Utility Billing Clerk I

Pecostx; Pecos (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Town of Pecos City seeks a part-time clerical specialist to perform a variety of general duties, billing tasks, and customer service. Entry to journey level with supervision, advancing with experience, under supervision of the Utility Billing Supervisor.

Responsibilities include handling customer accounts, billing processes, and communication with the public, requiring strong verbal and written skills and basic accounting familiarity. Drug screening and background check apply.

Qualifications

• Education: HS diploma or GED with 3 years' cashiering and customer service experience.
• Experience with utility billing software preferred.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet the public in person or via telephone and assist with questions.
• Set up new customer accounts or modify existing accounts for the Utility Department.
• Process utility billing, prepare bills for mailing, and handle payments and receipts.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to inquiries and complaints as needed.

Education

HS diploma or GED with 3 years' cashiering and customer service experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Billing software

10-key calculator

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE

This is a Part-Time position which performs a variety of general clerical duties, billing functions, and customer service functions.

This is an entry/journey level position. Incumbents initially perform the more routine duties assigned to the position under close supervision. However, as experience is gained, incumbents are expected to perform the full range of duties as assigned with increasing independence.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports to the Utility Billing Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises autonomy and sound judgement over tasks as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include greeting the public in person or via telephone, responding to questions, and working with the Utility Department in setting up new customer accounts or making changes to existing accounts. The successful candidate must have strong verbal, written, interpersonal and organizational skills. Experience with utility billing software is preferred as well as experience with Microsoft Office products, general accounting practices, accounts payable/receivable, cash handling, and other duties as assigned. Salary will be based upon experience and skill level.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Effectively represent the City to customers, vendors, and community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

1. HS diploma or GED with 3 years' cashiering and customer service experience. Appropriate certification may be awarded upon satisfactory completion of advanced study or training.
2. Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

• Type and proofread a variety of documents including general correspondence, reports, and memorandums from rough draft or verbal instruction.
• Perform a wide variety of routine clerical work, including filing and documenting information on records.
• Answer telephone and wait on the general public, providing general information on departmental and City policies and procedures as required, refer calls to appropriate department personnel.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints on the phone or in person.
• Explain City policies and procedures in a tactful and effective manner.
• Effectively perform a variety of accounting functions.
• Accurately count, record, and balance cash transactions and other monies received.
• Input and retrieve data accurately from City accounting and billing software quickly and efficiently.
• Process billing for utility accounts; prepare bills for mailing; mail statement bills, prepare bank drafts for utility accounts.
• Print usage report and create work orders based on abnormally high or low usage.
• Prepare and mail late payment notices and statements; apply deposits to accounts.
• Collect, process, and issue receipts for utility payments from customers in person, through the mail and drop box, and on-line.
• Provide assistance to customers regarding billing inquiries, complaints, requests for information, and related matters. Research accounts if discrepancy exists. Prepare water, sewer, and refuse adjustments, as needed.
• Prepare work orders for connections, disconnections, transfers, and water and sewer taps. Sort and file completed and uncompleted work orders.
• Prepare notifications of returned checks and mail to customers; prepare adjustments for customer returned checks; and prepare work order to disconnect accounts for returned checks.
• Prepare payment arrangements with customers needing an extension on water bill payment; arrange for disconnection of service if promise to pay agreement is broken.

Print list of delinquent accounts to have service disconnected; ensure that list is up to date before submitting for disconnection.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a valid Texas driver's license, and currently have and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to communicate (read, write, and speak) effectively in the English language with patrons of varying ages; Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, including word processor, spreadsheets, project management software, 10-key calculator, phone, copy machine, fax machine, etc.

Please be advised that the Town of Pecos City is a drug-free workplace. All candidates with job offer are required to complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check.