Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist



Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist

Salary

$38,147.20 Annually

Location

Coppell, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Department

FINANCE ADMINISTRATION

Opening Date

08/09/2019

Closing Date

8/23/2019 5:00 PM Central

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The Opportunity

The Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist is responsible for performing a variety of tasks in direct response to service requests by City residents.  This employee performs many tasks independently and is frequently exposed to direct and indirect hazards inherent in water utility services. Daily activities for this hybrid office/field position vary, with some days being primarily in the office an some days in the field.  This position is also responsible for the pick up and delivery of daily mail for the City.  This employee frequently interacts with other City employees and members of the general public.  Employee must also respond to customer service matters and inspect utilities and water meter equipment as needed.  Regular attendance is an essential job function and employment duties are routinely performed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, with additional hours as needed on a weekly basis.

Eligibility

  • Respond to customer notification of water service problems, including leak detection and meter repair.
  • Cash handling.
  • Face to face interaction with customers.
  • Complete postings on payments, billings, or adjacent to customer accounts.
  • Generate monthly billing and biweekly cutoffs in the system and physically go to address to cut off the water.
  • Process work orders in the field, visit meters, and troubleshoot why a read was not sent and/or why a customer was usage was high.
  • Determine whether the origin of the service problem is the result of a City, residential or commercial service problem.
  • Inspect water utilities and meter service equipment as scheduled or required.
  • Record monthly water meter readings.
  • Maintain Utility Department vehicles and equipment.
  • Prepare and maintain appropriate records and related documentation pursuant to applicable policy.
  • Perform other related duties and tasks as requested, required, or instructed.

This is Coppell

Technical Competencies
 
Knowledge and ability to correctly apply professional/specialized expertise; skillfully manage information; properly use tools, equipment and technology; effectively allocate resources; proactively identify and resolve issues; consistently make sound decisions; correctly execute policy processes and procedures; strictly adhere to/enforce safety polices; consistently produce quality results; proactively plan and organize; consistently provide exceptional customer service.
 
Human Competencies
 
Motivation of Self & Others:  We demonstrate a core desire to serve the Public and the Organization through our commitment, passion, initiative and drive.
Leadership of Self & Others:  We motivate, inspire and influence others to strive towards excellence by being participatory, positive, accountable, team focused, influential in goal achievement, and empowering.
Service –Oriented:   We behave in a friendly and professional manner centering on a desire to address the needs of internal and external customers while respecting their rights and dignity by being people-oriented, helpful, understanding and compassionate.
Trustworthy:  We earn the confidence of others by demonstrating both the character and the competence to fulfill our obligations with both integrity and honesty along with ethical, credible behavior.
Relational:  We establish trust, cooperation, mutual respect and support with an objective to improve relationships by valuing diversity and being diplomatic/tactful, cooperative, empathetic, broadminded, flexible, respectful and compassionate/caring.
Communication:  We exchange information and ideas in a manner which results in mutually supported decisions for the greater good by sharing thoughts & feelings, and through persuasiveness, assertiveness, empathic listening, conflict resolution and deliberating/debating.
Emotional Maturity:  We demonstrate the ability to manage and monitor our emotions and to assess the emotional state of others by understanding stress management, balance and consistency.
Development of Self & Others:  We are committed to improving the knowledge, skills, personal qualifications and performance of ourselves and others through coaching, counseling/discipline, delegation and self-development.
 
Conceptual Competencies
 
Organizational Awareness:  We are aware of the Organization's structure and culture for how we do business by understanding organizational structure, departmental impact on organization, interdepartmental relations, organizational culture, organizational development and leadership style.
Global Awareness:  We stay informed of issues and trends that may impact the Organization by understanding intergovernmental relations, political awareness, and media/public relations.
Community Awareness:  We have a sense of the community's culture and its impact on service delivery by understanding purpose of service, citizen/stakeholder expectations, demographics and branding.
Professional Insight:  We thoroughly understand our particular professions and apply the principles and ethics required in the professions' service delivery by applying principles, professional ethics and by understanding futuring/profession trends, legal implications and resource planning.
Innovation:  We successfully implement ideas that improve and/or add value to service delivery through creative thinking, risk taking, continuous improvement and by being quality minded and a change agent.
Critical Thinking:  We actively and skillfully conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information to reach a sound answer or conclusion by understanding issue/problem identification, analysis, consequences, and by balancing decision factors.
Visioning:  We understand the future direction of the Organization and understand the efforts and processes needed to achieve it through goal setting and by following the mission/values.

