Deposit Operations Specialist III - Team Lead

Founded in 1948, Itasca Bank & Trust Co. is a locally owned, independent community bank with locations in Itasca and Roselle, Illinois. We value our staff and believe our greatest strength is our people, both our customers and employees. For more than 77 years, the Bank has been a responsible community leader by honoring the values of our past while making decisions that shape our future. Our ability to serve customers and remain a trusted corporate citizen depends on a dedicated and responsible team. Itasca Bank has been recognized as a Best of the Best/Top Pick by Daily Herald readers for multiple years since 2016, reflecting our commitment to quality service, high standards, and responsiveness to both customers and employees. We are a responsible employer dedicated to employee health and safety, maintaining diversity in our workforce and vendor relationships, and fostering a positive workplace culture. We encourage participation in community and civic activities and support a healthy work/life balance that helps create stronger communities and a better environment for our employees.

The Deposit Operations Specialist III – Team Lead provides daily leadership and technical support for the Bank’s deposit operations and payment services. This position coordinates work assignments and coverage, monitors deadlines and work quality, and serves as the primary resource for escalated operational issues.

Working closely with the Deposit Operations Manager, the Team Lead coordinates training, evaluates staff readiness, oversees required reviews, and supports reporting, process improvements, system changes, audits, and business continuity. This is a working lead position that also performs daily processing and provides departmental coverage as needed.

Essential Functions

Perform the essential functions of the Deposit Operations Specialist I and II positions as needed, providing processing support and coverage across departmental functions.

Coordinate daily assignments and coverage based on deadlines, workload, staff proficiency, and segregation-of-duties requirements. Adjust priorities within delegated authority and communicate staffing concerns to the Deposit Operations Manager.

Monitor completion of critical daily, periodic, and end-of-day activities. Coordinate responses to delays, unresolved items, and service disruptions, and escalate concerns that could affect customers or required deadlines.

Monitor work quality, recurring errors, outstanding reconciliations, and exception trends. Coordinate corrections and provide the Deposit Operations Manager with updates on unresolved issues, risks, and recommended improvements.

Serve as a resource for the Deposit Operations Specialists on complex or escalated operational issues. Provide training and coaching on these issues and coordinate resolution with the Deposit Operations Manager and consult impacted departments for additional information.

Coordinate with the Deposit Operations Manager on the department’s response to suspected fraud, unusual transactions, and significant account discrepancies. Including assist with documentation and implementing protective actions.

Perform assigned secondary reviews of transactions, reconciliations, account maintenance, and exception processing. Follow established procedures and segregation-of-duties requirements, identify discrepancies, and verify corrections are completed.

Provide daily coaching and feedback, communicate performance concerns to the Deposit Operations Manager, and provide input for performance evaluations and advancement.

Coordinate updates to departmental procedures, training materials, and Intranet content. Incorporate approved operational, system, and regulatory changes at the direction of the Deposit Operations Manager and communicate updates to staff.

Work with the Deposit Operations Manager to plan and coordinate assigned process improvements and test system updates or new functionality. Review results, track issues, and report readiness and unresolved concerns before implementation.

Serve as an assigned operational contact for vendors and service providers. Coordinate issue reporting, monitor progress, and escalate recurring or unresolved service concerns to management.

Prepare and review assigned departmental reports and work with management to develop new reports based on operational needs. Identify trends and highlight issues requiring follow-up or management attention.

Assist the Deposit Operations Manager with audit, examination, and internal review preparation by coordinating assigned documentation and responses, reviewing materials for completeness, and tracking corrective actions through completion.

Support the Deposit Operations Manager with business continuity planning and testing. Coordinate backup coverage and assigned operational activities during service disruptions.

Supervisory Responsibility 

Indirectly supervises Deposit Operations Center team. Provides coaching and training.

Work Environment 

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.

Physical Demands

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time non-exempt position. Department hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. Individual work schedules are set based on business needs.

Travel 

None required.

Required Education and Experience

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in bank deposit operations, including deposit account servicing and payment processing

High school diploma or GED equivalency

Advanced knowledge of deposit operations, ACH processing and Nacha Operating Rules, wire transfers, check processing, returns, adjustments, reconciliations, digital banking, and dispute processing

Strong working knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting deposit and payment operations, including Regulation E, Regulation CC, OFAC requirements, and applicable Uniform Commercial Code provisions

Sound judgment and the ability to assess operational and fraud risks, make decisions within delegated authority, and escalate significant concerns promptly

Ability to identify control weaknesses, analyze recurring problems, and recommend practical corrective actions

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook

Professional designation such as Accredited ACH Professional (AAP), Accredited Payments Risk Professional (APRP), National Check Professional (NCP), or a related certification, or willingness to obtain one within a reasonable time after hire

Preferred Education and Experience

Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field

Prior experience as a team lead, senior specialist, or in a comparable operational leadership role

Experience supporting audits, examinations, system changes, and process improvements. Experience coordinating vendor issue resolution, system testing, or business continuity activities

AAP/EEO Statement 

Itasca Bank & Trust Co. is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. 

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.