Utilities Receptionist/Cashier/Clerk

City of Portales; Portales (NM); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Portales, New Mexico, is seeking a Utilities Receptionist/Clerk to support the Water Department. This full-time, non-exempt role involves reception duties, processing payments, and providing clerical assistance to ensure accurate utility billing and records.

Responsibilities include handling customer inquiries, posting and reconciling payments, and assisting with meter readings and reports. The position requires strong math, 40 wpm typing, basic MS Office, and a valid NM driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; two years related experience preferred.
• Ability to provide courteous service in sometimes stressful situations.
• Familiarity with general clerical routines: typing and filing.
• Knowledge of financial management systems, taking payments, posting payments, deposits, and reconciliations.
• Ability to sit at a desk most of the day and walk short distances.
• Dexterity, speed, and accuracy in handling tasks.
• Work efficiently despite interruptions and maintain accuracy.
• Good arithmetic skills and ability to follow through on assignments.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with coworkers and other dept. personnel.
• Knowledge of computer operations and basic Microsoft Office (Word/Excel).
• Ability to type at least 40 words per minute.
• Must possess a current New Mexico Driver’s License or be able to obtain one.
• Bi-lingual preferred and helpful.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Take citizen complaints and service requests and route them to the proper department.
• Provide clerical and reception support for the Public Utilities Department.
• Process payments, postings, deposits, and cash handling for multiple city services.
• Assist with AMR records and meter readings.
• Maintain ledgers and respond to inquiries about utility activities and operations.
• Prepare forms and reports for utilities as directed.

Skills

Customer service

Clerical tasks

10-key calculator

Microsoft Office

Typing 40 wpm

Interpersonal skills

Bi-lingual preferred

Driver's license

Financial management knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

10-key adding machine

Job description

THE CITY OF PORTALES, NEW MEXICO

POSITION POSTING #2026-29

POSITION: UTILITIES RECEPTIONIST/CASHIER/CLERK

DEPARTMENT: WATER

STATUS: NON-EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: UTILITY BILLING SUPERVISOR

SHIFT: FULL-TIME, REGULAR

SALARY: $15.72 PER HOUR / $32,697.60 ANNUALLY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Utility Billing Supervisor, performs various tasks related to the collection of Utility bills to ensure accurate accounting records for receipts of the City. This is a responsible, non-supervisory position, which also provides clerical and reception support for the Public Utilities Department.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Although the following are typical of the tasks and responsibilities routinely performed, additional duties and/or responsibilities requiring comparable or lesser skills, knowledge, or dexterity may be assigned. The primary responsibilities shall be regulated by the Department Head and are not listed in any order of primary job function.

1. Takes citizen complaints and service requests and refers to appropriate department.
2. Performs a range of staff and/or operational support activities.
3. Performs postage machine reports, refills, and reconciliation.
4. Assists with the AMR records and meter readings.
5. Resolves routine administrative problems and answers inquiries concerning activities and operations of Public Utilities Department departments; accepts, screens, and routes telephone calls. Provides information to callers as may be appropriate or required.
6. Routine examination of transactions logged in accounting ledgers, reconciliation’s and status of individual water accounts.
7. Billing, posting, handling and receipting monies for water, sewer, garbage and all other departments associated with the City, i.e. Municipal Court, Police Dept. Fire Department, Planning and Zoning, Library, P.A.T and others, making deposits, daily balancing of cash drawer, sending out late reminders, mailing water meter deposit refunds, and filing. Performs all tasks related to Utility billing to ensure accurate accounting records for receipts of City.
8. Designs forms and reports pertaining to utilities as directed.
9. Set up water/sewer taps and line locates.
10. Runs errands as directed.
11. Performs related tasks as assigned by the Utility Billing Supervisor or designee.
12. Must have excellent customer service skills.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

1. High school diploma or GED required. Two years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified is preferred.
2. Must be able to meet the public in a courteous and efficient manner under sometimes stressful situations.
3. Should be familiar with general and clerical office routines, such as typing and filing.
4. Knowledge of financial management systems, taking payments, posting payments, making accurate change, preparing banking deposits, account inquiry, and account reconciliation process.
5. Ability to sit at a desk most of the working day and walk short distances.
6. Needs dexterity, speed, and accuracy in handling job tasks.
7. Ability to work efficiently and accurately in an atmosphere of frequent interruptions.
8. Good, accurate arithmetic skills and the ability to follow through on work assignments.
9. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees, and other department personnel.
10. Knowledge and experience in computer operations.
11. Ability to operate 10 key adding machine.
12. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word and Excel.
13. Ability to type a minimum of 40 words per minute.
14. Must possess a current New Mexico Driver’s License or have ability to obtain.
15. Bi-lingual preferred.
16. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office environment. Noise level could be quite to moderate in work environment. The majority of time is spent in a seated position. Work entails keyboarding and manual dexterity, and also entails regular reaching, stretching, and lifting of standard supplies and materials.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must sit for extended periods of time, stand or walk as necessary.

Must stretch, reach, or lift objects or materials that may be up to 25 pounds in weight.

Must perform multiple tasks requiring manual dexterity at the same time.

Must write legibly.

Must hear, understand and respond to verbal information in person, by phone and by radio, including difficult to understand callers.

Must speak clearly and concisely.

Must see, read and understand written information and instructions.

Must think and apply judgment, discretion, and initiative in accomplishing work.

Must engage in interpersonal interactions and complaints that could be stressful or sensitive in nature.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The regular work week is 40 hours per week, Monday thru Friday, with one hour off for lunch. Additional time may be required after regular hours. Schedule to be established by supervisor.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Limited travel – ability to travel for meetings and training may be required.

2. Overnight travel may be required.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must pass a background investigation including work history, criminal records, driving records and other records deemed necessary.

CONDITIONS OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT:

1. Candidates must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and insurability in accordance with the City’s insurance carrier.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT REQUIRED APPLICATION:

Position is to remain open until filled. Review of applicants is weekly starting Friday, September 18, 2026.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.

I have received the job description posting and I am capable of performing the essential functions for the position.

Applicant Signature Date