Utility Billing Specialist/Senior

County of Lake; Lakeport (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A Local Government Agency in California is seeking a Utility Billing Specialist to manage complex customer service and financial duties related to utility accounts. The ideal candidate should have two years of relevant experience and Spanish-English bilingual skills are preferred. Responsibilities include ensuring accurate utility billing and providing customer support for billing issues.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time experience performing financial, statistical, or document processing duties.
• Spanish-English bilingual skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service for utility billing issues.
• Verify accuracy of billing records.
• Input and maintain computerized account information.

Skills

Customer service

Financial recordkeeping

Bilingual (Spanish-English)

Education

Two years experience in financial duties

Job description

Overview

Under general supervision, learns and performs the most complex financial duties requiring the application of highly responsible record keeping practices related to utility accounts; effectively provides difficult and complex customer service and public contact related to the billing of residential and commercial utility accounts; and performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Utility Billing Specialist – Education and Experience: Two (2) years of full-time experience performing financial, statistical, or document processing and recording duties. Spanish-English bilingual skills are highly desirable.

Utility Billing Specialist, Senior – Education and Experience: Two (2) years of previous work experience equivalent to a Utility Billing Specialist or Accounting Technician with the County of Lake. Spanish-English bilingual skills are highly desirable.

Working Information

This is not exhaustive of all job responsibilities. For more details, please refer to the linked job description.

To view the complete job description, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lakecountyca/classspecs or click the provided link. The information in job postings, descriptions, or recruitment materials does not form a legally binding contract, and benefits may differ among employee groups. Details provided are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Prospective employees must undergo pre-employment medical review before assuming their position.

Applicants may substitute relevant experience and/or education at a 2 to 1 ratio to fulfill minimum qualifications. For further details, contact the Human Resources department.

Responsibilities

• Learns and performs a variety of technical fiscal support and recordkeeping duties associated with utility billing; learns to oversee the utility billing process from account setup to meter reading to charge calculation and bill print.
• Provides specialized assistance to the public and/or other County staff with difficult water and sewer billing issues on the phone and at the front counter, including utility rates and payments, billing records, recording procedures and functions; responds to customer complaints in accordance with established policy.
• Learns and interprets County ordinances and regulations.
• Verifies the accuracy of a variety of records; learns to coordinate utility customer service-related investigations with other departments and agencies.
• Provides backup support and technical assistance to customer service and front office staff.
• Submits requests for field inspections to verify the status of utility services.
• Composes explanatory correspondence to respond to non-routine written or verbal customer inquiries.
• Processes service orders and adjustments to customer utility accounts.
• Ensures utility bills are accurate and timely.
• Inputs new rates as needed; performs testing and training for new functionality and rates prior to implementation.
• Reconciles daily utility accounts receivable.
• Updates and maintains records and information in computerized systems and databases; maintains a variety of statistical or other specialized records, posting and updating the information to keep records current and accurate.
• Provides requisite data to other government agencies, as delegated.
• Operates a wide variety of standard office equipment, including personal computers; utilizes databases, spreadsheets, and other software.
• Performs special assignments related to the department and unit where assigned; may have responsibility for maintaining subsidiary ledgers.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications – Knowledge Of

• Financial and statistical recordkeeping.
• Basic accounting principles.
• Basic regulations, procedures, policies, and rules related to utility billing.
• Good public relations techniques.
• Maintenance of files and information retrieval systems.
• Basic research techniques.
• Customer service principles and techniques.
• Modern office methods and procedures.
• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Mathematics, including percentages and prorating.
• Written and oral communications skills.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction.

Minimum Qualifications – Ability To

• Learn and perform a variety of technical financial, administrative, and customer support functions.
• Learn to analyze data and draw logical conclusions.
• Learn to perform specialized technical work using independent judgment.
• Read, interpret, and apply a variety of rules, regulations, and policies related to utility billing, including bankruptcy and collection laws.
• Accurately maintain and update a variety of records and information systems.
• Gather, organize, and summarize data and information.
• Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public and other staff when explaining regulations, functions, requirements, and policies of the utility billing.
• Type or use word processing software at an acceptable speed to meet production requirements.
• Proficiently use a variety of computerized spreadsheets, word processing, database, and specialized billing software in the performance of assigned work.
• Regularly work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Utilize a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Working Conditions, ADA, and Other Requirements

The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with potential exposure to various conditions. Positions may require local and statewide travel. Disaster Service Workers: All County employees may be designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform emergency services at the direction of the department and/or County.

Background checks, Live Scan, and/or credit checks may be required as allowed by state law. This classification includes the continuation of terms, conditions, and responsibilities as defined by the Memorandum of Understanding.

Senior Title: Definition and Distinguishing Characteristics

Utility Billing Specialist, Senior is the advanced journey-level position with thorough knowledge of water and sewer billing and all related ordinances, policies, and procedures. Senior incumbents perform the full range of utility billing duties with minimal instruction and understand operating procedures and policies of Special Districts.

Disclosures

The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a “meet and confer” process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.