Utility Billing Specialist The Utility Billing Specialist compiles utility data, prepares invoices and utility bills, updates the utility database, produces regular and special billing, and produces water and wastewater consumption reports. Education, Training, Experience, Certifications, Licenses and Registrations Education / higher education: High School Graduate or equivalent Minimum number of years of directly related experience: Three years in customer accounts, banking, computer billing, and report analysis. Education and/or experience preferences: Associates Degree in Accounting. Driver's License requirement: None Required Endorsements: None Note -- For any driver, driving record must always meet City driving and insurability standards. Required certifications, licenses or registrations: None Preferred certifications, licenses or registrations: None
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge: Utility billing concepts and processes; Utility customer accounts, meter routes and billing cycles; Software, computer hardware including field computers, and computer processes; Some knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and methods of accounting; Office practices and procedures; and, Some knowledge of laws and statutes concerning accounting procedures.
Skills:
Must be able to type rapidly and accurately enough to successfully produce documents/spreadsheets, communicate via e-mail, or perform data entry as necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the position (must test at or above 30 net words per minute). Use of technology, equipment and software typically used in the office environment. Accurately processing electronic transactions, data entry, and operation of standard office equipment, which includes computer, calculator, and/or copier; Working with a wide variety of people with different levels of authority; Organize workload; Effectively operate standard office equipment (calculator, telephone, fax, copier) and a personal computer and client/server computer with complex tables and databases. Abilities: Learn water and wastewater ordinances; Apply accounting principles, practices, and methods; Detect discrepancies in financial and accounting records; Maintain accurate records and prepare reports; Write routine correspondence; Interact in a courteous and professional manner with internal and external customers; Read, comprehend and carry out detailed but routine written or oral instructions; and, Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals and to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Interaction with Groups/Agencies/Entities: Internal: Works with other division managers, customer service supervisor utility service field technicians, utility services specialist, and accounting staff. External: Works with utility customers and vendors.
Essential Functions:
The following functions are typical for this position. The omission of specific functions does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required and assigned. Downloads meter reading information from field staff. Prepares and produces utility bill data based on field information. Compiles reports and transmits information electronically to contracted vendor for printing and mailing. Coordinates scheduled delivery of utility bills and billing inserts with the contract mailing service. Runs and analyzes the daily exception reports from the HTE system, checking for abnormal readings and field comments such as defective meters or illegal water connections. Prepares and closes work orders for corrective actions in order to ensure proper billing. Reviews and corrects information in the HTE database. Posts late and special meter readings and estimated readings. Marks accounts for no bill when irregular conditions cannot be resolved before billing date. Identifies and corrects errors made by Utility Service Technicians. Assigns and downloads meter routes into handheld computers used by the Utility Service Technicians. Coordinates daily tasks with Utility Service Field Supervisor as needed. Works closely with Utilities Service Specialist on AMR meter exchange and rehab program, along with the new meter installation inspections. Maintains database tracking progress of these programs. Inputs new meter information into HTE for meter change outs, mails letters to customers for severe bill corrections such as reversed, stopped, or incorrect meters. Reviews AMR exception reports for issues, creates leak letters, calls customers on flagged accounts for possible leaks. Prepares and processes interdepartmental and bank draft payments. Works in conjunction with banks and Finance Department to cancel or reverse bank drafts, and reverse payment on HTE if needed. Processes delinquent utility accounts for second billing notices; may serve as a back-up to process work orders to discontinue service for past due accounts. Analyzes customer accounts to determine the Winter Quarter Average factor to calculate wastewater charges for upcoming year. Recommends changes and corrections. Produces financial reports, reviews, ensures interdepartmental and ACH batches balance and distributes reports to the Utilities Enterprise Fund accounting staff. May assist Customer Service Supervisor with training of Utilities Service Specialists and may assist with workload priorities as needed.
