Billing and Collection Manager

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Under direction, the purpose of the position is to provide supervision and management to the City's utility and occupational licensing functions for the City. Position is supervisory over office customer service personnel and field meter personnel. Employees in this class manage all aspects of customer service in utilities accounting, from handling customer complaints to establishing services for annexations. Position maintains close contact with personnel in the field as well as in the office, and works collaboratively with supervisory personnel in various other departments in matters related to utilities installation work, data processing issues, and collections. Performs related work other related duties as required. 

• Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff: develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures.
• Supervises clerical and field personnel, ensuring accurate accounting of customer utility accounts, meter reading, and data processing.
• Supervises and manages processing connection fees, meter fees and deposits, delinquent payments, utility service orders, and occupational licenses.
• Handles individual customer complaints and requests unable to be resolved through personnel under charge; makes file adjustments to customer accounts as necessary.
• Analyzes various utility reports for the purpose of ensuring accuracy in charges assessed; evaluates reports printed from updates; takes corrective action to adjust billing or accounts where indicated.
• Provides information concerning billing and fee structures, delinquent payments, account status, occupational licensing procedures, and other related matters.
• Prepares and executes work and service orders for meter installations, connections, disconnections, change outs, and reinstallations.
• Manages occupational licensing functions; oversees/receives and reviews applications; ensures proper documentation; submits for approval; prints new licenses; and processes special licenses with appropriate department i.e., City dock for any type of business that is done on the water, like Jet ski, boat tours etc., and the Police department for solicitor permits.
• Initiates collections concerning delinquent customer accounts; sends certified letters warning that property will be liened in 15 days; prepares liens for properties that have not paid and where water has been off and locked; files lien paperwork with court; and works with collection agency to keep collection processing on track.
• Edits, posts, updates, and prints utility billing according to established billing cycles; balances various City and County accounts; prepares invoices for payment.
• Ensures enforcement for various City utility contracts; acts as liaison to assist other City departments in use of department accounting system.
• Prepares unit operating budget; orders office and operating supplies; monitors expenditures for budget compliance.
• Conducts internal audits of utility billing functions; modifies operating policy/procedure as needed.
• Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, H.T.E., word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
• Communicates with supervisor, other departments and city employees, customers, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

1. Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
2. Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a managerial capacity for a division or organizational unit. Includes the ability to make decisions on procedural and technical levels.
3. Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to start, stop, operate and monitor the functioning of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
4. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.
5. Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. May include counting, recording of counts, and basic measuring.
6. Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
7. Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related
• Minimum three (3) years progressively responsible experience in automated billing and accounting functions, preferably in municipal utility billing
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Possession of a valid Florida driver license, class "E" and maintenance of a driving record which meets or exceeds minimum City driving standards.

ADA COMPLIANCE:
Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but 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 work station.
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.
Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.