The City of Idaho Falls is accepting applications for a Utilities Supervisor. This position supervises the activities and the operations of the Utility Billing and Credit office. This position is responsible for ensuring that the utility operation is conducted efficiently and that billing and collection procedures are maintained on a timely basis. Performs complex and varied computer work in the billing and collection of utilities.
Essential Functions
Supervises trains and directs the activities of assigned staff; makes recommendations regarding hiring discipline termination or advancement of employees. Schedules employees assigns work and monitors progress; guides trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance. Keeps track of hours allowed within the budget of employees assuring overtime and regular hours do not exceed time budgeted. Attends or conducts a variety of meetings such as staff meetings and employee briefings.
Ensures proper billing of City utilities including electric sanitation water wastewater and fiber. Oversees billing activities on a daily basis from extracting the readings approving correct readings correcting errors with incorrect readings schedule the batch process for billing. Assists Idaho Falls Power Public Works and Information Technology division with any automated meter reading software troubleshooting updates and/or performance functions. Maintains and prepares monthly records indicating new services involving service size meter sets and size and services retired or shut off at connection. Oversees daily verification of service orders and new customer set-ups for account completeness and accuracy. Recommends to City Treasurer or in the absence of the City Treasurer the Municipal Services Director corrections changes and/or charges to customer accounts for review and approval. Processes utility billing and reconciles utility billing activity with the general ledger. Supervises the printing and mailing of utility bills according to established schedules including scheduling the sequence of printing of utility bills with data processing and resolving any production problems. Oversees adjustments and miscellaneous charges.
Reviews and processes credit balances on accounts for refund and deposit refunds as approved by the City Treasurer. Pursues collection of delinquent utility accounts. Monitors non-payment cut-offs. Reviews the final pre-bill and utility billing exception report and assures problems with bills are corrected.
Answers phone calls. Works cooperatively with Idaho Falls Power and Public Works to provide exceptional utility billing customer services. Deals with all customer services citizen visits concerning utility billing and difficult customer issues. Assures the utility business office provides prompt courteous service to customers and assures that customer complaints related to utility bills are satisfactorily resolved and that City ordinances are properly administered.
Maintains an understanding of all ordinances regulations procedures and City policies related to the City’s utility operations. Coordinates assigned activities and functions with other departments and outside agencies. Thoroughly and accurately prepares required financial reports regarding the utility operations and submits required reports consistent with established deadlines. Assists the Treasurer with reports and data necessary to the operation of the Treasurer’s Office. Assists the City Treasurer with preparation of the budget; collecting data organizing material conducting research and making recommendations.
Knowledge of the Cayenta utility billing software is essential to the reading of system generated utility service data historical consumption data to identify and determine billing irregularities. Assists Idaho Falls Power and Public Works staff in the investigation of meter tampering and power theft. Generates service orders to assist Idaho Falls Power and/or Public Works for meter replacement when needed. Identifies and implements better methods for meeting service demands through streamlining and improving work methods and communicates these requirements to the public and subordinate employees. Works closely with the Municipal Services Business Intelligence Analyst assigned concerning programs which refer to all aspects of this office. Orders all supplies necessary for the office within budgeted allowances.
Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Education and Experience:
A. Associates Degree in business administration or equivalent; AND B. Four (4) years progressively responsible experience in utility service work including two years of lead or supervisory experience; OR C. An equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of: Practices procedures and City ordinances related to utility billing Idaho Falls Power electric service policies Public Works water and wastewater policies. Utility billing procedures to assist in the coordination of customer service complaints and/or concerns. Daily operations and activities of high level customer service. Advanced bookkeeping of city utility service accounts. Personal computer and utility billing systems interpersonal communication skills verbal and written; and supervision. Government accounting principles and practices.
Ability to use standard office equipment computer equipment and software including word processing data base management spreadsheet applications and electronic mail. Utilize on-line utility billing functions and train others in proper procedures. Interpret understand and comply with complex laws ordinances regulations standards and guidelines. Prepare both written and oral reports. Communicate with various individuals. Handle complaints and difficult situations in a professional manner. Listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences. Exercise professionalism discretion and judgment in daily operations. Effectively supervise utility processes. Plan assign evaluate train and supervise the work of subordinates. Effectively coordinate assigned activities and functions with those of other divisions departments and outside agencies. Develop plan and implement goals and objectives for work unit and staff. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees vendors customers and the general public.
3. Special Qualifications:
Must possess a valid Idaho State Driver’s License.
Work Environment
Incumbent of the position performs in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities involving minimal muscular strain ability to lift up to 50 pounds for utility billing processes related to walking standing stooping sitting reaching and light lifting. Essential functions require talking hearing and seeing. Common eye hand finger dexterity are required. Mental application utilizes memory for details emotional stability discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Periodic travel required in normal course of job performance.
