Principal Clerk

City of Northampton•Northampton, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for performing various types of skilled administrative, accounting and bookkeeping work to support the operations of the Collector/Treasurer’s office. The work involves numerous standardized practices, procedures, or general instructions that govern the work and in some cases may require additional interpretation. Judgment is needed to locate, select and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation or guideline. The work consists of a variety of duties which generally follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. The sequence of work and/or the procedures followed vary according to the nature of the transaction and/or the information involved, or sought, in a particular situation. Relationships are constantly with co-workers, vendors, attorneys, the public, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance, including departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. The employee has access to sensitive and confidential information in the performance of their duties.

Requirements

High School degree, including or supplemented by courses in accounting, bookkeeping and office procedure
More than one year, up to and including three years, of office experience, preferably in a municipal office that handles accounting or bookkeeping, or any equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
Ability to organize and maintain records and prepare reports from same
Ability to work with various computer applications
Ability to work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines
Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with the public and other City departments
Bookkeeping and accounting skills
Skilled in computer applications and data entry
Organizational skills
Customer service and communication skills

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of department operations and functions
Knowledge of City parking regulations and operation of parking systems

Responsibilities

Posts payments in Munis on a daily basis for personal property, real estate, utility and miscellaneous items.
Inputs City’s parking deposit receipts into Munis.
Responds to inquiries, requests, complaints from public via counter assistance, telephone calls, email and mail; provides varied types of customer service and assistance at front counter.
Participates in opening and closing procedures.
Interacts with Deputy Collector on matters including, but not limited to payments, RMV holds/releases and general information.
Reviews lock box exceptions online.
Explains tax collection procedures and regulations.
Researches and prepares Municipal Lien Certificates.
Accepts payments for taxes and parking tickets at the counter and through the mail.
Researches payments and assists with adjustments or corrections; administers all PEO input errors on tickets, including contact with plate holder, making corrections and mailing accuracy letters when needed.
Manages the City’s E.J. Gare Garage Leaseholder Permit accounts, including opening, closing and suspending accounts, processing payments made online, by mail, and in person, corresponding with leaseholders and collecting overdue payments.
Coordinates and directs efforts of Parking Enforcement Officers (PEO) as required, based upon information received directly, through dispatch, or through the Supervisor via radio, phone, or in person; assigns and dispatches PEOs to parking related calls.
Communicates pay station, garage, and meter malfunctions to maintenance supervisor for resolution.
Handles all rental/lease vehicle violator name format changes/delinquent notices.
Handles inputting/processing of hand written police tickets, including abandoned vehicle tickets; schedules hearings, contacts tow/storage facilities, mails notices.
Manages City’s Meter Bag Program, including processing customer/contractor forms, taking deposits and payments, distributing supplies/equipment and invoicing long term accounts.
Coordinates yearly city’s Official Business placards and long term lot permits, including contacting vendor, ordering, proofing and approving images, pickup and payment.
Serves as witness at parking hearings.
Performs similar or related work as required.