Skills/Abilities
 
The Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist works closely with others as part of a team and should have excellent customer service skills. This employee frequently performs multiple tasks simultaneously. The Customer Service Utility Billing Specialist should be skilled in cash handling, posting customer payments, billing, and adjusting customer accounts.  When in the field, this position requires continually changing tasks in a noisy and distracting environment subject to a variety of environmental conditions.  This employee must have the ability to effectively communicate and interact with coworkers and members of the general public, in a cordial and professional manner, using the English language verbally on a daily basis.  

Physical Requirements

This position requires driving a vehicle, kneeling, lifting up to 50 pounds, listening, pushing or pulling, reaching, seeing, sitting, standing, stooping, talking, and walking. 

Knowledge
 
The Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist must be knowledgeable in math and  familiar with Microsoft Excel (as well as other MS Office products).  This employee must be able to read, comprehend, and comply with all relevant or applicable city or state procedures or policies.  The Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist utilizes a personal computer with word processing software and must be able to prepare written reports and memos related to record-keeping requirements and maintaining adequate inventory of equipment and materials.  Knowledge of City streets and understanding water meter functions is preferred.  

Experience
 
The Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist must have a high school diploma or GED.  Two years of customer service experience required.  Cash handling, payment application, and utility/meter reading experience preferred. 
 
Working Environment:

The Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist performs essential job functions both indoors and outdoors in a field environment.  Must be able to safely operate City vehicles and equipment and perform a variety of tasks at work sites that may include extreme vibration, extreme temperatures or weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, and noise.
 
Reporting Relationship
The Customer Service and Utility Billing Specialist reports directly to the Utility Billing Manager.

 

In accordance with the ADA, the City of Coppell is willing to consider any reasonable accommodation.

 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SUMMARY FULL-TIME

The City of Coppell is self-funded and pays employee coverage for medical, dental (HMO plan), life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability.  The employee pays dependent coverage for medical, dental, life and AD&D insurance.  Coverage is effective the first of the month concurrent with or following date of hire.

Medical Insurance

We offer a PPO United Healthcare Options network HRA annual rollover plan.  For this plan year, the HRA funded by the City is $500 reimbursement for in-network deductibles and 20% co-insurance only.  The fiscal year individual/family in-network deductible is $2,500/$5,000 with 80% coverage after deductible.  Office co-pays are $40 for PCP/$50 for specialist.  Basic outpatient lab work by Lab Corp is covered 100% up to $1,000. Our plan summary and premium rate sheet is on our website.

Dental Insurance

Our dental insurance is through Guardian and offers the HMO and PPO plan.  Both plans include two cleanings each year per person.  The HMO out of pocket is based on set fees with no deductible or maximum. The PPO plan has 80% basic coverage and 50% major coverage after a $50/$150 individual/family deductible.  Orthodontia is also available on both plans for adults and children.

Prescription Benefit

Our prescription benefit is through Kroger Pharmacy Plan.  There is a $50 brand plan year deductible. Then following applies:

                        30 day supply               90 day supply (mail order or retail)

                        Tier 1  - $5                     Tier 1 (generic)              -  $10
                        Tier 2 - $40                    Tier 2 (name brand)        -  $80
                        Tier 3 - $70                    Tier 3 (non formulary)     -  $140
                        Specialty Drug - $300

Vision

Our vision plan is with Superior Vision with $10 exam/$25 eyewear in-network co-pays. Annual exams and most lenses are paid in full after co-pays. Frames are paid once each 12 months up to $125 retail value.  Contact lenses are paid once each 12 months up to $150. The premium rates are on our website.

Life Insurance

The City of Coppell pays 2 times your annual salary to your beneficiary up to a maximum of $400,000.  Those employees age 65 and over will receive a reduced benefit.  Additional voluntary individual and dependent life insurance is available through Mutual of Omaha.

AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment)

The City of Coppell pays 2 times your annual salary to your beneficiary up to a maximum of $400,000 in addition to your life insurance.  Those employees age 65 and over will receive a reduced benefit.  Additional voluntary individual and dependent AD&D insurance are available through Mutual of Omaha.

Short-term Disability

The city pays for short-term disability.  Coverage begins on the 15th day of absence due to your own covered injury or illness. Earnings are 60% of weekly income up to $2,300 maximum per week.

Long-term Disability

Long-term Disability is equivalent to 60% of your monthly salary up to $10,000 after 90 days of qualifying disability.

TMRS (Texas Municipal Retirement System)

TMRS is your retirement program.  Employees contribute 7% of gross earnings each paycheck.  The City's match is 2 to 1 upon retirement.  TMRS members are vested with 5 years of service.  Employees are eligible to retire with 20 years of service or at age 60 with 5 years of service.

Holidays

The City of Coppell has 10 ½ paid holidays per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 ½ days), Christmas (2 days) and one personal day.

Vacation

Vacation leave accrues at the end of the first full pay period and may not be used until successful completion of the initial probationary period.  During the 1st year of employment, 10 days of vacation are accrued (5 days for 24 hour shift).  After the 1st year, the accrual is earned at the rate of 15 days per year (7.5 days for 24 hour shift). The accrual rate increases with years of service up to 24 days annually (12 days for 24 hour shift).

Sick Leave

Sick leave begins accruing during the first full pay period of employment at the rate of 12 days annually (6 days for 24 hour shift). The maximum cumulative accrual is 1040 hours (1560 hours for 24 hour shift).

Longevity

The City of Coppell pays $6 per month for accumulated months of service in a lump sum annually in November.

Compensation Incentive

The City of Coppell gives employees $150 per month to apply first towards their dependent medical premium if applicable, or invest in our ICMA 457 plan.

Deferred Compensation Plan

ICMA provides tax-deferred supplemental 457 retirement plans

Flex Spending Section 125

Employees may participate in the Flexible Benefit Plan, which corresponds to Section 125 of the IRS Code. The plan allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out of pocket medical, dental, vision and related health care expenses. Employees may also elect to contribute to a dependent care reimbursement account through voluntary pre-tax payroll deductions.

100% Direct Deposit

It takes two pay periods for complete processing.

Wellness Health Center

Free to City of Coppell employees and dependents on our medical plan for health coaching and acute care.

The CORE

Free individual and family membership for employees.

Coppell Library

All employees and their families have free access to our Library.

Employee Assistance Program

The City of Coppell pays for confidential counseling on life and family issues.

Cariloop

Online healthcare coaches to guide through challenges as a caregiver.

Bereavement Leave

The City of Coppell provides up to 24 hours (36 hours for 24 hour shift) paid leave in the event of a death(s) for current spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, stepparent, stepchild, grandparent or grandchild of an employee or employee's current spouse.

Civil Leave

Employees receive paid leave for jury duty and other approved civil leave.

Military Leave

Full pay for up to 15 work days per fiscal year and one time partial pay for up to 180 days if eligible.

Workers' Compensation

Anytime an employee is injured on the job during the scope of City business, the employee is covered by workers' compensation insurance.

Tuition Reimbursement

Once initial probationary period is complete, the City provides proportional tuition only reimbursement from an approved college for job related courses within a degree plan with requirements.

Other Optional Benefits:

AFLAC
Legal Shield
InfoArmor
Long-Term Care

01
Do you have a high school diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No
02
How many years of customer service experience do you have?
  • Two or More
  • One
  • Zero
03
How many years of cash handling experience do you have?
  • Two or More
  • One
  • Zero
04
Do you have experience with billing and/or payment applications?
  • Yes
  • No
05
Do you have experience with meter reading?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Agency
Coppell, City of (TX)
Address
255 Parkway Blvd

Coppell, Texas, 75019
Phone
972-304-3699