Billing Specialist

Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission•Lexington, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Billing Specialist position performs account and billing operations, a variety of routine clerical, and financial related duties with a high level of accuracy, exercising judgment in applying established office practices and procedures, and deals effectively and professionally with customers on a variety of issues. This role involves monthly processing of water and sewer billing cycles, including meter read verification and invoice distribution. The specialist will perform routine clerical and data processing work in the billing and collection of utility accounts, conduct system analysis using automated meter reading systems and other customer service databases, and prepare and review various monthly reports necessary for the billing function, including Metabase Reports. The position requires professional and effective communication with customers regarding their accounts, handling inbound customer calls, and processing various customer transactions such as establishing or terminating service, collecting deposits, and updating account information. Additionally, the role involves determining service availability, identifying related accounts, maintaining customer account information for database accuracy, and responding to inquiries and complaints about elevated bills. General administrative/clerical work, including data entry, filing, and communication with various internal and external parties, is also part of the responsibilities. The Billing Specialist will serve as backup Customer Service Representative and perform related tasks as required.

Requirements

High School Diploma
Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in a customer service or billing environment
Knowledge of utility system accounting and billing principles and practices
Ability to follow oral and written direction
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with customers, vendors and other employees
Ability to communicate clearly, tactfully and persuasively, orally and in writing, to individuals and groups
Professional demeanor and good communication skills with the ability to work well with others in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrates strong organizational skills (record keeping, time management, follow up, etc.)
Excellent attention to detail and sense of urgency, ability to prioritize with an emphasis on quality and accuracy of work and ability to multi-task, prioritize and deal with interruptions while meeting timely deadlines

Nice To Haves

Associate's or Bachelor’s degree
Greater than two (2) years’ experience in a customer service or billing role
Experience in Customer Service or Account Management
Experience with Metabase and/or SQL Reports

Responsibilities

Performs monthly processing of water and sewer billing cycles, including meter read verification, and invoice distribution.
Performs routine clerical and data processing work in the billing and collection of utility accounts.
Performs various system analysis duties using the automated meter reading systems and other customer service databases and systems.
Prepares, reviews, processes, and submits a variety of monthly reports necessary for billing function.
Prepare and review Metabase Reports necessary for billing and meter read collection.
Communicates professionally and effectively with customers and public on information concerning accounts.
Answers telephone, screens and forwards calls, as appropriate.
Assists callers regarding billing system issues.
Operates and cares for standard office equipment and machines including computers, printers, and associated billing hardware, and other office equipment.
Handles inbound customer calls using specific greetings, technical skills, and soft skills to achieve organizational goals for quality and level of service to the customer.
Processes various customer transactions to establish service, terminate service, collect deposits, and update customer account information.
Determines availability of service at specific locations and identifies related accounts such as irrigation meters and fire protection accounts.
Responsible for on-going maintenance of customer account information to ensure data base is accurate and up-to-date.
Receives and handles customer inquiries and complaints related to elevated bills; researches customer accounts and provides a timely, courteous, and professional response to customers.
Performs general administrative/clerical work as required, including but not limited to, typing forms, records and reports; data entry; copying and filing documents; communicating with field personnel; compiling information for specific work orders/projects as requested, faxing/mailing information, etc.
Communicates and interacts with various individuals and groups such as customers, managers, attorneys, local agencies, other departmental personnel, local builders and property managers, other water districts, etc.
Will serve as backup Customer Service Representative.
Performs related tasks as required.