Utility Billing Clerk/Accounting Assistant

City of Brawley•Brawley, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs a variety of clerical, technical customer service, cashiering, utility billing, business license, and accounting support duties. This position serves as an initial point of contact for City customers; establishes and maintains utility accounts; processes payments, adjustments, service requests, notices, and work orders; provides information regarding utility billing, business licenses, and related City services; maintains accurate records; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Principles and procedures used in customer service, cashiering, utility billing, accounts receivable, and basic accounting operations.
Basic business mathematics, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and payment calculations.
Municipal utility billing operations, business license processes, and related customer account practices.
Cash handling practices, receipt processing, balancing procedures, and internal controls.
Modern office procedures, recordkeeping, filing, scanning, and document management practices.
Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and related office software.
Automated financial, utility billing, cashiering, and service order systems.
Business English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and professional correspondence standards.
Customer service techniques for handling difficult or sensitive interactions in a public agency setting.
Provide courteous, accurate, and responsive customer service in person, by telephone, and in writing.
Understand, explain, and apply City utility billing, business license, cash handling, and customer service policies and procedures.
Research account history, identify discrepancies, and assist with resolving customer account issues.
Accurately process payments, receipts, account changes, notices, work orders, and related records.
Prepare and maintain clear, concise, and accurate reports, records, correspondence, and documentation.
Read, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, rules, regulations, fee schedules, and written instructions.
Operate office equipment, including a computer, scanner, copier, calculator, telephone system, and related software.
Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
Prioritize work, meet deadlines, follow up on pending items, and work effectively in a high-volume public counter and telephone environment.
Use sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive or difficult customer situations tactfully.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, other departments, and the public.
Communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
Work independently within established guidelines and as part of a team.
Equivalent to completion of high school or GED.
Two years of increasingly responsible clerical, customer service, cashiering, accounting support, utility billing, accounts receivable, or related experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience in municipal government, utility billing, business licensing, Tyler ERP, or another automated financial or billing system is desirable.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills are desirable.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license may be required depending on assignment.

Responsibilities

Acts as an initial point of contact for City customers at the public counter, by telephone, by email, and through other communication methods; responds to inquiries in a courteous, professional, and timely manner.
Opens, closes, and updates utility billing accounts; processes service forms; verifies required documentation; updates customer records; and maintains records in accordance with City policies and retention requirements.
Explains utility billing practices, rates, fees, deposits, penalties, payment options, payment arrangements, and account requirements to customers.
Reviews account history, consumption data, service orders, and billing records to research and respond to customer inquiries, billing questions, and service concerns.
Receives and processes payments for utility bills, business licenses, miscellaneous City receivables, and other approved City charges; issues receipts and balances cash drawers as assigned.
Processes mail, drop box, check, cash, card, money order, and other approved forms of payment in accordance with City cash handling procedures and internal controls.
Assists with daily cash balancing, deposit preparation, receipt filing, payment documentation, and reconciliation of assigned transactions.
Processes delinquent notices, past-due notices, final notices, and related utility billing correspondence in accordance with City policy and applicable law, including SB 998 requirements as applicable.
Generates, routes, and monitors service orders and work orders for utility service requests, including new service, disconnects, reconnects, leaks, breaks, no-water calls, temporary turn-ons/turn-offs, and other service issues.
Coordinates with Public Works, Building, Code Enforcement, Fire, and other departments regarding service orders, inspections, emergency calls, account issues, business license matters, and customer concerns.
Processes customer correspondence and follows up with customers regarding actions taken, information needed, or pending account matters.
Assists with business license applications, renewals, delinquent notices, fee calculations, penalties, interest, account updates, database maintenance, activity reports, and verification of application, financial, and registration documents.
Identifies potential unlicensed businesses and refers matters to Code Enforcement or other appropriate departments in accordance with City procedures.
Prepares, reviews, files, scans, and maintains utility billing, business license, accounts receivable, cash receipt, and other Finance Department records.
Assists with basic accounting support tasks, including data entry, account research, journal entry support, account coding review, invoice or receipt documentation, and other assigned Finance Department support functions.
Uses automated financial systems for utility billing, cashiering, service order, document management, and office systems to process transactions and maintain accurate records.
Maintains confidentiality of customer, financial, and City records; handles sensitive situations tactfully and professionally.
Establishes and maintains positive and effective working relationships with City staff, customers, vendors, community representatives, and the general public.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
May relieve other department staff during breaks, lunch periods, or absences.
May provide assistance or training support to part-time, temporary, or newly assigned staff.
May provide translation assistance for Spanish-speaking customers.
May assist with special projects, records cleanup, year-end processing, audits, and other Finance Department needs.