**This position is being re-posted**
If you previously applied and meet the qualifications below, please re-apply to be considered.
Position is open until filled with a first review date of May 2, 2025
Join Our Team as a Utility Billing Assistant! The City of Monroe is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Utility Billing Assistant to join our Finance team. In this role, you will be responsible for accurately billing City customers for water, sewer, and storm services, while also providing exceptional customer support. Additionally, you will oversee collection and lien activities and serve as the department’s records liaison.
- Generate monthly utility billing of Water, Sewer, and Storm Water for customers’ and City accounts.
- Receive and respond to high volume of utility customer inquiries, complaints and requests by telephone, walk-ins at the front counter or in writing for assigned customer accounts. Ensure inquiries are handled promptly and professionally.
- Respond to customers professionally and in a pleasant, courteous manner.
- Monitor the collection status and promises to pay of all accounts; file liens with County on 60-day accounts, send 90-day accounts to collection.
- Prepare liens as necessary for Finance Manager signature and filing.
- Troubleshoot billing and meter reading software issues, contacting the vendor as needed.
- Review delinquent accounts with Finance Manager prior to shut-off. Prepare shut-off listing and provide copies to Public Works and Finance Department as required.
- Generate utility billing file transferfor printing and mailing by outside vendor to meetscheduled deadlines.
- Prepare handhelds for meter reading by Public Works Department. Ensure routes for meter reading are properly sequenced according to meter reader requests utilizing the most efficient route.
- Process final utility bills from information provided by Customer Service Specialists for assigned customer accounts. Process final bills per department procedures for manual reads or automated Webcheck system.
- Calculate, prepare and enter data forbilling adjustments, waiving of penalties, balance transfers and other charges as needed within established guidelines for assigned customer accounts. Obtain approvals from Finance Manager as required.
- Check accuracy of data for assigned new utility accounts entered into the utility billing master file.
- Coordinate with Customer Service Specialist, to ensure consistency of procedures and timing of processes as required.
- Maintain current customer information for assigned customer accounts following MMC guidelines for utility billing, obtain landlord signature for all tenant billings.
- Ensure all active meters are read monthly and all suspended meters read bi-annually.
- Review monthly meter readings prior to billing for unread meters, errors and out of range consumption.
- Intake senior discount applications and request up-dated applications annually for assigned customers. Change or update utility master files as appropriate.
- Prepare service requests for repairs and meter exchanges as indicated by Public Works. Follow up to ensure all service requests are handled in a timely manner.
- Update exchanged meter and MXU information into assigned customer accounts received from Public Works department.
- Create and maintain monthly schedule for meter reading, billing dates, delinquent notices and water shut off dates.
- Provide back up coverage for front desk and phones.
- Enter rate revisions in billing software for review by Finance Manager.
- Notify Treasurer of any discrepancies for utility accounts which affect the general ledger or taxes paid on utilities.
- Prepare monthly spreadsheets of major water customers and monthly billing totals. Monitor major water accounts for deviations in consumption; investigate and bring to Finance Manager’s attention as needed.
- Provide information and obtain all necessary approvals from immediate supervisor as required.
- Run and print various monthly reports from the utility billing software. Ensure records are maintained in accordance with State retention schedules and moved to the outdoor records area, keeping the archive storage area for current data only.
- Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
- Perform other duties as directed.
Education and Experience:- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Strong communication skills and customer service background involving financial transactions.
- At least two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in finance or related administrative support role.
- Experience working in local or county government is strongly preferred with the ability to learn billing procedures and regulatory requirements.
Desired Qualifications:- Coursework in accounting, finance, public administration, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality customer service in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to handle inquiries and complaints in a professional and courteous manner.
- Proactive problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Familiarity with government financial systems, utility billing, or permitting software is a plus.
Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
