Utility Billing Clerk- Utility Systems Dept

City of Port St. Lucie; Port Saint Lucie (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Port St. Lucie seeks an accounting professional to produce and verify utility billing statements and related payments, ensuring accuracy and timely processing to support City services. This Essential Position supports Emergency Management and requires 24/7 availability during emergencies.

Duties include pre-audits, posting billing records, processing payments, and account reconciliation. Qualifications: high school diploma and two years of billing or accounting; proficiency in Excel

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma is required.
• Two (2) years of billing or accounting experience required.

Responsibilities

• Keeps the mission, vision, and values of the City of Port St. Lucie and Utility Systems Department at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Conduct routine pre-audits of a variety of records by examining, verifying, and reviewing accounts, utility bills, vouchers, and records.
• Process and post utility billing records. Process and assemble data for computer input.
• Process and post payments to Health Plan Participant accounts for Human Resources.
• Process returned checks due to insufficient funds, etc.
• Prepare billing and late notice files on a weekly basis.
• Complete and process field work orders via data entry for completion in Utility’s Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) and customer information system (CIS).
• Open, sort, and process incoming mailed payments.
• Verify and validate all incoming meter readings for processing utility bills. Balance detailed accounts with control.
• Process payments and update necessary records.
• Make necessary corrections to payments posted incorrectly.
• Research accounts and payments for final accounts with zero balances, closed accounts, loan accounts, write-off accounts, etc.
• Address questions from Customer Services on the status of Capital Charge Agreements and account balances.
• Answer phones and field questions from Customer Service, Legal Department, customers, and mortgage/title companies.
• Work with interface files to import or export to different software programs.
• Research payments and deposits for Customer Service.
• Scan meter documents, work orders, invoices, postage reports, or other documents and e-mail PDF copies to Customer Service or scan to file folders.
• Operate a large payment processing machine, large mail opener, and copy machine.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Billing

Data entry

Customer service

Math

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Billing/Accounting experience

Tools

MUNIS

CIS

SEMS

Invoice Cloud

Cathedral

Image Director

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

The City of Port St. Lucie is an equal opportunity employer.

This position requires the applicant to successfully pass a drug screening.

Extensive accounting work responsible for the accurate production and verification of all City utility billing statements and related bill payments. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City and its Utility.

This position is considered an "Essential Position" for the purpose of Emergency Management. Emergency duties will be assigned as needed. This position requires 24 hours a day, 7 days per week availability during City of Port St Lucie emergencies, as determined by City Administrators, Emergency Manager or City Officials.

The following duties are illustrative for this position. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Keeps the mission, vision, and values of the City of Port St. Lucie and Utility Systems Department at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintains high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Conduct routine pre-audits of a variety of records by examining, verifying, and reviewing accounts, utility bills, vouchers, and records.
• Process and post utility billing records. Process and assemble data for computer input.
• Process and post payments to Health Plan Participant accounts for Human Resources.
• Process returned checks due to insufficient funds, etc.
• Prepare billing and late notice files on a weekly basis.
• Complete and process field work orders via data entry for completion in Utility’s Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) and customer information system (CIS).
• Open, sort, and process incoming mailed payments.
• Verify and validate all incoming meter readings for processing utility bills. Balance detailed accounts with control.
• Process payments and update necessary records.
• Make necessary corrections to payments posted incorrectly.
• Research accounts and payments for final accounts with zero balances, closed accounts, loan accounts, write-off accounts, etc.
• Address questions from Customer Services on the status of Capital Charge Agreements and account balances.
• Answer phones and field questions from Customer Service, Legal Department, customers, and mortgage/title companies.
• Work with interface files to import or export to different software programs.
• Research payments and deposits for Customer Service.
• Scan meter documents, work orders, invoices, postage reports, or other documents and e-mail PDF copies to Customer Service or scan to file folders.
• Operate a large payment processing machine, large mail opener, and copy machine.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma is required. Two (2) years of billing or accounting experience required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Possession of a valid driver’s license and maintenance of a clean driving record required, with the ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days from date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite, including but not limited to Word, Microsoft Outlook, and Excel (requires mail merge skills and ability to work with formula-linked worksheets).
• Knowledge of bookkeeping principles and procedures.
• Ability to apply such knowledge to work problems.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the rules and regulations relative to accounting records.
• Ability to operate office machines.
• Ability to make mathematical calculations with reasonable speed and accuracy.
• Ability to type at a prescribed rate 35 Words Per Minute.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to use a ten (10) key calculator proficiently.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to learn Image Director, MUNIS, CIS, SEMS, Invoice Cloud, Cathedral and Adobe Acrobat X Pro (PDF).
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the department and public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.