Utilities Clerk

City of Maypearl; Texas; On-site; USD 21,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Maypearl is seeking an experienced Utility Billing/Finance Clerk to support billing and accounts payable for municipal utilities. The role works closely with the City Secretary and reports to the City Administrator and will handle data processing, billing, and customer inquiries for utility accounts.

Duties include processing invoices, vendor payments, and delinquent collections, with emphasis on accuracy and timely payments.

Qualifications

• 1 year of municipal billing and accounts payable experience.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Enter data for processing utility bills.
• Process meter reading data and prepare bills.
• Maintain current customer account files.
• Create bank drafts for auto payments.
• Handle day-to-day accounts payable processing and vendor payments.
• Receive and verify invoices and requisitions.
• Reconcile utility billing activity with the general ledger.
• Pursue collection of delinquent accounts and issue final notices.
• Coordinate with the Director of Public Works on shut-off & turn-on orders.
• Provide customer service via phone and in person regarding billing.

Skills

Attention to detail

Stress management

Excel under pressure

Organization & prioritization

Clear communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Office practices coursework (typing, accounting)

Tools

Asyst

Job description

Job Summary

The Utility Billing/Finance Clerk is an hourly position that works closely with the City Secretary & that reports to the City Administrator. The position is responsible for routine and complex clerical, administrative, and data processing work in the billing and collection of utility accounts and the processing and monitoring of payments and expenditures through the accounts payable system. A successful applicant will have the ability to effectively resolve utility billing issues while dealing with a broad customer base, and will process accounts payable in an effective and efficient manner to ensure vendors are paid within established time frames.

Roscoe is a community of approximately 1,300 residents in rural western Texas, only 10 miles from Sweetwater, and approximately 50 miles from Abilene.

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential duties:

• Enter all pertinent data for processing utility bills.
• Process meter reading data.
• Prepare and mail utility bills.
• Maintain current customer account files.
• Create bank drafts for auto payments.
• Perform the day-to-day processing of accounts payable transactions to ensure that municipal finances are maintained in an effective, up to date, and accurate manner.
• Receive and verify invoices and requisitions for goods and services.
• Verify that transactions comply with financial policies and procedures.
• Prepare batches of invoices for data entry.
• Enter invoices for payment.
• Process reports after data entry.
• Manage the weekly check run.
• Prepare vendor checks for mailing.
• Maintain updated vendor files and file numbers.
• Assist in reconciling utility billing activity with the general ledger.
• Maintain rate files and maintain schedules to perform billing procedures in a timely manner.
• Pursue collection of delinquent utility accounts, including preparation and mailing of final notices; monitor payment schedules; prepare write-offs when necessary.
• Coordinate with the Director of Public Works to schedule shut-off and turn-on work orders.
• Process service orders for utility disconnections, re-connections, new service orders, and other public works service requests.
• Enter all meter inventory, meter exchanges, and new installs in the system.
• Provide customer service by receiving telephone calls and citizen visits concerning utility billings or services; handle questions and matters concerning utility accounts; respond to citizen complaints.
• Recommend required changes needed or equitable solutions to billing problems.
• Act as a resource person to provide billing information to various City staff; perform research as needed.
• Perform related tasks and other duties and assignments as required.
  

Qualifications

• Experience
  • Required: 1 year of experience in municipal billing and accounts payable, or the performance of related or similar work in the private sector.
  • Preferred: Experience with Asyst or other municipal utility billing software.

An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered as determined by the City Administrator.

• Education
  • Required: Graduation from a high school or GED.
  • Preferred: Course work in general office practices such as typing, accounting, use of business machines and data processing.
• Other
  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check, with no previous convictions for theft or crimes of moral turpitude.
  • Must have, or be able to obtain within 90 days of hire, a valid Class C Texas Driver License, and maintain it thereafter.
  • Bilingual (with a proficiency level sufficient to be fluent) in English & Spanishstrongly preferred.

An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

• Knowledge
  • Proper public and telephone etiquette concerning complaints.
  • Modern office procedures and account posting procedures.
  • Principles and practices of accounting related to revenue collection and utility billing.
  • Accounts payable, accounts receivable, and maintenance of general ledgers.
• Skills
  • Attention to detail sufficient to ensure accuracy of work.
  • Stress management
  • Excel under pressure and/or with frequent interruptions.
  • Effectively deal with angry or difficult customers via de-escalation techniques.
  • Organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
  • Communication skills to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Abilities
  • Analyze and interpret billing records.
  • Perform arithmetic computations accurately and quickly.
  • Effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions.
  • Efficient operation of personal computer, calculator, central billing system terminal, telephone, typewriter, cash register, fax machine, and copy machine.
  • Must be able to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships and attitudes with co-workers and the public.