Utility Billing Account Specialist

Position Summary

The principal function of an employee in this class is to perform a variety of technical accounting duties, database administration, and provide customer service in support of the assigned City Departments. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Customer Service & Billing Clerk Supervisor, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with the assigned supervisor, other City employees, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment. Wage: $25.96 - $28.36 / hour depending on experience Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: Montana Federation of Public Employees Work Week: Typically Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Assists utility customers with routine and complex account, billing, and payment needs in person, by telephone, and online;
• Accepts customer payments by check, cash, or credit card, sets up bank drafts and recurring credit card payments as requested by customers;
• Researches, analyzes, and resolves customer questions or issues;
• Provides customers with clarifying information regarding City policies and programs established by the City Commission;
• Manages and troubleshoots multiple database systems for utility functions, including preparing, adjusting, maintaining, and troubleshooting customer accounts in accordance with prescribed guidelines;
• Manage meter readings and billings in complex databases, including both download and upload processes, understanding the process, required settings, and information received;
• Maintains inventory systems for assigned city assets including water meters, garbage totes, recycling bins, and compost bins;
• Generates service orders for Water and Solid Waste division and closes when resolved;
• Evaluate eligibility and processes adjustments to customer accounts due to leaks, misapplied payments, and meter or billing errors, and maintain supporting documentation;
• Processes nightly utility updates;
• Processes delinquent accounts, including notices, hang-tag lists, and establishing payment arrangements;
• Generates and reviews exception reports to ensure accuracy and reasonableness, researches and solves issues that arise, including contacting customers with water consumption issues;
• Processes returned mail and researches to find correct mailing addresses;
• Processes customer deposit refunds and credit balance refunds or transfers;
• Reconcile customer accounts and payments;
• Audits and records various department and customer deposits, reviewing for accuracy and correcting entries as necessary, reconciling and balancing cash register daily;
• Generates financial reports and other related documents at specified time intervals as directed;
• Ensures processes are compliant with internal fiscal policies and City Ordinance and Resolutions;
• Serves as a liaison between key Department personnel and other City departments and/or the general public, and provides fiscal information, explains procedures, and provides technical information regarding related procedures and methods as requested;
• Performs clerical functions as required, including answering phones, preparing correspondence, and retrieving and purging obsolete files;
• Gathers, assembles, tabulates, proofs, balances, and summarizes information for budget input, and prepares reports in proper accounting format for review as required;
• Provides backup support to other Finance personnel as requested;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field; and
• Some (1-3 years) experience in customer service and accounts receivable, bookkeeping, or database management; some knowledge of government accounting is preferred; or
• Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
• Thorough knowledge of word processing, database management, and spreadsheets;
• Thorough knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, Federal, State, and City statutes and ordinances;
• Thorough knowledge of financial office procedures and practices;
• Substantial knowledge of the functions of a local government;
• Substantial knowledge of accounts receivable processes;
• Ability to interpret accounting reports and records, and to analyze accounting data for control and reporting purposes;
• Ability to utilize specialized accounting software programs;
• Ability to make mathematical computations and tabulations accurately in a timely manner;
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences or proposed actions and implement recommendations accordingly;
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people, including ones who are angry or disagreeable;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to enter at least 100 SPM on the 10 Key is required;
• Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory response to a criminal background check, credit check, and thorough reference checks.

This is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by joining the City of Bozeman! You will be part of a passionate team driving positive change while enjoying a robust benefits package. Full-time City of Bozeman employees receive these best-in-class benefits:

• 15 Paid Vacation Days increases with years of service

• 12 Paid Sick Days

• 13 Paid Holidays

• 8 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

• Bilingual Pay Incentive ($300/month)

• Excellent Retirement Plans

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance including a HDHP option providing 100% employer-paid family coverage.

• Annual Wellness Screening with participation incentives

• Discounted Bridger Bowl Ski Tickets

• Discounted Gym Membership

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Eligible Employer

• Employer Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance for employees and dependents.