City of Tampa

The employee in this class is responsible for assisting in supervising and performing assignments involving: utility billing credit and collections to enforce and ensure conformance with codes, ordinances, plans, etc., and to ascertain correct charges. Under general supervision, the employee assists in performing supervisory activities to include the scheduling, assignment, and review of office and fieldwork. Considerable initiative and independent judgment are required in determining charges and credits for application to bills and in determining when a customer’s account has been undercharged and retroactive billing is necessary. Tact and courtesy are extremely important as work involves considerable public contact, including such tasks as explanation of charges and collection of delinquent accounts. Work is of more than average difficulty and includes investigating complaints received from the public, determining if a problem exists, and coordinating solutions to the problem. The employee might operate a lightweight motor vehicle in the performance of field assignments. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained.

 

Assists in planning, assigning, supervising, training, and reviewing the work of subordinate employees engaged in utility billing, credit and collections; recommends employment, promotion, transfer, discipline, demotion, and dismissal of subordinate employees as necessary; responds to requests for leave; may serve as respondent to grievances; completes employee performance appraisals; administers discipline as required.

Tracks meter reading schedule and download of data to prepare for billing; audits meter reads and exceptions for final billing; reviews and approves financial adjustments.

Participates in developing strategy and tactical plans for collection of past due accounts; monitors accounts receivable status, deposit coverage and write-off trending; participates in bankruptcy proceedings and records.

Participates in Development, implementation and review of team goals; prepares performance reports.

Supervises inspections and investigations of the following: new water meter set locations to ascertain correct charges and services to be rendered; accounts that have been opened by contractors and are being transferred to private owners; multi-family units to determine vacancies so credit can be made; claims for credit when dwelling is for sale, under repair, vacant, or used for storage; water accounts to compare water service with refuse service; all locations for vacancy when mail is returned; and, building permit lists to determine whether refuse charges are correct.

Collects fees on garbage-only accounts which become delinquent and prepares customer receipt; bills customer accounts retroactively for falsifying records or when incorrect charges have been made; performs follow-ups on delinquent notices, approved applications, and returned bad checks to achieve compliance or collection.

Researches and responds to customer billing problems.

Prepares and/or reviews and approves periodic and special statistical, financial and other reports; establishes and maintains specialized files and record keeping systems and makes necessary reports; participates in updates to billing rates in system as necessary; resolves errors and problems in accounts, payments etc in order to facilitate processing; verifies customer account information.

Performs related work as required.

 

Considerable knowledge of: business English and mathematics; rules, regulations, procedures, and functions of utility billing systems; meter reading systems, scheduling and related performance targets; utility rates, fees and taxes; codes and field methods relating to collections; appropriate municipal codes, ordinances, resolutions and regulations.

Working knowledge of: effective supervisory practices; deposits, accounts receivable management, write-off, and bankruptcy practices; team dynamics, team building and diversity; business office practices and the computer systems utilized by the department; the layout of the city and its geography.

Ability to: plan, assign, supervise, and review the work of subordinate personnel; make mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and the general public; prepare and present clear and concise reports both orally and in writing; maintain records using a variety of source materials; understand and follow complex oral and written instructions. Skill in: problem solving; oral and written communications.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in business or public administration or a related field and five (5) years of responsible experience in utility billing and credit including two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience; OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in business or public administration or a related field, and seven (7) years of responsible utility billing and credit experience including two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience. Or an equivalent combination of education (not less than possession of a high school diploma/GED), training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency