Part-Time Accounting Technician/Billing Specialist 2024

 General Statement of Duties

Performs advanced, responsible administrative and clerical work performing the customer service and utilities billing and collections functions for the City.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class assists the Customer Service/Utility Billing Supervisor with all of the day-to-day operations of utility billing, collections and customer service.  Work involves distributing mail and answering phones for all departments and routing calls; assistance with maintaining an up-to-date customer account data base and meter data base; setting up and closing out customer accounts and services; posting routes in the system; generating and processing billing and collecting on accounts; preparing and reconciling a variety of reports; handling customer inquiries; providing general fiscal support and reporting; and ensuring that the billing and collection rules and procedures as set by City Council and City Management are followed.  The employee monitors the billing cycle and ensures that all records are submitted within established deadlines; processes work orders with Public Works staff for turn-ons, turn-offs, leak checks, etc.; and processes rental requests and payments for truck rentals, parks and recreation rentals and registrations, zoning and yard sale permits.  Work also involves general accounting responsibilities.  Work is characterized by the multiple detailed procedural steps involved in the work and the required independent knowledge of the utility customer data base management and computer applications.  Work involves public contact functions and coordination with other departments within the City’s organizational structure, especially the Public Works staff.  Considerable tact and courtesy are required in the public contact functions.  Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated through performance reviews, by accuracy and timeliness of customer service records and bills, and thoroughness of assigned responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Serves as receptionist for City Hall; assists the public with a wide variety of information and City services; answers complaints from citizens, research problems and answers to their questions.
• Monitors alerts and digital meter readings daily for those meters that are automated; creates a meter reading batch file, transmits to the Meter Technicians for reading, and imports readings to be used for billing if meters are not automated; proofs meter readings to determine if readings fall within patterns and expectations and if not, requests re-reads; assists customers with questions on bills; makes leak adjustments within established guidelines.
• Monitors the billing cycle and assures that all records are submitted on a timely basis in order that established deadlines will be met.
• Examines the utility billing reports and decides if ready for printing and mailing or if re-reads are needed; closes out accounts and prorates bills; and prepares and mails monthly and final bills.
• Accepts applications for new taps; establishes new utility accounts and ensures proper initial meter readings are entered; enters bank draft information; deletes accounts for multiple temporary development needs.
• Collects and enters a variety of payments received by mail, in-person and through the drop box including utility bills, zoning permits, yard sale permits, truck rentals, parks and recreation rentals and fees, etc.; calculates and administers bill adjustments.
• Balances cash drawer daily; prepares deposits for the bank; prepares insufficient funds letters for Finance; prepares and posts daily credit card payment reports; transfers funds from the credit card payment vendor to the City for credit card payments made online.
• Creates and updates work orders for turn-ons, turn-offs, re-reads, leak checks, etc.; works with citizens with complaints and questions about bills and payment options; manages the list of cut-offs and provides to field personnel to execute;
• Prepares a variety of fiscal reports involving compiling, typing, data entry, reconciling and other fiscal support activities.
• Performs special research, coordination, and other activities for special projects and assignments.

Additional Job Duties

Performs related duties as required, including providing back up to other staff members.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and use figures and statistics, operate a computer terminal, read maps and written material extensively.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from high school supplemented by courses in business or accounting, and experience in a customer service operation involving multiple step tasks and use of customer data base software, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Open – 10-18-2024

Job Close – Open Until Filled

The is a nonexempt part-time position starting at $18.00 per hour for 25 or less hours per week.  The City of Lowell offers a comprehensive benefits program. Applications can be found and submitted online at www.lowellnc.com. or at City Hall. Email optional resume and cover letter to: cramsey@lowellnc.com. Mail applications to: City of Lowell, Attn: Cheryl Ramsey, Human Resource Officer, 101 W. First Street, Lowell, NC 28098. The City of Lowell is an Equal Opportunity Employer