Job Description

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of a Loan Specialist I or Loan Specialist II to join our California Lending and Insurance department in Bakersfield. This full-time position reports to the Director, Operations and provides administrative assistance to effectively and efficiently originate, disburse, and service customer loans.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in Bakersfield, California is:

Level I:
Typical starting range: $44,200 - $57,500
Full base salary range: $44,200 - $64,200
Annual performance-based incentive target is 6% of base.

Level II:
Typical starting range: $48,400 - $64,500
Full base salary range: $48,400 - $72,600
Annual performance-based incentive target is 6% of base.

Job Requirements

• Perform administrative duties including typing correspondence and documents, establishing and maintaining electronic files, and greeting customers in person and on the phone.
• Gather, accurately enter, and maintain customer information and customer financial information into applicable systems to assist in loan document generation, account monitoring/servicing, and reporting.
• Perform required due diligence investigations of loan applicants, including public records searches, credit bureau reports, employment, income, assets and liabilities; order title evidence and appraisals, and complete other collateral due diligence as needed.
• Review customer loan documents for accuracy and present to customer for signing and/or facilitate closings as assigned.
• Comply with closing requirements and disburse loans as authorized; coordinate booking and certification of loans, within authorities.
• Respond to customer inquiries and process customer transactions including disbursements, internal account transfers, etc.
• Maintain an accurate database and complete assigned relationship plan actions.
• Monitor follow-up requirements in assigned areas.
• Handle customer information with a high degree of confidentiality.
• Process requests for financial transactions including wires, internal transfers, receipts, and disbursements.
• Ensure appropriate information security protocols are followed in order to prevent unauthorized transactions or releases of information.
• Comply with organization documentation expectations, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Participate in community events, local advisor meetings, customer appreciation days, farm visits and other customer and public relation related activities, as needed.
• Perform all duties and maintain all standards in accordance with company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience in commercial lending, banking or related field
• Training in general office skills
• Ability to produce accurate reports, documents, and correspondence through attention to detail and knowledge of correct spelling, grammar and sentence structure
• Exceptional customer service orientation
• Ability to support above average portfolio of more complex credit relationships
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively on multiple projects in multiple software programs
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to adapt as appropriate for various audiences
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Exceptional customer service orientation in person, in writing, and over the phone
• Demonstrated commitment to personal accountability and responsibility in the workplace
• Proven ability to consistently arrive on time and maintain regular attendance in accordance with company policies

Preferred Requirements

• General knowledge of applicable credit laws and regulations
• General knowledge of agricultural practices
• Knowledge of credit investigation and verification practices
• Knowledge of platting and legal descriptions
• Knowledge of accounting principles and processes

Benefits Offered by AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 12 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest!

• Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at:

#LI-Onsite

Job level and starting annual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, certifications/licensure, internal equity, location, business needs and market demands. The listed compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the posting date. AgWest reserves the right to adjust compensation for all positions and modify or discontinue benefits programs at its sole discretion, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

When you apply for a position with AgWest Farm Credit, we collect personal identifiers (from your resume and other application information you submit), such as your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number(s) and employment and education related information. This helps us evaluate job applicants for hiring opportunities, and, communicate with them.

To comply with federal regulations for equal employment opportunity and affirmative action (EEO/AA), we track our applicants by gender, race/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, and the position for which they applied. You will be presented with a voluntary self-identification form as part of this application; we wanted you to know why we collect this information and what we do with it. Please be aware that this information is kept separate from your application, and not utilized in the selection process.

For more information about the information AgWest Farm Credit collects, please see the AgWest Farm Credit California Privacy Policy .

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