 1.5 years of customer service experience. Education can substitute for some experience.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Willingness to become a notary at the cost of the university.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background and credit checks.

• Bank related experience as a Teller or Customer Service Representative.

PLU is a small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration --- it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a diverse faculty, staff, and student