Customer Service Assistant

Customer Service Assistant

Grow your career with us! The City of La Crosse is seeking to hire a Customer Service Assistant in the Finance Department. The purpose of this position is to collect payments due the city and accurately enter payments using the point of sale accounting system and a high-speed processing system. Incumbents are required to perform accurate cash transaction tasks including routine recordkeeping. Position is forward-facing and utilizes customer service skills on a daily basis. Starting wage for this non-exempt position ranges between $20.45 to $23.42 (75 hours bi-weekly), depending on candidate qualifications.

Minimum Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, four years' responsible cashier or cash handling experience as a primary function required. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Demonstrates effective customer service, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Benefits: The City of La Crosse offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical benefit plans, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, accident insurance, income continuation insurance, voluntary dental and vision plans, paid holidays, vacations, and sick leave. Benefit perks: traditional or high deductible (with HSA) medical plan options available; participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with 7.20% employer contribution; 10 paid holidays, ability to earn up to 12 sick days per year, and vacation time available as of date of hire.

Applications are accepted through November 8, 2026. To be considered, submit an employment application and resume by visiting .

Purpose of Position

The purpose of positions in this classification is to collect payments due the city and accurately enter payments using the point of sale accounting system and a high-speed processing system. Incumbents are required to perform accurate cash transaction tasks including routine recordkeeping. The work is performed under the direction of the Treasurer's Office Supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Provides courteous and prompt customer service to citizens in-person and by phone or via the internet regarding inquiries or transactions.
• Provides courteous and prompt internal customer service to other City departments.
• Collects various payment types due the city from walk-in customers, electronically, dropbox, and by mail.
• Enters payments using the point of sale accounting system.
• Have complete operating knowledge of the basic functionalities of the Treasurer's offices high speed payment processing system.
• Balances cash drawer on a daily basis.
• Prepares bank deposits and daily totals report.
• Picks up mail and dropbox payments.
• Opens, verifies and prepares payments for entry into the point of sale accounting system.
• Maintains correct pet information and transmit this accurately to our vendor.
• Updates database with rabies, tag information, and pet owners information in accounting system.
• Operates coin sorting machine and reconciles cash and token totals.
• Prepares invoices and processes payment.
• Collects Room Tax and calculates late charges according to ordinance.
• Prepares monthly room tax report.
• Sells Municipal Transit Utility Bus Passes and reconciles on a monthly basis.
• Sells City of La Crosse Fire Permits.
• Counts cash and verifies amounts for various City departments.
• Provides assessment values as requested.
• Handles routine office duties on a day-to-day basis and as assigned by the Cashier Supervisor and the Director of Finance and Purchaser.
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information and HIPAA information.
• Maintains regular and predictable on-site attendance.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities

While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this classification and may also be performed by other unit members.

• Enters lottery credits in tax module of accounting system.
• Assists with mail processing and printing functions in the Machine Room.
• Checks out supplies and answers telephone in machine room in absence of normally assigned employees.
• Rolls coins and tokens.
• Mails tax receipts and pet license tags as requested.
• Assists with Finance Department special projects.
• Maintains, cleans and organizes work stations and storage areas.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

High school diploma or equivalent, two years responsible cashier or cash handling experience as a primary function required. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Demonstrates effective customer service skills.

Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data and information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and sort information. Ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information. Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards. Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others. Ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information such as invoices, receipts, tax forms, time sheets, pet rabies vaccination reports, tax bills, newspaper copy, room tax totals, pet license forms, payment journals, deposit slips, directories, state statutes, regulations and correspondence. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with taxpayers, customers, bank personnel, computer programmer, real estate agents, attorneys, title company personnel and mortgage company personnel.

Mathematical Ability Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability Ability to use functional reasoning in performing semi-routine functions involving standardized work with some choice of action. Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which may be subject to frequent change.

Physical Requirements Ability to operate a variety of office and other equipment including computer terminal, typewriter, telephone, fax machine, calculator/adding machine, postage meter, token roller, coin counter, photocopier and common handtools. Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as data entry. Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. Ability to recognize and identify individual characteristics of shapes and associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks. Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration and stand for long periods.

Environmental Adaptability Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as repetitive computer keyboard use, irate individuals and intimidation may cause discomfort and poses a limited risk of injury. The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.