Utility Billing Specialist

Utility Billing Specialist

Performs intermediate technical and administrative support work receiving, processing, recording and accounting for utility revenues, processing customer service requests and billings, preparing and maintaining computerized records system, preparing and maintaining files and records, does related work as required. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Water System Director.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assists customers with utility bill questions; responds to routine inquiries and/or complaints; makes adjustments where appropriate.
• Receives, receipts and posts payments received at the counter and through the mail; sets up utility accounts; prepares customer accounts for meter readings; prepares file folders and files utility customer information.
• Enters meter readings and other data into computer system; analyzes meter readings for accuracy.
• Prepares and mails utility bills; maintains information for service changes and requests.
• Counts and balances cash drawer; prepares records and deposit information.
• Performs various office assistance tasks as required; types correspondence; assists with processing certified letters or mailings; prepares and maintains files; prepares and disseminates various reports.
• Receives and processes incoming and outgoing mail. Reviews, sorts and stuffs bills to ensure proper mailing. Orders and maintains inventory of office supplies. Performs other related work as required.

Minimum Training and Experience:

High school diploma or GED and minimal experience in customer service, collections or billing operations involving heavy public contact, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum Qualifications or Standards Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, typewriters, copiers, facsimile machines, calculators, two-way radios, tape recorders, blue-line copiers, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Requires the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Work usually requires sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, correspondence, tickets, checks, invoices, records, forms, manuals, policies, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, billing statements, purchase orders, ledgers, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages, including computer, personnel, mechanical, water and accounting terminology.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; to multiply and divide; to calculate decimals and percentages; to interpret graphs.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of colors.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone and two-way radio.

General knowledge of clerical and accounting terminology, methods, procedures and equipment. General knowledge of standard office procedures, practices and equipment. General knowledge of utility service connection and termination procedures and customer billing, collecting and adjusting methods and procedures. General knowledge of personal computer operation and associated software. Skill in the use of a variety of office and data processing equipment Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions. Ability to follow detailed work procedures. Ability to post accounts and to perform mathematical computations with speed and accuracy. Ability to exercise considerable tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with the general public. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

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