Utility Billing/Customer Service Representative

City of Columbia Heights • Columbia Heights, MN

11d • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs a variety of administrative duties requiring a knowledge of the principles of accounting, and daily public contact/customer service. Duties include assisting walk-in customers, answering main City Hall and Utility Billing telephone and Utility Billing email, processing payments, coordinating service requests, supporting daily front-office operations, and other clerical duties as needed. Decisions are made in terms of established policies and procedures; with difficult, non-routine, or complex problems being referred to a supervisor. Portions of the work require judgment based on knowledge of accounting principles. Work is performed under the supervision of the Utility Billing Coordinator and is evaluated for accuracy and adherence to standards.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED
• Two years experience involving extensive public contact.
• One year work experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or related data entry position.
• Skill in the operation of a computer, using word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to make varied arithmetic computations and tabulations rapidly and accurately.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to coordinate and follow through on work tasks and projects to completion.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years related work experience.
• One year of coursework in accounting or related field.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Somali, Amharic, Oromo, Hmong, Vietnamese and/or Lao.

Responsibilities

• Operates and reconciles cash register; codes and rings up receipts; accepts credit cards and checks according to established procedure, identifies and corrects errors.
• Serves as the initial point of contact for residents and customers by providing information on municipal services and functions including utility billing, building permitting, refuse, and city administration both in person and on the phone.
• Assists residents directly with billing and account questions and provides education on utility usage, payment options and City policies and procedures.
• Performs various clerical tasks including data entry for financial transactions, file records and scan records into digital storage system.
• Prepares A/P checks for mailing by verifying vendor information and total against payment voucher prior to stuffing.
• Processes outgoing mail.
• Serves as the backup Administrative Assistant for the Community Development Department.
• Performs other clerical duties related to the position as assigned including: Building permit and business license customer service; Refuse and special assessment customer service; Election customer service; and Human resources customer service.
• Notary services for residents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED