UTILITY ACCOUNTS SPECIALIST

• Provides customer service on phone, via email and in person; answers questions from customers and city employees regarding fees etc., and refers customers to appropriate department if necessary; 
• Provides detailed information for customer accounts, customer information and notes on customer accounts;
• Assists customers, both residential and commercial, with obtaining new service, disconnecting and transferring service;
• Accepts and accurately processes payments for utility accounts received in person, over the telephone, through the mail and online utilizing electronic submission software;
• Processes incoming mail through check machine;
• Issues work orders for meter readers;
• Closes out balances register on a daily basis;
• Assists in reviewing meter read data to ensure accuracy and refers any discrepancies to the billing division;
• Assists in referring work orders for accounts showing low or no consumption for possible dead meters, as needed;
• Assists Utility Billing Division in disconnects on a weekly basis;      
• Assists in reviewing customer account information for accuracy and ensures completeness of billing for all city field meters, as needed;
• Processes meter change-out work orders, as needed;
• Enters final readings on closing accounts and generates final bill;
• Assists with setting up and disconnecting fire hydrant accounts;
• Collects and processes community impact fees;
• Collects and processes commercial applications;
• Remains familiar with all sections of the City ordinance, which pertain to the utility billing function and stays current with changes and new policies; and
• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

High School Diploma or its equivalent, plus one (1) year of related experience including accounts receivable experience and customer service experience, preferably in a water utility environment;

or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Ability to speak Spanish, preferred.

Knowledge of:  accounts receivable principles; generally accepted accounting principles; basic computer hardware and software operation; basic cash management procedures; City ordinances pertaining to the utility billing function; and computerized accounting systems.

Skill/Ability to:   operate standard office equipment, including computerized cash register, fax, copier, ten key, postage machine, mail inserter machine and personal computer using standard word processing, spreadsheet, data inquiry and customized utility billing software; deliver excellent customer service; accurately handle money; effectively resolve problems, negotiate solutions within policy guidelines and detect and correct errors on customer accounts; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, contractors, and the general public; enter data information accurately; handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment; and demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; must apply organizational skills, attention to detail and be self-motivated.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.   Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

Salary : $19 - $23