Utility Billing Clerk III

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of full performance bookkeeping duties as needed to expedite utility billings and processing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Finance Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May provide direction, functional, and technical support to less experienced staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Monitors timeliness of payments received; applies penalties for late payments; hears customer complaints and may make penalty adjustments based upon established practice and policy; enters new and shut-off changes on accounts; issues shut-off notices for deposit delinquent accounts; generates shut-off lists and reviews for accuracy and mails shut-off notices; assists customers to resolve service issues, sets up payment plans and promises; reinstates services as approved; manages and enters deposits.

Processes returned checks; applies banking fees to accounts; creates notices and letters and mails to account holders apprising them of their insufficient funds status, consequences and disconnect policies and practices of the city.

Assists customers with service transfers, terminations and "new service" connects; assists with application forms; receives and receipts deposits; transfers deposits for change of address customers; processes adjustments and refunds, schedules readings; generates "final billing" for terminations; processes active duty military discounts, verifies official military orders and makes rate adjustments as allowed.

Responds to issues, questions and problems posed by customers, in person and over the telephone; provides general information based upon policy and practice; apprises customers regarding starting and stopping services and requirements.

Follows established processes as needed to process and document bankruptcies; apprises legal counsel of customers filing bankruptcy; prepares and issues weekly statements, invoices, and discharge status on bankrupt accounts as required.

Operates computer to update and maintain changes in utility accounts; assures that current and terminated accounts are properly billed; assures proper billings for services provided to residents and various companies; assigns new account numbers; verifies account information through utilities departments, i.e., storm drain, wastewater, water personnel; generates reports for utilities departments and city administration.

Performs "auto-pay" maintenance; monitors monthly verifications and processing to ensure timely bank processing; update accounts to reflect auto-pay status.

Operates computer to enter and update account records, updates daily receipts according to balancing results; runs subtotal of receipts to balance with subtotal of accounts receivable; batches and balances payments collected; runs monthly aging report.

Receives, reviews and enters utility meter readings; determines that all accounts have current readings; evaluates readings to determine misreads and consumption irregularities; prepares re-read list; runs program to calculate fees for billing.

Manually enters water reads; generates billing files and notices and prepares for mailing; forwards billing notices to data center for mailing; monitors utility accounts to check for delinquencies, partial payments or prepayments, calculates termination billings, pro-rate charges based upon established procedures and disconnect date and issues notice of final billing; issues shut-off notices according to established policies and procedures; initiates collections activities according to established policies and practices; works with collection agency.

Monitors accuracy of meter readings; initiates change to meter reads as needed to ensure accuracy of billings; creates work orders as needed to perform meter services or replacements; monitors meter installation status.

Performs month-end report generation; prepares month-end water usage reports; completes month-end general ledger entries enabling timely monthly closing entries.

Receives notification of service and account issues; creates work orders related to water problems; distribute to service and maintenance personnel. Enter work orders into billing software and make necessary adjustments to accounts.

Processes solid waste requests; schedules removal and delivery of containers; contacts contract collection company regarding changes in service; adjusts accounts for removal of trash rates. Analyze monthly and yearly audit reports.

Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education and Experience:

1. Graduation from high school with course background in accounting, bookkeeping or some other related field,;

AND

1. Two (3) years of responsible work experience providing training in practical bookkeeping or accounting;

OR

1. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

1. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of bookkeeping and general accounting techniques most appropriate to computerized systems; personal computer operations and applications, i.e., MS Excel, Springbrook, etc. Working knowledge of laws and regulations governing accounting responsibility and utility billing processing; acceptable general office management; inter-personal communication skills.

Skill in operation of personal computer and data entry software.

Ability to work under pressure of meeting deadlines; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; communicate effectively with difficult customers; handle multi-functions; work proficiently and effectively in a timely manner; problem solve; work quickly and accurately with numbers, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; compute rate, ratio and percentages; maintain strict confidentiality related to sensitive information; operate personal computer in utilizing various programs to produce or compose formal documents, reports and records; operate standard office equipment; develop effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees and the public.

1. Special Qualifications:

Must be able to type.

1. Work Environment:

Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require variety of physical activities involving minimal muscular strain related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting and reaching. Talking, hearing and seeing are necessary to the performance of essential functions. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required to perform essential functions. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and guided problem solving.