Customer Services Specialist 1

Pinellas County Government; United States; Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work up to 2 days/week

Public sector benefits

Job summary

Pinellas County Government’s Utilities contact center is seeking a detail‑oriented representative to handle customer inquiries, apply payments, and perform account research. You will translate complex billing information into clear guidance and maintain accurate account records in a collaborative, service‑oriented environment.

The role supports a hybrid schedule (onsite in Clearwater, FL with up to 2 remote days) and opportunities to assist in investigations and special projects.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in administrative matters and customer accounts.
• Associate degree or vocational training with 1 year customer service experience.
• Bachelor's degree with related training or experience.

Responsibilities

• Research, verify, update and ensure accuracy of information in the customer information system.
• Answer customer calls following standards; assist with payments, deferrals, and other account activities.
• Interpret billing information in the customer service system.
• Verify property ownership to ensure proper billing.
• Explain rate schedules clearly for Utilities and other municipalities.
• Maintain contact details for customer accounts; update as needed.
• Assist in investigations and audits to resolve misapplied funds or dormant accounts.
• Process payments via phone and other automated office tasks.
• Prepare reports and handle special projects as required.

Skills

Customer service

Clear communication

Phone support

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Contact Center Representative – Utilities

Location: 14 S Ft Harrison Ave, Clearwater FL 33756

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Up to 2 days/week remote work available.

Join a team where your great attitude and top-notch customer service skills truly matter! We’re searching for someone who enjoys helping people, learns quickly, and communicates clearly (even when the topic gets technical.) If you’re comfortable on the phone and able to turn complex details into friendly guidance, you’ll be a perfect fit. Come help us deliver service with confidence, clarity, and a smile!

The Utilities Contact Center Representative is accountable for the response and resolution to inquiries (from any source) regarding payments, account research, escalated issues, and the application of approved policies and procedures. The contact center handles contacts (ranging from simple to complex) regarding utilities services (water, sewer, reclaimed water, taxes and various other services) provided by Pinellas County and 11 other municipalities and 2 private companies.

This is a highly responsible position within the organization, maintaining all internal/external customer relations and issues. The employee is expected to exercise a high degree of independent judgment based on experience and knowledge of department operations. A significant portion of revenue is generated through this department by establishing and maintaining customer accounts and by being a goodwill ambassador to the organization of Pinellas County Utilities.

What Will You Do

• Researh, verify, update and assure the acuracy of information in the customer information system.
• Answer customer phone calls following set standards and expecrtations while assisting customers with various account ativities such as payment application, financial assistance agencies, fixed due dates, deferrals, payment installments, refunds, high bills, etc.
• Interpret billing information provided on customer accounts in the customer serivce system.
• Resarch and verify property ownership to ensure billing of base charges.
• Explain the Utilities Department and other municipalities' rate schedules in a clear and understandable manner.
• Maintain and update names, phone nmbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses for customer accounts.
• May assist in conducting investigations and audits to resolve problems from misapplied funds or domant accounts.
• Perform a variety of tasks related to an automated office environment.
• Process credit card ande-check payments via phone.
• Prepare reports and perom special projects as requirdd.
• Perform related work as assigned or required.

What Do You Need

Experience: Working with administrative matters, customer accounts, and utilitiy service problems with practical skills in the use of personal computer applications.

• 3 years of experience as desribed above; or
• An Associate degree, trade school, or vocationsl training degree, diploma, or certificate that includings training ad experience as described above plus 1 year of experience dealing with customer service inquiries; or
• A Bachelor's of higher-level degree that includes some training or experience as described above.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.

Highly Desirable

• Previous call center experience.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish, French, and/or Vietnamese.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of government accounting and records keeping procedures pertinent to the area of assignment.
• Knowledge of local, federal, and state regulations, utilities rules, and ordinances and procedures as they related to customer accounts.
• Knowldge of customer service terminology, grammar, spelling, math, and bookkeeping methods,
• Skilled in the application of quality customer services.
• Skilled in the operations of automated office equipment.
• Ability to use and be proficient in computer applications and software.
• Ability to make and apply decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, ordinances, and procedures.
• Ability to analyze accounts, perform computations, determine amounts due and responsible parties and prepare realaed corresponsdence and documents.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing and to communicate effectively with internal and external departments, customers and agencies on often controversial issues.
• Ability to type with reasonable speed and accuracy.

Why Choose Pinellas County?

• Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
• We have deferred compensation programs and wellness centers to name a few perks.Check out these and more!