UTILITY CLERK 1 - City of Wellington

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Utility Billing Supervisor and/or the City Clerk, the Utility Billing Clerk performs administrative, financial and clerical duties for utility billing activities of the City. This employee is responsible for maintaining customer utility account data, preparing and mailing utility bills, entering utility payment data into the City’s computer system, preparing reports and assisting with citizen inquiries regarding utilities or other City services. The employee is required to possess and maintain a valid Kansas Driver’s License.        

 

Essential Functions

·         Responsible for using specialized utility computer systems for utility billing, including calculating bills, printing and mailing all utility bills and running & distributing post-billing reports;

·         Collect and process payment from customers over the counter, through the mail, and from other collection sites including CBK payments;

·         Balances cash drawer daily for deposit;

·         Receives citizen inquiries concerning utility billing or services;

·         Handles complaints and answers customer questions on utility billing services;

·         Uses judgment and decision making skills in accordance with policies and procedures;

·         Helps identify utility billing errors;

·         Requests consumption re-reads for utilities;

·         Prepare work orders for service connections, disconnects, and meter problems then distributes to field staff;

·         Creates new utility accounts and sets up billing records in computer and for paper files;

·         Enters utility billing account transfers in the City’s computer system;

·         Facilitates and maintains records for payment agreements and good faith agreements;

·         Advises customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment;

·         Prepares and prints final utility notices and shut-off directives;

·         Prepares utility shut-off spreadsheet and work orders then distributes to field staff;

·         Prepares various reports as directed;

 

Marginal Functions

·         Pursues collection of delinquent utility accounts, assists with the preparation and mailing of final bill notices; establishing and monitoring payment schedules;

·         Performs other duties as deemed necessary or assigned;

·         Performs duties of a meter reader when necessary;

·         Attends workshops and training sessions as required;

·         May cross-train in suitable positions in other City departments.

Position Requirements

Experience: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and ability to perform the duties of the position. Experience in customer service and cash handling preferred. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within six months of employment.           

Education/Licenses: High School diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.). Must possess and maintain a valid Kansas Driver’s License and must maintain an insurable driving record under the City’s insurance carrier.           

Technical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to proficiently operate computers and software necessary to complete assignments, which may include accounting software, word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Ability to follow department policies and procedures, concentrate on tasks in the presence of distractions, prepare reports, type with speed and accuracy, count change correctly, and interpret written instructions and other documents. Knowledge of office procedures, computers, accounting, bookkeeping, and mathematics. Skill in customer service and handling upset customers. Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner, organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with other persons and to communicate effectively and clearly using the English language, both orally and in writing.      

Problem Solving: Frequent problem solving is a factor in this position. This employee encounters problems with errors in utility bills, errors in transaction balances, and citizen concerns and complaints.           

Decision-Making: This position requires frequent independent decision-making. The employee makes decisions about correcting errors, prioritizing daily work assignments, resolving citizen concerns and complaints, and performing daily duties in the most efficient manner.       

Supervision: This position is under the direct supervision of the Utility Billing Supervisor. This employee does not exercise any supervisory responsibilities over subordinate personnel.       

Accountability: This employee is responsible for department resources and equipment. The employee has extensive financial accountability and responsibility in the maintaining, recording & processing of utility bills and the collection, recording & balancing of utility payments.           

Personal Relations: Daily contact with the general public, co-workers, and supervisory personnel.   

Working Conditions: Adverse working conditions generally do not exist in this position. This position primarily functions in an office setting. Work hours generally 8:00AM to 5:00PM with some overtime occasionally required. Adverse weather conditions may be encountered when performing, on occasion, meter reader duties.        

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, eye and hand coordination, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

 Salary Range is $16.60 TO $23.74 DOQ., EEO, Drug-free workplace.