Billing Specialist / Public Utilities

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County is seeking a Billing Technician to support water utility billing operations. You will audit consumption, process bills, issue work orders for meter verifications, and ensure accurate adjustments and reporting.

The role requires attention to detail and effective communication with customers and staff. The position supports monthly billing cycles, penalty assessments, and file transfers to third‑party vendors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with one year of computerized water billing experience or related work.
• Experience auditing consumption and processing monthly statements preferred.
• Ability to review data for accuracy and correct discrepancies.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Billing Review: prepare the Exceptional Listing before each billing cycle.
• Consumption Audit: verify high/low usage and notify customers as needed.
• Work Order Management: create and process meter reading verifications.
• Meter Adjustment Processing: review completed work orders and prepare adjustments.
• Data Correction and Entry: update and rerun listings after corrections.
• Billing File Transfer: send billing files to third-party vendor each cycle.
• Reporting: run No Bill, address cleanse, and other reports; maintain addresses.
• Special Billing Responsibilities: compute surcharges and septic charges monthly.
• Penalty Assessment: apply penalties on past-due accounts and issue reminders.
• Record Keeping: maintain monthly meter reading error logs and daily activity logs.
• Customer Support: assist CS reps with final billings and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Billing systems

Mathematical calculations

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Billing software

Job description

REPORTS TO: AMI Analyst

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

CLASSIFICATION: Personnel System - Requires satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

PAY GRADE: 111

SAFETY SENSITIVE: No

Purpose of Job

The purpose of this job is to perform administrative/clerical functions associated with auditing and authorizing the issuance of bills for all active water business accounts. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing, reviewing, and auditing consumption reports; identifying accounts requiring meter verification and issuing work order requests; correcting and rerunning reports; processing monthly bills and delinquency reminders; assessing penalties on delinquent accounts; maintaining records; and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Job Related Requirements

• WORK SCHEDULE: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am - 5 pm; Wednesday 8 am - 6 pm; with the occasional opportunity for overtime.
• May be required to work on religious holidays.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.
• Must work cooperatively with others.

High school diploma or equivalent with one year of computerized water billing, auditing, or related experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are representative of the essential functions of this position. They are not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

• Pre-Billing Review
  • Prepares the "Exceptional Listing" (high/low consumption report) before each billing cycle to ensure data accuracy.
• Consumption Audit
  • Audits Exceptional Listing for unusually high or low water consumption. Initiates meter reading verification as needed and notifies customers once usage is confirmed.
• Work Order Management
  • Creates and processes work orders for meter reading verifications and meter adjustments.
• Meter Adjustment Processing
  • Reviews completed work orders for replaced meters or registers and prepares adjustment request forms to ensure accurate billing.
• Data Correction and Entry
  • Updates and reruns the Exceptional Listing after work orders are completed; enters corrected consumption data into the billing system.
• Billing File Transfer
  • Transfers billing files electronically to the third-party vendor each billing cycle for statement printing and mailing.
• Reporting
  • Runs the monthly "No Bill" report after each cycle.
  • Generates the postal code and address cleanse report to maintain accurate billing addresses
    • Contact the customer by phone or email to verify information
    • Update information in the CIS system
  • Runs various other reports as needed, including:
    • Zero Consumption Reports to identify inactive or potentially faulty meters.
    • Penalty Exception Reports to review waived or pending late fees.
    • Meter Read Exception Reports to flag estimated or unread meters.
    • Final Bill Audit Reports to verify the accuracy of final account charges.
    • Revenue Comparison Reports to track billing trends across billing cycles.
• Special Billing Responsibilities
  • Calculates monthly industrial surcharges based on data from the Water Reclamation Facility.
  • Bill monthly septic tank charges based on Water Reclamation Facility reports.
  • Processes billing charges for final accounts.
  • Bills industrial cost recovery and fire service accounts monthly.
• Penalty Assessment and Delinquency Notices
  • Assesses penalties on past-due accounts and runs reminder notices for delinquent customers.
• Record Keeping
  • Maintains monthly records of meter reader errors.
  • Keeps a daily log of billing activities and transactions.
• Customer Support
  • Assists Customer Service Representatives with processing final account billings as needed.
  • Responds to customer emails, providing accurate and timely information or directing inquiries to appropriate personnel.
  • Answers phone calls, provides general information, directs calls, and returns messages.
  • Responds to routine requests from staff, officials, and the public.

Additional Duties Performs other related duties as assigned to support departmental operations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Public Utilities Department as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Billing Technician.

Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.

Knowledge of unified government and departmental policies and procedures pertaining to water billing and collection.

Knowledge of bookkeeping, computerized water billing systems, water rates, sewer rates, and ancillary charges.

Knowledge of computer software programs as necessary in the performance of job duties.

Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations, in auditing numerical data for accuracy, and in oral and written communications.

Skill in utilizing various software programs relevant to the position.

Ability to compile, organize, prepare and maintain an assortment of records, reports and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.

Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and other staff members.

Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non‑routine situations.

Ability to utilize and understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.

Ability to plan, organize and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.

Ability to comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department.

Ability to operate various office equipment including a computer, printer, calculator, copier, burster, mailing machine, two‑way radio, and telephone.

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, printer, mailing machine, calculator, copier, burster, two‑way radio, and telephone. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.

DATA CONCEPTION

Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co‑workers, assistants or supervisors.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Requires ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare letters, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to individuals with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE

Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.

VERBAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical or professional languages including terminology related to public utilities, bookkeeping, and radio dispatching.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages; compute discount/interest; perform calculations involving variables, formulas, square roots, and polynomials.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, printer, calculator, copier, burster, mailing machine, two‑way radio, and telephone.

MOTOR COORDINATION

Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using office equipment. Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.

MANUAL DEXTERITY

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as automated office equipment, office/billing supplies, and computer supplies. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION

May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone and two‑way radio.

ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or [e-mail].