Utility Clerk

City of Appleton•Appleton, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a challenging and responsible clerical and accounting position, which involves complex work methods/ problems and investigation of customer billing complaints. Work involves performing a variety of accounting and clerical functions, which requires the exercise of independent judgment in the interpretation of policies and regulations. Work is performed under moderate supervision of the Enterprise Fund Accounting Manager and is reviewed in a general manner on the basis of results obtained and for adherence to established policies and procedures.

Requirements

Thorough experience in responsible accounting, billing services and customer service work
Graduation from high school, three to five years of additional training or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training
Knowledge of accounting principles and procedures.
Knowledge of PSC rules and regulations.
Considerable knowledge of cash handling, receipting, and reconciling.
Considerable knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
Knowledge of water meters.
Knowledge of city ordinances and codes.
General knowledge of bankruptcy laws and procedures.
Understanding of water, wastewater sewer and stormwater rules and regulations.
Thorough knowledge of business English, spelling, and vocabulary.
Knowledge of department rules, regulations, procedures and functions.
Ability to operate effectively and proficiently various computer software programs such as Word, Excel, Sequel and knowledge of the billing and cash receipting systems.
Ability to coordinate multiple tasks.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with personnel at various levels.
Ability to understand and carry out moderately complex oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public, and to deal with public relation problems courteously and tactfully.
Ability to work accurately under pressure and meet deadlines.
Ability to make minor decisions in accordance with laws and regulations and to apply these to work problems.
Ability to make moderately complex arithmetic computations accurately and with reasonable speed.
Ability to keep focused on work assignments while being interrupted to answer telephone calls and assist with walk in customers.
Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
Ability to work as a team in a fast-paced environment maintaining effective relationships with co-workers, supervisors and peers.
Ability to maintain office records, compile difficult or complex data, and to prepare accurate reports.
Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
Ability to bend, reach and lift up to 25 lbs.

Responsibilities

Enters/downloads meter readings and generates accurate City Service Invoices.
Maintains water, wastewater sewer and stormwater billing rates.
Sets up new customer accounts.
Generates reminder notices for past due accounts.
Reviews Stormwater Utility Service Applications and maintains accountability for all pre-numbered forms.
Computes and changes stormwater Equivalent Runoff Units,(ERU's).
Verifies accuracy of customer's account.
Checks, verifies, adjusts and/or corrects customer accounts due to leaks, stalls, incorrect readings, bankruptcy filings and payment processing concerns.
Coordinates turn-off process for past due accounts. This includes preparing payment plan documentation and calling customers to inform them of water disconnection.
Coordinates and prepares annual special assessment tax roll file of past due accounts.
Generates work orders for stalls, high readings or discrepancies in any meter readings.
Updates customer comment file for all changes and account adjustments.
Answer inquiries and complaints pertaining to bills and water usage concerns.
Works on special projects involving the investigation of discrepancies involving cash receipting and City Service Invoices
Communicates with Town of Grand Chute, Town of Menasha, Village of Sherwood and Waverly Sanitary District to insure compliance with Inter-Municipal Agreements.
Monitors all new accounts to ascertain eligibility credits for residential summer service.
Maintains regular punctual and predictable attendance, works overtime and extra hours as required.
Provides customer service, processes customer receipts.
Provides telephone and customer service back up for others during lunch and break time and other peak Finance Department service times.
Reconciles drawer receipts to the cash receipting reports.
Print and prepares bulk mailings to meet U.S. Post Office requirements for billings and reminder notices.
Type letters, reports, and other correspondence.
Assist other clerical staff as necessary.