Customer Service Representative

City of Hialeah Municipal Government; United States; On-site; USD 31,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Hialeah is seeking a Customer Service Clerk for the water and sewer billing division. You will handle customer inquiries, process payments, and adjust or investigate billing discrepancies in English and Spanish. Strong attention to detail and courteous communication are essential.

Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, and at least one year of customer service experience. Bilingual ability in English and Spanish is preferred to assist our diverse community.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must be bilingual in English and Spanish and have at least one year of customer service experience.
• Sales experience does not constitute customer service experience for this position.

Responsibilities

• Receives customer inquiries in person or by telephone regarding bills, service, or deposits.
• Processes calls with tact and politeness.
• Resolves disputes of water bills and explains billing procedures.
• Estimates charges when meters are defective or stopped.
• Collects delinquent water bills and explains service procedures for starting/terminating service.
• Performs clerical tasks and maintains customer records and reports.
• Accesses information by computer and preserves accurate records.

Skills

Customer service

Bilingual

Computer skills

Record keeping

English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Billing software

Office equipment

Job description

Salary Range:

$30,743.44 - $59,344.48

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK

This position involves extensive contact with the general public in receiving, investigating, and adjusting complaints of customers of the City water and sewers utility. Duties in this class involves responsibility for investigating and adjusting customer telephone complaints concerning water service and billing. Incumbents take applications for new service. This customer contact is of significance in utility public relations. Although work is performed in accordance with established policies, it is not supervised in detail and a considerable amount of independent judgment is frequently involved. General supervision is received from Customer Service Supervisor and usually consists of consultation and a review of reports.

ESSENTIAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Receives customer inquiries in the office or by telephone regarding high bills, low pressure, leaks in mains or lines, final bills, connecting or disconnecting of service, or refund of deposits;
• Processes call with tact and politeness.
• Resolves controversies of water bills.
• Estimates charges where defective or stopped meters are discovered.
• Collects delinquent water bills; explains department billing procedure and requirements for starting or terminating service.
• Performs a wide variety of clerical tasks in the office in maintaining records of customer contacts, checking bills for lack of payment, or maintaining service records.
• Accesses information by computer.
• Does performs related work as required.

There may be other essential functions, not listed below, in order to accomplish the tasks as presented by the Supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to learn departmental procedures regarding utility rates, credit procedures and billing practices, rules, regulations and policies.
• Ability to learn to read water meters, record readings, and perform simple arithmetical calculations accurately and quickly.
• Ability to apply general departmental rules and procedures to specific customer problems regarding billing or service.
• Ability to handle customer complaints tactfully, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public.
• Ability to keep records and prepare a variety of reports, either by hand or by computer.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish effectively.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have ability to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, stand, hear, hands to finger dexterity, handle, feel or operate objects, read and write English.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office equipment; such as but not limited to a personal computer, calculator, copier and fax machines.
• Work is performed indoors within a quiet to moderately noisy environment.
• Must be able to lift, carry and or push articles weighing up to 20 lbs.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate.
• Must be bi-lingual in English and Spanish and have at least one (1) year experience working in a customer service environment.
• Sales experience does not constitute customer service experience for the purpose of qualifying for this position.
• English & Spanish Speaking preferred.
• Any combination of education & experience may be considered.

Range 46 Revised: 05/2022 Personnel Board Approved: 09/12/2022

The City of Hialeah Human Resources Department is committed to providing employees an exceptional work environment where through hard work, dedication, and equal opportunity for learning and personal development, employees are able to grow, flourish, and make a difference in our community. The Human Resources Department ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, collective bargaining agreements, and City policies, rules and regulations. The City of Hialeah is an equal opportunity employer. There will not be any discrimination or harassment of any kind on account of age, color, race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, military service or any of the protected categories. The City of Hialeah is a drug and alcohol free employer.