What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utility Account Technician position at City of Gastonia?
Performs intermediate skilled administrative support work involving the maintenance of utility billing records service locations and meter reading through the entry and verification of service request data; manages a variety of service orders working closely with billing, customer service and meter staff to ensure timely resolution and accurate off-cycle billing; works with hand-held meter reading devices and Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems, does related work as required. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Meter Service Supervisor.
Essential Functions/Duties:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Intermediate knowledge of the City's utility billing and meter reading software, policies and procedures, meter services terminology and methods, standard office procedures, practices and equipment; ability to maintain complex billing and utility account records; ability to operate efficiently a variety of office machines; ability to maintain effective working relationships and communications with customers, co-workers, City officials and the general public. Ability to understand and follow simple oral and written directions.
Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information: Education/Experience:
Graduation from high school or equivalent and minimal experience working in an accounting or business environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior utility or meter reading experience preferred.
Physical Demands:
1. The physical activity of this position includes:
4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
Special Requirements/Additional Information:
Must possess a valid appropriate driver's license with acceptable driving history.
Drug screening, criminal background, and a POET (post offer employment testing) are required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H
Essential Functions/Duties:
- Responsible for entering data in utility billing system for utility customer history files, service locations and work orders. (20%)
- Works closely with employees in Customer Service, Billing and Meter Services staff to gather, maintain and verify information related to utility billing, meter reading and accounts receivable. (20%)
- Answers phone and radio to dispatch orders to technicians and respond to inquiries from Customer Service and Billing employees. (20%)
- Manages service orders for cut-ons, cut-offs, non-pay disconnects and reconnects. (15%)
- Runs processes for extracting meter data to handheld and laptop meter reading devices for AMR system and uploading data into billing system once routes are completed. (15%)
- Processes off-cycle billing and Final bills for customers disconnected for non-payment. (5%)
- Operates a variety of office equipment including personal computer, calculator, printer and other devices necessary to maintain accurate billing records. (5%)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Intermediate knowledge of the City's utility billing and meter reading software, policies and procedures, meter services terminology and methods, standard office procedures, practices and equipment; ability to maintain complex billing and utility account records; ability to operate efficiently a variety of office machines; ability to maintain effective working relationships and communications with customers, co-workers, City officials and the general public. Ability to understand and follow simple oral and written directions.
Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information: Education/Experience:
Graduation from high school or equivalent and minimal experience working in an accounting or business environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior utility or meter reading experience preferred.
Physical Demands:
1. The physical activity of this position includes:
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
- Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
- Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
- Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Office Environment Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Office environment work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are categorized as office environment if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other Office Environment Work criteria are met.
- The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: preparing and analyzing data and figures; computer terminal;
4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
- None: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in a typical office or administrative work environment).
Special Requirements/Additional Information:
- Interactive office environment with exposure to computer screens; must be able to interact with other divisions and departments inside the City organization; as well as with customers. Must have the ability to push, pull, or lift up to 25 lbs. occasionally.
Must possess a valid appropriate driver's license with acceptable driving history.
Drug screening, criminal background, and a POET (post offer employment testing) are required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H
