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Utilities Customer Service Specialist / Representative

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Utilities Customer Service Specialist / Representative

Salary

$77,272.00 - $103,688.00 Annually

Location

Palo Alto, CA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

202501077

Department

Utilities Department

Opening Date

10/06/2025

Closing Date

10/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Max Number of Applicants

100

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

This recruitment will remain open until October 13, 2025, or until 100 applications have been received, whichever occurs first. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as the recruitment may close prior to the stated closing date.

Career Opportunity

The City’s Utilities Department is seeking motivated, service-oriented professionals to join our Customer Support Services Division. We are currently recruiting for two positions: Customer Service Specialist and Customer Service Representative. These positions are ideal for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, public-facing environment and are committed to delivering high-quality service to our community.

The Customer Service Specialist performs complex and technical customer service duties, including utility billing, account analysis, reconciliation, and the resolution of escalated issues. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to exercise independent judgment in decision-making. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with extensive experience in utility billing and customer account resolution, preferably in a municipal environment. They possess a strong understanding of billing systems, metering practices, and consumption analysis, and can confidently manage complex account discrepancies with minimal oversight.

The Customer Service Representative serves as the first point of contact for utility customers, providing information, assistance, and account support via phone, in person, and online. Responsibilities include processing payments, responding to customer inquiries, and assisting with routine billing and service requests. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator with experience in public contact, office administration, cashiering, or call center operations. They are organized, customer-focused, and capable of managing a high volume of inquiries with professionalism and efficiency.

Customer Support Services Division

The Customer Support Services Division (https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Utilities/Customer-Service) ensures that all customer inquiries are addressed promptly and effectively. Our team is committed to providing high-quality assistance, resolving issues efficiently, and maintaining open lines of communication to enhance customer satisfaction. By implementing robust support systems and continuous training, we strive to exceed expectations and foster lasting relationships with our clients.

City of Palo Alto Utilities is in the process of implementing a new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program that empowers customers to conveniently and efficiently monitor their consumption through our MYCPAU portal. Our dedicated Customer Support staff assist customers in navigating this portal, ensuring easy access to and understanding of their usage data. This initiative aims to enhance customer engagement and promote informed decision-making regarding energy consumption.

Salary:

+ Customer Service Specialist (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/paloaltoca/classspecs/811841?keywords=Customer%20Service%20Specialist&pagetype=classSpecifications) : $84,780.80 - $103,688.00 Annually

+ Customer Service Representative (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/paloaltoca/classspecs/811840?keywords=Customer%20Service%20Representative&pagetype=classSpecifications) : $77,272.00 - $94,473.60 Annually

Benefits: Fantastic benefits package, to learn more click Here (https://www.cityofpaloaltoemployee.com/summary-of-benefits) .

Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click Here (https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Human-Resources/Labor-Agreements-and-Salary-Schedules) .

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU).

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Customer Service Specialist

+ Calculates, corrects and adjusts the more complex utility bills requiring a more detailed analysis as relates to zero usage, non-registration, tampering or energy diversion, storm drainage fees, etc.; interface with meter shop calibration technicians concerning metering problems and repairs.

+ Processes electric demand meter documents and establishes computerized records of all utility meters installed for customer accounts; monitors utility billing system records to verify accuracy of data.

+ Reviews customer utility consumption data using computer terminal (CRT) to determine proper amount for service bills rejected by the Datamatic Meter Reading System; resolves problems which require detailed analysis and exercises independent judgment.

+ Contacts customers to discuss billing discrepancies and performs investigations to resolve problems; composes original correspondence as necessary to investigate, explain or reconcile unusual utility usage, billing errors, mixed accounts, missing documents, meter calibration problems, etc.

Customer Service Representative

+ Responds to heavy telephone and counter contact with utility customers to obtain or give information of an essentially straightforward nature, but requiring a more thorough knowledge of procedures where the consequence of error is more significant.

+ Processes utility bills, maintains records of customer accounts for ready access, investigates and resolves customer utility bill complaints, makes adjustments to customer accounts, types duplicate bills, all according to standard procedures.

+ Answers utility customer correspondence in connection with bills or accounting procedures and follows up on delinquent closing bills, all according to standard operating procedures, but occasionally requiring use of individual judgment.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

Customer Service Specialist

+ A combination of training and education equivalent to completion of two years of college or business school; and,

+ Two years experience as a Customer Service Representative, preferably with a private or municipal utility.

For the full Customer Service Specialist job description, click Here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/paloaltoca/classspecs/811841?keywords=Customer%20Service%20Specialist&pagetype=classSpecifications) .

Customer Service Representative

+ A combination of training and education equivalent to completion of two years of college or business school preferred; and,

+ Two years of general office experience involving heavy telephone or public contact.

For the full Customer Service Representative job description, click Here (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/paloaltoca/classspecs/811840?keywords=Customer%20Service%20Representative&pagetype=classSpecifications) .

Supplemental Information

Training Period and Transition to Hybrid Work Schedule:

The training period for these positions is thorough and typically takes between six months to one year. The timeline for transition to a hybrid work schedule will ultimately depend on the supervisor’s assessment of the employee’s performance and readiness. Eligibility for a hybrid work schedule will be considered once the supervisor is confident the employee has received sufficient training and can perform all necessary tasks without direct supervision.

The Selection Process:

+ Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).

+ Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.

+ Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.

+ The screening process for this position may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

+ Multiple positions may be filled through this posting.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.