Utility Specialist II

POSITION TITLE:         Utility Specialist II

DEPARTMENT:            Finance

FLSA STATUS:               Non-Exempt

SALARY GRADE:          E - $27.87 - $36.30

REPRESENTATION:    None

Applications are reviewed as received. 

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Utility Specialist II is responsible for the clerical and accounting functions of the City’s municipal utilities.  Duties include but are not limited to responsibilities for the billing and maintenance of the utility accounts, cash receipting and assisting with the public service counter.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Respond to customer inquiries for all utility billing policies, procedures, and questions.
• Prepare monthly utility bills, including entering meter reads, reviewing information for reasonableness, and resolving any discrepancies.
• Perform collection activities on delinquent accounts; sets up payment plans with customers.
• Process customer account changes, including customer set up and disconnections.
• Ensure billing software is up-to-date with the current rates for all billing purposes; ensure accuracy of bills and accounts for all adjustments and discrepancies for audit purposes.
• Prepare and process billing adjustments; review and process requests for leak adjustments; maintain accurate accounting of past due accounts and payment plans.
• Process monthly water shut-offs for non-payment.
• Respond to inquiries related to liens on properties within City limits.
• Works closely with Public Works field staff in coordinating activities related to utility services requested by customers.
• Responsible for reviewing, reconciling, correcting and maintaining on monthly basis for all utility accounts receivable accounts and liability accounts to the general ledger.
• Cash receipt lead staff person and balances daily cash receipt batches.
• Aids the Court Clerk with processing payments for citations and fines, entering pleas, and overall support of the Municipal Court functions.
• Provide supervisory support to the Utility Specialist I, including directing daily work and evaluating performance. Preforms other duties as assigned.
• Support the Accounting Specialist II with daily financial reporting, including right-of-way and franchise fee payments and reconciliations, business license and building permit payments and reconciliations,
• Establish and maintain positive working relations with coworkers, citizens, and the general public.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Associates Degree and four (4) years of experience maintaining records, processing payments, and general bookkeeping or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent customer service skills and ability to effectively communicate on a one-on-one basis with public.
• Must be able to professionally handle angry and disgruntled customers.
• Ability to follow a strict timeline and ensure timely processing of information.

• Knowledge of office software, including word processing and spreadsheets.
• Experience with Tyler Technologies Incode software preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Ability to prioritize workload efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to schedule work time to facilitate accomplishment of deadlines in daily, monthly, annual reporting requirements of the various duties as described.

Special Requirements/Licenses:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) security clearance.
• Possession of/ability to obtain Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification.

Supervision Received:

Works under the direction of the Finance Director.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Frequently required to sit and talk or listen.
• Required to walk up and down stairs or sit long periods.
• 95% of the work period involves the ability to reach with hands and arms, use hands to finger, handle, operate objects, tools, or controls and must have sufficient hand eye coordination to operate common business equipment.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reaching, bending, stretching and handling objects as required to file.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

• General office computer/equipment including, but not limited it, keyboard, computer software, 10-key calculator, document scanning program, copier, fax machine, calculator, and telephone.

BENEFITS

The City offers a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, sick and vacation leave, and PERS. Please see our website for more details. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Sandy will give consideration to all qualified applicants for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, political affiliations, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor.

Veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for a position open for recruitment may be eligible for preference in employment under Oregon law. If you are a Qualified Veteran or Qualified Disabled Veteran and would like to be granted preference in the selection and hiring process for a specific posted job, please fill out this Veterans’ Preference Form and provide proof of eligibility by submitting a copy of form DD-214 or 215 (copy 4). This completed form and required supporting documentation must be submitted with your application in order for consideration for Veterans’ Preference.

To Apply:  Complete the on-line application and upload your Cover Letter and Resume.