Utility Billing Technician

Starting Wage: $34.08 - $42.64/hour

Benefits 

Position Closes: August 5

Join our Finance team as a Utility Billing Technician and play a vital role in delivering accurate, responsive service to our community. In this position, you'll manage the city's utility billing operations, assist customers with a variety of account needs, and help ensure the efficient administration of essential water, sewer, and stormwater services. We're seeking a detail-oriented, customer-focused professional with accounting, billing, or bookkeeping experience, and utility billing experience. If you're detail-oriented, customer-focused, and enjoy meaningful public service, we'd love to hear from you. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The utility billing technician maintains the city’s monthly utility billing function including, but not limited to, managing the computerized billing system for all utility billing activities, adjusting bills as authorized by the finance director, handling customer inquiries by phone, email, and in person, reviewing accounts for misapplied payments, billing errors, address corrections, and lien related activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description do not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to undertake other projects consistent with the role as requested by a supervisor.

• Maintains utility billing records for city’s sewer, water, and storm drainage utilities.
• Prepares service orders and requests for water department personnel.
• Manages computerized billing system for all utility billing activities and sends monthly utility bill data to a third-party biller.
• Adjusts bills as authorized by the finance director.
• Handles customer inquiries and complaints by phone, email, and in person.
• Reviews accounts for misapplied payments, billing errors, address corrections, and lien-related activities.
• Maintains records and processes billing for the various local improvement districts.
• Administers and maintains records and processes for the water utility’s backflow testing program.
• Provides support to the finance department.
• Transcribes information from application forms, temporary records, permits, and permanent records and files.
• Transcribes and types letters, memoranda, reports, tabulations, and other materials.
• Responsible for accurate calculations, gathers data from requisitions, statistical reports, time reports, and other records.
• Greets visitors and provides routine information and directions, notifies staff of visitor arrival.
• Maintains punctual and reliable attendance.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

• Office practices and procedures, including data entry, word processing, filing, record keeping, and answering telephones.
• Computers, computerized/online accounting systems and spreadsheets.
• Billing, accounting, and bookkeeping principles and practices.
• Preparing and maintaining electronic and paper records and files.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with other employees and the public, individually and in groups, verbally in-person and by phone, and in writing.
• Make routine arithmetic computations and tabulations accurately and with reasonable speed.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, elected officials, and the general public.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions and learn assigned administrative and clerical tasks readily within a reasonable training period.
• Adhere to prescribed routines and methods of carrying out assignments.
• Take initiative, work in a self-directed manner, exercise sound judgment, and retain balanced confidentiality and transparency.
• Assess risks, know when to solve problems, and make consistent and informed decisions or bring issues to the supervisor for approval.
• Effectively organize work priorities to meet firm deadlines.
• Adhere to personal protective equipment requirements.

Skilled in:

• Customer service, both over the phone and in person, and effectively de-escalating angry or upset customers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office or conference room setting with a moderate/minimal noise level. Work may be performed outdoors involving occasional inclement weather and normal transportation and construction activity. This may include high noise levels, moving vehicles and heavy machinery, dust and mud, and traversing exposed and sometimes insecure walkways and platforms.

Schedule: Typical hours of work are Monday-Friday from 7am-3:30pm with a 30-minute meal break. This position is considered essential and will require an on-site presence. Alternative work arrangements may be available as decided by the finance director following the probationary period.

Driving and Travel: Driving would typically be less than 5 hours a workweek. Work requires traveling to a variety of locations to perform site work or to attend meetings. Travel is required to visit other work sites in the area and to attend meetings, trainings, and/or conferences as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education, training, and experience that indicates the individual can successfully perform the job may be considered.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of experience with accounting, billing, bookkeeping, or closely related experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Prior experience with utility billing preferred.
• Prior experience using Springbrook or other utility billing software in a public agency preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited business training program with an emphasis in accounting preferred.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

The following certifications and licenses are required for the position (or must be obtained within the timeframe stated) and must be maintained for the duration of employment.

• A valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and two years of driving experience.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The physical attributes described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time. Performs close computer work with repetitive motion for long periods of time; talk, listen, and hear. Required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Occasionally they may be required to kneel, reach, bend, crouch, twist, squat, and lift up to 10 pounds and up to 30 pounds infrequently.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• A history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the city’s motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements.
• Ability to pass position relevant pre-employment screening.

The requirements outlined in this job description may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.