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Utility Billing Specialist I

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Utility Billing Specialist I

Salary

$6,012.45 - $7,145.53 Monthly

Location

Lacey, WA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2025-00038

Department

Finance

Division

Utility Billing

Opening Date

07/30/2025

Closing Date

8/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

BASIC PURPOSE

Reporting to the Utility Billing Supervisor, under general supervision, responsible to perform moderately complex technical and customer service duties with respect to the operation and maintenance of the billing and meter reading systems and receivables management. This position also performs essential functions that include, but is not limited to, coordinating monthly water disconnections; assisting with utility billing monthly calculations; reviewing exception reports for missing meter reads; assisting with the generation of monthly bills, past-due notices, and processing penalties; and coordinating the monthly lockoff process with meter reading staff; perform a variety of customer support functions.

A first round of interviews is scheduled for August 25th and August 26th, 2025.

Please note: the Hiring Manager reserves the right to make changes to this posting at any time. This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next six (6) months.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

These duties include but are not limited to the following:

+ Serves as the monthly water disconnection coordinator; generates disconnect notices; develops disconnect schedules and routes; coordinates the disconnection process with the Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) Technicians.

+ Responsible for administration of system updates relating to meter installs, replacements and corrections.

+ Assists with the monthly utility billing calculations and process. Assists with providing technical and administrative assistance to co-workers and other City staff regarding utility billing system and the calculation of rates and monthly billing processes.

+ Assists with the generation of monthly past-due notices from the billing software, processing any associated fees and oversee the production and distribution of the past-due notices to the City’s utility customers.

+ Processes penalties in the billing software for past due customer accounts as part of the monthly billing process, and conducts audits of the penalties for accuracy.

+ Prepares complex utility billing reports by retrieving and compiling statistical data from existing utility billing system.

+ Imports meter read information from the meter reading system into the billing system and generates consumption billings.

+ Reviews exception reports for missing meter reads which includes excessively high or low consumption, consumption on closed accounts, consumption errors based on erroneous reads, synchronicity between the initial meter read and the billing read for new accounts, and over-estimated consumption by billing software.

+ Reviews proofs of past-due notices, billing statements and other notices prior to distribution for accuracy and to ensure they meet the standard for the City’s customer notifications.

+ Ensures all customer notifications and reports are archived in conjunction with the appropriate Washington State records retention schedule.

+ Processes meter installs, exchanges and meter corrections in coordination with Utility Billing Supervisor, AMI Technicians and Public Works Operations staff.

+ Processes meter replumbing service orders in coordination with the Public Works Operations staff and AMI Technicians.

+ Responsible for data entry updates of new meter information in the GPS (Global Positioning System) spreadsheet for use by the Public Works Department.

+ Performs a monthly review of meters showing zero consumption according to the City’s policies and procedures. This includes coordinating with AMI Technicians to access the meter for a physical check of its functionality, as necessary.

+ Creates locations for new service addresses and adds/activates services in the utility billing system due to annexations, sewer extensions, and other changes to utility services, as needed.

+ Creates routes and sequence numbers for meter reading purposes for new connections, including developments under the direction and approval of supervisor.

Other Duties Assigned

+ Performs other duties or special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A H.S. Diploma or equivalent AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting or bookkeeping functions, or computer applications in a busy, public oriented office.

OR

An Associate's degree in accounting, bookkeeping, business administration, or a related field AND three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting or bookkeeping functions or computer applications in a busy, public oriented office.

*May have a combination of experience, education and training that would substitute for the above requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSE(S):

+ Must pass a background investigation (including financial background investigation) and successfully complete reference checks.

+ Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

+ Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures and techniques.

+ Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire OR must obtain within 30 days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City’s insurance carrier; OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites.

+ Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete a required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

+ City and departmental policies and procedures.

+ Basic accounting principles.

+ Billing process principles.

+ Billing and meter reading programs and principles.

+ Software programs, especially Microsoft Excel (create, design and edit spreadsheets; produce data clearly with a professional appearance; utilize complex formulas; create fillable forms, and basic data import from txt or csv files), Word (creating and editing fillable forms, word merge, inserting excel calculations and tables), graphics and record systems.

+ Government Records Retention Schedule.

Skill In:

+ Technical and administrative assistance.

+ Analysis of utility billing information.

+ Performance of moderately complex utility rate calculations.

+ Use of computer programs (excel spreadsheets, databases, word processing, etc.).

Ability to:

+ Exercise independent judgement and interpret complex technical documents.

+ Perform complex mathematical calculations.

+ Demonstrate proficiency in use of computer programs (e.g. MS Suite products).

+ Compile complex statistical reports.

+ Maintain strict confidentiality of information related to utility accounts, violations, tax and other information that may be obtained in the performance of the position.

+ Perform research, organize and present findings.

+ Coordinate efforts to accomplish a task or provide a service.

+ Communicate complex and/or sensitive information in a diplomatic fashion and present a positive, professional image of City services, both verbally and in writing.

+ Coordinate and carry on a number of activities simultaneously under stressful and busy conditions.

+ Prioritize work to meet deadlines.

+ Accurately type 55 wpm.

+ Work independently from general instructions and broad work expectations with minimal direction.

+ Listen to, and resolve, problems in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the customer and staff while promoting professional customer service.

+ Maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

+ Dress and grooming appropriately to the position.

The City of Lacey understands the importance of benefits and offers a competitive and full benefits package for all regular full-time employees.

Generally, represented employees may receive some, or all, of the benefits listed below, based on their union contracts. Those employees should consult their union agreements for specific information about their benefits, which can be found on the City web page here (http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/human-resources/union-contracts-and-policies) .

Medical Insurance Benefits:

+ Medical - Choice of Regence BlueShield (PPO) or Kaiser Permanente (HMO) plans offered through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Trust.

The employer pays 100% of employee's monthly premiums and 90% of qualified dependent/domestic partner's premiums.

+ Vision - VSP with low co-pays

+ Dental – Choice of Willamette or Delta Dental plans and orthodontia coverage.

+ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Program that provides resources to employees, their immediate family (including dependent children) and anyone living in the employee’s household. The EAP can provide help with matters such as stress/anxiety, parenting, grief, workplace issues, legal services, financial services, and more.

Life Insurance & Long Term Disability & Accidental Death and Dismemberment

+ Employer paid life insurance plan

+ Employer paid long term disability plan

+ Employer paid accidental death and dismemberment plan

Leave Benefits:

+ Vacation (which increases with years of service)

+ 96 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis for Non-Represented Non-Supervisory Employees, LPOG Represented Employees

+ 128 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis After Second Year of Employment for LPMA Represented Employees & LPSMA Represented Employees

+ 135 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis for Non-Represented Supervisor or Management Employees

+ 11 Paid Holidays

+ Floating Holidays

+ 2 Floating Holidays for Non-Represented Employees & LPSMA Represented Employees

+ 1 Floating Holiday for LPOG & LPMA Represented Employees

+ 8 Hours Sick Leave on Accrual Basis Per Month

+ Jury Duty/Military Leave

+ Bereavement Leave

*All benefits and accruals outlined in collective bargaining agreements can be found here: Policies, Union Contracts, Pay & Benefits - City of Lacey (https://cityoflacey.org/union-contracts-policies-pay/)

Investment and Retirement Programs:

+ State retirement pension plan – Includes employer paid contributions to the State of Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)

+ 457 Deferred Compensation (voluntary)- two options MissionSquare and DRS

+ Social Security benefit (for Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) covered staff) – Our Employee Benefits include employer paid contributions to Social Security and Employees pay the employee portion of Social Security tax.

+ HRA/VEBA plan- A designated monthly amount (a City and/or employee contribution) is paid into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) VEBA account. An HRA is a type of health plan savings account for your family’s medical care expenses and premiums, which can be accessed during employment with the City or saved and used at separation or retirement.

+ 1% Benefit - Employer provides a 1% contribution of your monthly salary pre-tax towards two options; 1) applied to insurance premium amount owed for dependent coverage or invested into a 457 deferred compensation account; OR a cash disbursement amount applied to your check monthly but the amount is taxed.

Voluntary Benefits:

+ Optional plans for additional life insurance, disability, and accident coverage

+ Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan - employees can contribute pre-tax contributions toward IRS allowed, qualifying medical and/or daycare expenses.

Wellness Program:

+ The City has a robust employee Wellness program that offers a variety of resources and activities for employee well-being.

Flexible Working Arrangements:

+ In recognition of Commute Trip reduction efforts, the City of Lacey provides flexible and alternative work schedules for many of our workforce positions.

+ City Hall is within minutes driving from I-5 Exit 108, and within walking/biking distance from Park and Ride Transit Martin Way Location and the Chehalis Western Trail.

Tuition Reimbursement:

+ The City promotes a learning environment and encourages opportunities for employees to continue to grow in their positions and careers. The City offers tuition reimbursement (as outline in City Personnel Policies) for eligible employees.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF):

+ Employees are also eligible to apply to The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This program is a United States government program that was created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 to provide indebted professionals a way out of their federal student loan debt burden by working full-time in public service.

*Note: Regular part-time employees may be eligible for pro-rated benefits (medical/dental/vision) depending on the hours of work assigned to the position. Their spouses and dependents are not eligible for health insurance coverage.