Patricia Thomas

MAJOR DUTIES: Provides prompt, professional, courteous service, and assistance to all internal and external customers. Takes or recommends actions to minimize the Service’s willful violations of the bankruptcy automatic stay provision, or discharge order.
Advises and consults with service employees regarding collection actions related to the routine and more difficult technical aspects of insolvency cases to expedite the payment of taxes and secure delinquent returns.
Examines legal documents, confers with taxpayers, their representatives, fiduciaries, judges, and government attorneys to resolve routine and more moderately difficult issues. Determines a course of action designed to protect the government’s interests in insolvency proceedings, and also examines the business structure to determine the feasibility of the debtor’s continued operation and proposed plan.
Researches routine and more moderately difficult case issues to dispose of unpaid liabilities. Determines the necessity for and initiates the investigation of the trust fund recovery penalty; monitors compliance with proposed plans and court orders; initiates corrective action upon default; appears and testifies regarding facts pertinent to government cases involved in court proceedings.
FACTOR 1, KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
FL 1-6=950 Pts.
Basic knowledge of the Bankruptcy Code, the Internal Revenue Code, state and local laws, court decisions, and the Internal Revenue Manual relative to the collection of federal taxes through bankruptcy proceedings is necessary to determine the nature of proceedings, reestablish the priority of government claims, monitor taxpayer compliance, perform dischargability analysis, and ensure the collection of valid taxpayer liabilities in bankruptcy proceedings.
Basic knowledge of technical, automated systems, business, and legal procedures, policies, principles, and practices to research and make financial determinations on bankruptcy cases. A basic familiarity with the IRS organizational structure, as well as Collection function policies and procedures, is required.
Knowledge of collection techniques and the ability to apply these to technical and legal issues is required.
Knowledge of fundamental investigative and analytical techniques and methods, and the ability to apply such techniques to the analysis of bankruptcy situations, is required.

FACTOR 4, COMPLEXITY FLD 4-3=150 Pts.
The work involves review, research, and analysis of bankruptcy cases, and advising Collection personnel regarding the collection of federal taxes in bankruptcy. Work typically performed encompasses bankruptcy cases that are routine to moderately difficult. The bankruptcy specialist identifies the issues, and plans the approaches and methods to be used. Issues that cannot be resolved by the incumbent are referred to higher-graded bankruptcy specialists.
FACTOR 5, SCOPE AND EFFECT FLD 5-3=150 Pts.
The work involves a variety of difficult tax problems for individual and business accounts under the bankruptcy laws and procedures. Decisions made and actions taken frequently have a direct and indirect bearing on the protection and collection of tax revenues in bankruptcy situations, and voluntary compliance with the tax laws.
FACTOR 6, PERSONAL CONTACTS FLD 6-2: Contacts are with taxpayers and/or their representatives. The specialist frequently interacts with tax practitioners, attorneys, and IRS officials at the District Counsel’s office. Contacts are also made with officials of the Bankruptcy Court, such as judges and trustees, and other federal, state, and local officials.
FACTOR 7, PURPOSE OF CONTACTS FLD 6-2/7-B = 75 Pts.
The purpose of contacts is to exchange information, provide advice or assistance, resolve issues and problems, and arrive at agreements for the settlement of tax-related issues.

• Processed payments received from clients promptly according to established procedures.
• Used mailings and phone solicitation and made presentations to groups at company-sponsored gatherings to gain new clientele.
• Participated in continuing education courses to stay current on industry trends and changes in regulations.
• Maintained accurate records of all insurance transactions using computer software systems.
• Analyzed claims data to determine potential areas of improvement for policyholders' protection.
• Sought out new clients and developed clientele by networking to find new customers.
• Explained complex technical terms related to insurance plans in simple language for easy understanding.
• Explained coverage options to potential policyholders, answering questions or concerns.
• Developed appropriate quotes based on risk information.
• Provided customers with information regarding plan features, pricing, and availability.
• Conducted telephone appointments with prospective clients to build rapport and sell insurance services.
• Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner to maintain high satisfaction levels.
• Gathered detailed information from customers prior to offering quotes or making recommendations.
• Responded quickly and accurately to inquiries from clients regarding their coverage plans.
• Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
• Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
• Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
• Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
• Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
• Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
• Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.

• Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys as required by firm policy or client needs.
• Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
• Organized legal documents in company filing systems and databases.
• Scanned physical documents into electronic format for storage in a secure database system.
• Assisted with document production and deposition preparation.
• Filed pleadings and appeals with court clerks to expedite trial proceedings.
• Conducted thorough research and review of case information to assist attorneys.
• Filed pleadings and paperwork with court clerk to meet strict deadlines.
• Proofread drafts of legal documents for accuracy in grammar and punctuation.
• Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
• Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys attending out-of-town conferences or depositions.
• Organized and prepared case exhibits and evidence for trial.
• Coordinated travel arrangements for attorneys attending out-of-town meetings or conferences.
• Called witnesses to give testimonies during court hearings.
• Answered phones promptly while providing courteous customer service.
• Drafted legal complaints, summonses and interrogatories.
• Ensured that all paperwork was properly filed according to established procedures.
• Organized exhibits for trial proceedings.
• Performed extensive research to prepare for court cases and gathered pertinent case information.

• Oversaw hearing calendar for office and managed filing deadlines.
• Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
• Filed pleadings and appeals with court clerks to expedite trial proceedings.
• Scanned documents into electronic format for inclusion in case files.
• Performed docketing functions such as calendaring hearing dates and entering orders into the system.
• Answered questions from clients regarding their bankruptcy case status or procedures they need to follow.
• Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
• Drafted motions and responses for attorney review.
• Maintained physical files of all bankruptcy cases assigned by attorneys.
• Reviewed client information forms for accuracy prior to filing with the court.
• Conducted research on legal topics relevant to bankruptcy cases.
• Assisted attorneys in preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions, schedules and related documents.
• Followed fair debt collection standards in all activities.
• Prepared correspondence to clients regarding case progress, deadlines and court hearings.
• Provided support to attorneys in the review of financial documents, including tax returns, pay stubs and other income sources.
• Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.