Job Title Responsible for communications and varied clerical work in support of the electric, water and sewer utilities services of the City.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Works independently in a 24/7 dispatch center to receive calls from customers on utility services (electric, water, sewer), disasters, outages, cut-off for non-payment, or general information; obtains information regarding the utility problem and dispatches City staff or other agencies to solve the problem. Serves as primary contact for NC811 utility locate service for the City. Assigns locates to electric, water and sewer personnel. Operates a variety of equipment to maintain contact with customers and service personnel and to dispatch service personnel; provides information about the situation as other customers call or upon request and calls in additional service personnel. Monitors computer screens for electric, water and sewer systems and reacts to alarms from these monitoring systems; contacts appropriate personnel. Answers radios; maintains communications logs and reports including the nature of calls, actions taken, and the times involved. Tracks customer service requests and complaints and assures they are handled or performed. Monitors a variety of information such as weather conditions that may affect utility operations; prepares and updates maps and diagrams. Monitors cut on and cut off accounts; make appointment / service orders for installation or removal of load management switches at residences. Processes records or work orders generated by customers and system personnel; routes, files, or logs depending on the processes and work involved; closes out records when work is complete. Maintains on call and standby lists for easy determination of personnel to contact. Maintains database for medically critical customers. Maintains contact with fire or police personnel during emergencies or cooperative work assignments. Initiates the Emergency Response Plan for hazardous and chemical spill/release at the regional water treatment plant and the wastewater treatment plant when required. Receives calls about DOT problems such as traffic signals and dead animals; contacts DOT staff. Performs other related duties as required. Required Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and one or more years in communications, dispatching or related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Considerable knowledge methods of operating the communication system; general knowledge of radio procedures. Working knowledge of the utilities functions, policies, practices, and procedures of the City Working knowledge of geography of the City and location of important buildings Ability to operate personal computer and terminal. Ability to type at a reasonable rate of speed. Ability to assess people and situations, to apply sound judgment, to remain calm under stressful conditions and to elicit sufficient and essential information for dispatching and assisting field personnel. Ability to deal with customers and service personnel courteously, tactfully, and firmly. Ability to speak distinctly Ability to deal courteously with the public under stressful conditions; Ability to maintain accurate and complete work activity records and files
Physical Requirements:
Work is generally sedentary requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. Physical activities include standing, fingering, grasping and feeling. Employee must have visual acuity to be able to prepare and analyze data and figures for accounting, perform extensive reading, operate a computer and other office equipment, determine accuracy and thoroughness of work, observe general surroundings and activities. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office with a controlled environment without exposure to harmful conditions. Work may require extended hours and on call and stand by.
Benefits:
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance: The City of Washington provides, at no cost, employee only coverage for Medical (High-Deductible with H.S.A), Vision and Dental insurance. Coverage is available for all regular status full-time employees scheduled to work 40 hours. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. Benefits begin on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of employment.
Paid Life Insurance:
The City provides $15,000 of term life insurance and $15,000 of accident death insurance to all full-time employees at no cost. Employees may elect additional coverage, including dependent coverage, at their own cost. Employer Paid Leave: Paid Vacation: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of vacation leave per month. Leave accruals increase based on the number of years of City service. (Ex: at 5 years increases to 10 hours per month) Paid Holidays: The City of Washington observes 13 paid holidays per calendar year. The approved holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, 2 days at Thanksgiving and 3 days at Christmas. Sick: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month (Fire Personnel earn 14.15 hours). Sick leave hours accumulate without limits and may be used toward credible service upon retirement from the NC Local Government Retirement System.
Retirement:
The City assists our employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular status employees, scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week, become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member of this system, employees are required to contribute 6 percent of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis. Deferred Compensation Plans: To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These programs offer employees an opportunity to save a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefit. The programs offered are 401(k) Supplemental Retirement Income Plan and the 457 Plan through Prudential. Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits: Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction: Supplemental Term Life Insurance Cancer Insurance Accident Insurance Critical Illness Insurance Whole Life Insurance Disability Insurance Healthcare and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (Pre-tax basis) Death Benefit: After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided that is equal to the highest 12 months' salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for these benefits. Pay Periods/Direct Deposit: City employees are paid bi-weekly, every other Friday through direct deposit. Full benefit details may be viewed here: https://mymarkiii.com/cityofwashingtonnc/booklet
