Water sewer billing control clerk

Job Description

Primary purpose:

The Water & Sewer Billing Control Clerk for Public Works is responsible for processing the billing function of the city-wide water, sewer and stormwater bills of the Utilities Division. They are responsible for troubleshooting billing problems, assisting the public with their inquiries, coordinating special meter readings, answering telephone and email inquiries and related duties. They administer annual programs such as water bill payment plans and lead service replace program loans. Responsibilities include providing backup to the Supervisor of Water Billing, as needed.

Supervision:

Supervision Received : Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration, DPW, the Water & Sewer Billing Control Clerk works under the direction of the Supervisor of Water Billing. The employee is expected to attempt to resolve conflicts which arise and coordinate with other DPW and City of Newton staff as necessary.

Supervision Given : The Water & Sewer Billing Control Clerk for Public Works will assist the Billing Control Clerk with daily activities. They will at as a resource to assist with any issues the Billing Control Clerk is unable to resolve. They will assist with training the Billing Control Clerk on Water & Sewer Billing proedues.

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed 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.)

• Coordinates W&S billing procedures, verifying and ensuring the accuracy of all administrative and billing information.
• Plans, schedules and supervises the operation of the unit to ensure that correspondence such as emails and voicemails is addressed in a timely manner. Schedules office coverage of lunches and breaks so the walkup counter remains open to the public.
• Coordinates with vendors to ensure that utility bills are printed and mailed to Newton residents.
• Processes water and sewer service work orders for meter installations, swaps and repairs.
• Processes hydrant meter deposits and refunds. Prepares flow test deposits and coordinates with the Treasury Department when necessary.
• Processes resident abatements as approve by the Director of Finance and Administration.
• Coordinates with the Treasury Department to resolve property lien issues.
• Processes manhole account and service bills monthly.
• Processes backflow test billing on a monthly basis.
• Coordinates City of Newton elderly discount program and renewal procedures with the Assessing Department.
• Attends and participates in staff and other meetings.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications:

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. We encourage all candidates who feel they are capable of successfully performing the responsibilities as outlined in this position description, regardless of the qualifications listed below to apply.)

Education, Training and Experience :

Bachelor’s degree and one to three years of related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of computer science and basic accounting, and a variety of office procedures. Experience in the use of office equipment, computers, and software packages, data processing and word processing.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge: Breadth of knowledge in the fields of public works, water and sewer operations, construction, engineering and other related fields. Demonstrated supervisory knowledge and experience in a unionized working environment. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of relevant city, county, state and/or federal statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes, regulations, administrative orders, etc. related to the water and sewer billing function.

Ability: Ability to meet and deal with the public in a tactful and effective manner. Ability to handle problems and emergencies effectively. Ability to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and demands. Ability to maintain, manage, and organize records, projects, etc. in a detailed and accurate manner with attention to detail and within a prescribed amount of time. Ability to deal appropriately with city employees, city officials and disgruntled members of the public. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders who have business with the city. Ability to communicate in oral and written forms in a clear and concise manner.

Skill: Excellent organizational and personnel management skills. Excellent data processing skill in the use of personal computers and office software including word processing, data base and spreadsheet applications. Expertise in public sector policies, regulations and funding mechanisms. Skilled in assessing, analyzing, identifying and implementing solutions to problems. Skilled in motivating staff to accomplish departmental goals and objectives and assist community members.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings. Occasional travel within the region may be required. Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, Executive Office Leadership, City Council and vendors/service providers. Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion and professional office protocols.

Physical skills and effort

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 - 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Work may require some agility such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain.

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, and sorting. Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Please note that the posted salary range is not necessarily the hiring range. The starting salary typically falls within the first few steps of the posted salary range. The starting salary is influenced by relevant qualifications, and where applicable, by collective bargaining agreement.

Company Description

THE CITY:


The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.



OUR GOVERNMENT:


Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.



AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing [email protected].

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees