Utility Billing Specialist

Utility Billing Specialist

Under the supervision of the Director of Finance and / or Assistant Finance Director, performs various public relations oriented activities to alleviate conflicts between the City and water and sewer service customers. Handles complaints both over the phone and at the counter, counseling customers and arranging solutions to ease conflicts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• The Utility Billing Specialist assists both commercial and residential customers over-the-counter and by telephone with complaints regarding inaccurate water billings. May check meter readings to assure computation and have meters checked for malfunctions. Assists with other questions, problems, and complaints regarding water and sewer billings and issues revised billings.
• Explains regular billing procedures and interviews customers to determine whether an alternative payment arrangement is necessary.
• Communicates the standards and processes of shut-offs, turn-ons, and procedures related to water / sewer.
• Prepares and processes all work orders for activities such as new service connections, system maintenance, termination of services, and various inspections.
• Enforces the City's water and sewer ordinance.
• Maintains comprehensive records relating to water and sewer activities and prepares a variety of regular and special reports as needed.
• Processes water and sewer service applications, assisting applicants as needed.
• Takes requests for both turn-on and turn-off water service actions. Notifies water service maintenance crews of action, prepares and sends final bill to last resident.
• Performs various water and sewer service / billing and clerical support activities as workloads, temporary absences, or emergencies dictate.
• Facilitates job sharing and training of water updates / billing. Educates staff on water programs such as ERAP, WRAP, and CERA.
• Functions as a water liaison to the Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Will be required to use computers.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Qualification Requirements :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. 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 : Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent with some courses in mathematics and accounting.

Experience : Must have a minimum of two years' experience in billing, processing, importing and exporting utility meter data, water report analysis experience, and public relations experience.

Language Skills : Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills : Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability : Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations : Possession of a valid Michigan vehicle operator's license. Must be appropriately licensed to operate City-owned vehicles consistent with work assignment.

Other Skills and Abilities : Strong computer skills.

Physical Demands : While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment : The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience which could provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job should be considered.