DEFINITION

Performs a variety of responsible clerical and technical accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance, processing and accounting of utility payments for the City's utility billing operations; assists customers with billing and account maintenance questions and problems; may assist with other clerical and technical accounting duties in the City's Finance Department; performs other work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Utility Billing Representative follows defined standardize procedures in carrying out a specific set of assigned duties relating to the processing and accounting of utility payments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by the Utility Billing Supervisor. The incumbent may also receive direction from other supervisory staff in the Finance Department when asked to assist them.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Receives and processes utility payments and utility service applications from the public at the counter, by telephone or mail; batches payments, counts cash, calculates totals and prepares deposits; balances payments with payment records and cash drawer with cash receipt records; enrolls new customers and opens accounts; calculates and accepts pro-rated fees and deposits; posts deposits, payments and adjustments to proper accounts; maintains and updates automated utility billing system and uses system to prepare bills, billing registers and reports; interprets error messages on the computer and corrects errors; generates bills and delivers them to printing and mailing service; responds to customer questions and complaints; explains service procedures, policies and regulations; answers questions regarding status of accounts, billings and payments; researches and solves problems and makes necessary adjustments; prints and examines report of unpaid bills; prepares, maintains and records second billings, ten-day notices, final billings and notices of shutoff; when necessary, directs meter reader to shut off water; may contact delinquent customers and negotiate payment plans; follows up to ensure that payment is received; verifies accuracy, identifies, investigates and clears up discrepancies; operates a variety of standard office machines; identifies and suggests methods by which City can collect additional revenue and improve efficiency of utility billing operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Education/Training

Sufficient experience, education and training to prepare, maintain and process utility payments for the City's utility billing operations. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of a high school diploma and two years responsible clerical and technical accounting work experience in a finance, billing, or accounting department. Experience in a public sector agency and completed college coursework related to accounting functions is desirable.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Thorough knowledge of bookkeeping and financial record-keeping methods, including maintaining, adjusting, and making credits and debits to proper accounts; the City's manual and automated billing and financial record-keeping systems; standard financial office procedures, machines, spreadsheet, database and word-processing programs; codes or regulations governing the operation of the City water system, public information and privacy protection. Ability to communicate effectively and to deal diplomatically with irate persons and in difficult situations; plan and organize work; gather and analyze information; make sound decisions and to solve practical operational problems; use the City's automated billing system; perform detailed numerical work with speed and accuracy and to detect record-keeping and data entry errors.

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting in the performance of daily duties and frequent repetitive keyboarding motion for inputting data and preparing bills and reports. The position also requires walking, standing, stooping, some pushing, dragging, light and heavy lifting while handling boxes of forms for printing bills. The incumbent performs multiple tasks, works under pressure of deadlines and with frequent interruptions.

License/Certificate

Possession of a Class C California driver's license by date of appointment.