Description
GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:
Performs difficult technical and administrative work overseeing all utility service account activities including billing, collections, meter reading, repair, maintenance and installation and related customer service; does related work as required. Work is performed under the general supervisor of the Public Utilities Director.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:
Planning, coordinating and supervising utility office customer service, billing and collection activities; coordinating capital budgets and reporting; preparing and maintaining files and records.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
- Advises the Public Utilities Director on public utilities projects, activities, and related administrative functions.
- Researches and recommends long-range plans and strategies for meeting citizen service needs and policy changes.
- Projects budget needs including staffing, equipment, parts and supplies, etc. on an annual basis; monitors to assure operation within approved budget.
- Prepares Public Utilities Agenda items to be presented at the Board of Commissioners meeting.
- Prepares bulk user billing and collection; Manages finances for Department.
- Oversees capital projects; works with the funding agency, engineers, contractors and contractor documents throughout the project.
- Prepares quarterly progress reports when required by the funding agency.
- Assists with the preparation of the annual budget and enterprise funds.
- Codes monthly vendor invoices and tracks the process through to the issuance of the check to the vendor.
- Provides analysis information necessary to make decisions on rate increases.
- Prepares and maintains databases necessary to track monthly unaccounted for water.
- Prepares water usage reports necessary to bill the Towns for monthly water usage.
- Prepares purchase order requisitions, orders supplies as requested; process invoices.
- Prepares the recruitment, selection, promotion, training, and disciplining of division personnel in consultation and at direction of the Director.
- Prepares administrative correspondence for the Department.
- Orders uniforms for staff.
- Sets priorities and deadlines; provides guidance and direction on daily and weekly basis
- Supervise and evaluates performance of direct reports.
- Reviews and process timesheets, leave request forms and maintains leave tracking documentation.
- Track Project expenses and necessary documentation.
- Prepares and maintains a wide variety of reports and correspondence on department activities as requested.
- Receives citizen inquiries or complaints and dispatches available information recommending action.
- Maintains a customer complaint log, including how complaints are resolved.
- Runs departmental errands, picks up supplies and materials as needed.
- Serves as a backup to the Utility Customer Service Supervisor and fill in for Supervisor or Representatives when needed.
- Performs related tasks as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of bookkeeping principles and practices as they relate to utility office management or governmental enterprise finances; Considerable knowledge of principles and processes for providing utility services - customer service, utility billing and standard utility processes. Thorough knowledge of standard office accounting and management practices, procedures and equipment; general knowledge of utility service practices, including water and electric meter, service and line installation; ability to plan, organize, lay out, supervise and review the work of clerical and maintenance employees; ability to maintain varied and complex records and filing systems and to prepare reports from such records; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with officials, employees and the general public. Comprehensive knowledge of general office equipment and personal computers to include customer information systems, word processing, spreadsheet, and related software.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited community college with major course work in accounting or related field and considerable experience in a utility collections and customer service operation. Considerable knowledge of principles of accounting and/or basic government financial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of general office equipment and personal computers to include customer information systems, word processing, spreadsheet, and related software.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects, and some light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, standing, walking, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of North Carolina.