Utility Billing and Collections Clerk

The City of Guelph • Guelph, ON

9d • Onsite

About The Position

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city. Resumes are being accepted for the full-time position of Utility Billing and Collections Clerk, within the Finance Department. Reporting to the Supervisor, Utility Billing and Collections, the successful candidate will perform tasks to process accurate and timely billing and collections of water, wastewater and stormwater utility accounts. Guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

Requirements

• Experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through a 2-year college diploma in Business Administration with a focus in accounting or a related discipline and 1 year experience in revenue, including but not limited to utility billing and collections specific to water, wastewater, storm water services.
• Familiarity with any water billing compliance requirements and regulation.
• Understanding and experience with reconciliations and balancing daily transactions.
• Ability to make quick, accurate decisions with minimal supervision supporting procedures.
• Must possess a good understanding of relevant accounting practices and principles.
• Strong mathematical skills, aptitude for figures, thoroughness and attention to detail and accuracy are critical to this position.
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player, establish effective working relationships with co-workers and a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Must exhibit strong customer service skills with the ability to respond to customers confidentially in a professional and courteous manner.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Must be well organized, able to prioritize work and meet inflexible deadlines in a demanding environment.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook).

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Central Square (Naviline), Amanda, JD Edwards, would be an asset.
• Municipal Tax Administration Program through OMTRA, completion or willingness to complete.
• CMRP or CMTP designation from OMTRA is an asset

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the setup and maintenance of all accounts for water, wastewater and stormwater billing.
• Perform tasks related to the accurate and timely billing of water accounts, including billing, analyzing billing exceptions, and assessing and resolving errors and exceptions.
• Process water, wastewater and stormwater billing, printing and mailing in line with billing schedules.
• Perform tasks related to the accurate and timely completion of all service orders related to the new water billing accounts
• Responsible for validating water meter reads, meter read scheduling, processing customer reads, resolving customer access issues, updating account and billing information, and performing validation and variance activities.
• Perform tasks for final billing, closed and terminated accounts based on ownership or account changes.
• Calculate and apply rebates and adjustments related to the billing.
• Respond to customer billing inquiries, ensuring a high level of professionalism and in accordance with Municipality standards and requirements.
• Respond to customer inquiries, ensuring a high level of professionalism per City standards and requirements, in line with procedures and policies.
• Process payments through all payment channels.
• Process and update the pre-authorized payments plans to include initial enrolment, changes, cancellations, payment amounts, timely resolution of discrepancies and transmittal of data file to bank.
• Set up and process payment arrangements plans and review to ensure account holder compliance.
• Responsible for resolving payment issues, research to find solutions and process customer refunds and adjustments as required.
• Perform activities related to customer collections for water accounts, including late penalties, past due reminder notices, final notices, arrears letters, transfer to property tax accounts and collections/payment telephone calls
• Understand Privacy Legislation and its application within the department.
• Perform system testing to ensure data accuracy, process alignment, and compliance with Billing System updatespgrades and new services.
• Research returned bills to determine correct mailing addresses using various online sources and noting accounts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Parental leave top up program
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees