Utility Billing Customer Service Clerk
: Job Details :

Salary: $20.24 - $26.21 Hourly Location : Whitefish, MT Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 2024-0023 Department: Finance Opening Date: 10/17/2024 Closing Date: 11/17/2024 5:00 PM Mountain General Purpose The City of Whitefish is actively recruiting for a Utility Billing Customer Service Clerk in our Finance department. We welcome your inquiries and encourage you to apply! If you have a passion for serving the public sector, this may be the perfect fit for you. One of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish is consistently rated one of the best small towns in America and was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world by National Geographic. It is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and the base of Big Mountain - home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish also boasts over 36 miles of natural surface single-track mountain biking and hiking trails with 10 trailheads, golfing, world class dining, two professional live theater companies, and is only thirty minutes from Glacier National Park. Starting pay is likely $20.24 - $21.49 per hour depending on experience. Benefits of working for the City of Whitefish include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Competitive wages
• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance (FY25 the City pays 84.09% of monthly premium, employee pays 15.91% of monthly premium pre-tax)
• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
• Free annual biometric screening - Employee and spouse/partner can earn up to $200 incentive for participation
• City Wellness Program - City pays $30 per month to employees to use toward wellness
• Corporate rate membership to The Wave health club (billed to City and deducted through payroll)
• Montana Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) - includes employer and employee contributions
• 15 days of paid vacation earned per year (starting)
• 12 days of paid sick leave earned per year (starting)
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• One paid personal day per year (8 hours)
• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents
• 125 Cafeteria Plans - Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Free Employee Assistance Program - 6 free counseling sessions per issue, per person in household
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457)
• Optional Aflac Plans including Accident, Short-Term Disability, Cancer, Hospital and Critical Illness
• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click to learn more and to understand your eligibility
• City paid continuing education, training and development (as approved by supervisor and City Manager)
• FMLA - up to 12 weeks of leave per year (rolling calendar year) available after working 1250 hours within previous 12 months and employed for 12 months for qualifying events
• Bereavement Leave - up to 5 paid days off for death of immediate family member
• Jury & Witness Duty Leave
• Military Leave
• 15% -20% discount on Verizon voice plans and select data plans
• T-Mobile exclusive offers with Work Perks - 15% off the Go5G Plus or Go5G Next rate plans
• Parks & Recreation After School and Summer Day Camp services provided at no cost to employees
• Whitefish Workforce Assistance Program - designed to help full-time and seasonal equivalent employees to successfully live and work in the Whitefish area by providing rental assistance - click to learn more and understand your eligibility.

APPLY BY: It is in your best interest to submit your online application, resume, and cover letter by the Priority Deadline, Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 5 pm. Review of applications will occur immediately after this date. This recruitment will remain open until filled. For assistance with online application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 406-###-#### or email ...@cityofwhitefish.org. EOE-AA-M/F-VET-DISABILITY GENERAL PURPOSE Performs customer service duties, including answering phones, receiving the public, providing customer assistance. Performs routine clerical duties, maintains customer accounts, water, and sewer billing functions, work order distribution, general clerical support, filing and data processing. Must work with City personnel, officials, and the public with a helpful attitude, cheerfulness, and diplomacy. Must be driven to provide first-class customer service. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the direct supervision of the Utility Services Supervisor or designated supervisor. SUPERVISION EXERCISED None. Job DutiesESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The list of tasks is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by the Utility Billing Customer Service Clerk. The following duties are typical for this classification and are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. It is expected that every employee should be on time, fully prepared, every day that the employee is scheduled to work. Performs customer service duties, including answering phones, receiving the public, and providing customer assistance. Responds to and resolves general inquires and complaints from citizens and other agencies regarding charges, delinquencies, refunds, and complaints relating to policies or procedures. Accepts all applications for utility accounts; checks applications and/or agreement for accuracy and creates a new account service order in the Utility Billing system and files. Maintains and monitors utility accounts including, but not limited to, researching and preparing adjustments, examining meter reading entries for evidence of irregular conditions, such as defective meters or use of service without contract, and prepares forms for corrective actions by others, and monitoring for illegal or fraudulent use of water or sewer services. Prepares and processes service orders for City services, but not limited to water turn-ons and turn-offs, water meter installations, meter tests, meter re-reads, and reports of leaks. Generates customer utility bills and collection letters, send out disconnection notices for accounts that are past due. Coordinates with field crew for the delivery of door hangers and the shut off water for nonpayment. Processes and posts utility payments from the City's online bill pay website and ACH payments to customer accounts. Prepares miscellaneous utility reports and special projects as required. Assist the Utility Billing Supervisor as needed. PERIPHERAL DUTIES When assigned, provides backup to related positions. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Desired Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience: A. Graduation from a high school or GED equivalent with specialized course work in general office practices such as typing, filing, accounting and bookkeeping, AND B. Two (2) years of increasingly responsible related experience, or any equivalent combination of related education and experience. Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Skilled in meeting and working with customers and co-workers in a business environment.

Ability to evaluate and analyze customer needs to provide exceptional customer service.

Ability to communicate effectively and clearly, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to handle stressful situations in a fast-paced environment and perform job duties with frequent interruptions.

Working knowledge of computers and electronic data processing; working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures; some knowledge of accounting principles and practices.

Skilled in operation of listed tools and equipment.

Able to perform duties accurately and efficiently while maintaining confidentiality.

Able to maintain regular job attendance and punctuality.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Must possess a valid State of Montana driver's license or have the ability to obtain one within three months. Supplemental InformationTOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED Phone system; networked computer system; personal computer including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Adobe, Outlook, etc.); copy machine; postage machine; fax machine; dispatch radio, calculator, other office related equipment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk or transport self; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is a municipal business office involving continuous contact with the general public, in person, by telephone, and by email. The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy. SELECTION GUIDELINES Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The City of Whitefish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. The City of Whitefish does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, creed, political idea, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or expression in its hiring or employment practices. The City of Whitefish provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Competitive wages
• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance
• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) or a medical deductible reimbursement program for those who choose the Bridger plan
• Montana Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) / Montana Municipal Police Officers Retirement System (MPORS) / Montana Firefighters Unified Retirement System (FURS) - includes employer and employee contributions
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457)
• Generous paid vacation and sick leave
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• One paid personal day per year
• Eligible to earn Compensatory Time (additional paid leave of 1.5 hours earned for each hour worked over 40 hours per week) for non-exempt positions
• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents
• Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DSA) 125 plans
• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click here to learn more and to understand your eligibility.