The City of Lincoln is hiring for the position of Account Clerk I/II/Senior within Utility Billing Division of the Finance and Administrative Services Department. This position will work with residential and commercial customers to process new utility accounts, respond to inquiries and explain procedures, process payments regarding utility billing and business licenses; as well as, be assigned to assist in processing water refunds.
- Account Clerk I: $3,551.85 - $4,759.82
- Account Clerk II: $3,915.91 - $5,247.70
- Senior Account Clerk: $4,317.29 - $5,785.58
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Account Clerk I
The Account Clerk I is the entry-level classification in the Account Clerk series. Positions in this class typically require little or no directly related work experience. Incumbents work under immediate supervision while learning to perform routine accounting duties. As experience is gained and familiarity with departmental and City-wide procedures increases, incumbents work under general supervision and perform more varied tasks with increasing independence.
This classification is alternatively staffed with Account Clerk II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level upon gaining the required experience and demonstrating the necessary proficiency.
Account Clerk II
The Account Clerk II is the journey-level classification in the Account Clerk Series. Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of accounting support functions with minimal supervision, including complex and technical assignments that require a deeper understanding of accounting principles and procedures. This level is distinguished from Account Clerk I by the greater scope of duties, increased technical knowledge, and greater use of independent judgment in applying established procedures.
Senior Account Clerk
The Senior Account Clerk is the advanced journey-level classification in the Account Clerk series. Incumbents are distinguished from Account Clerk I and II by the higher degree of responsibility, independence, and complexity of work performed. Senior Account Clerks handle the most difficult and technical accounting support functions, interpret and apply policies to unique and complex situations, and often serve in a lead capacity by training, guiding, and reviewing the work of lower-level Account Clerks.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED
The Account Clerk I receives general supervision from the Customer Service Supervisor, Accounting Manager, Finance Manager, or Director of Finance. Incumbents in this classification do not routinely exercise supervision.
The Account Clerk II receives general supervision from the Customer Service Supervisor, Accounting Manager, Finance Manager, or Director of Finance. May serve in a lead capacity by providing functional and technical guidance to other Account Clerks.
The Senior Account Clerk receives general supervision from the Customer Services Supervisor, Accounting Manager, Finance Manager, or Director of Finance. May serve in a lead capacity by providing functional and technical guidance to Account Clerks.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Essential functions include but are not limited to the following:
Account Clerk I/II
- Prepares and maintains a wide variety of financial records and information; utilizes automated financial systems and various word processing and spreadsheet programs to enter, store, and retrieve information; researches and gathers information from multiple sources for the completion of forms and preparation of reports; provides information in person and over the phone to the public, other governmental agencies and City staff, requiring the use of judgment and interpretation of policies, rules, and procedures.
- Maintains accounting records; reconciles transactions; processes, enters, and verifies numerical or financial data related to area of assignment; handles payments at the counter and provides receipts; and performs a wide range of Account Clerk duties.
- Assists other accounting personnel in performing a wide variety of technical accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance and processing of accounting records and financial transactions including accounts payable, accounts receivable and utility billing.
- Processes City expenditures according to established policies and procedures; maintains vendor database and purchase order files; receives and verifies all invoices from vendors; responds to department and vendor questions and inquiries; researches and solves accounts payable issues.
- Processes and maintains customer utility billing for water, sewer and refuse for all residential and business/commercial customers; processes new customer applications for utility services; accepts payments for utility services, various licenses, permits and fees; explains utilities billing, business license procedures and other regulatory policies to customers; processes and updates billing charges to customer accounts; monitors and notifies customers of delinquent account status; research and solve billing inquiries and adjust accounts if necessary.
- Prepares periodic and special reports as required, performs special projects and studies; collects and compiles statistical and financial data for special reports.
- Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
Senior Account Clerk
- Prepares and leads the maintenance of a wide variety of complex financial records and information; utilizes and provides guidance in the use of automated financial systems and various word processing and spreadsheet programs to enter, store, and retrieve information; researches and gathers information from multiple sources for the completion of forms and preparation of reports; provides information in person and over the phone to the public, other governmental agencies and City staff, requiring judgment and interpretation of policies, rules, and procedures.
- Maintains accounting records; reconciles transactions; processes, enters, and verifies numerical or financial data related to area of assignment; handles payments at the counter and provides receipts; may serve in a lead capacity over staff performing the full range of Account Clerk duties.
- Prepares accounts payable batches for entry and revision; verifies accuracy and reconciles financial data to accounts payable statements; processes accounts payable disbursements; receives and inputs special accounts payable batches for manual checks as needed; responds to department and vendor inquiries; researches and resolves accounts payable issues.
- Receives and reviews invoice payments for accuracy, proper authorization, and account coding; reconciles payments with accounts payable invoices and research discrepancies; records accounts receivable transactions.
- Receives and processes general cash receipt payments, ensuring accuracy, proper documentation, and timely deposit.
- Serves in a lead capacity for processing and maintaining customer utility billing for water, sewer and refuse services for all residential and commercial customers; processes new customer applications for utility services; receives payments for utility services, licenses, permits, and fees; explains utility billing and regulatory policies to customers; updates billing charges to customer accounts; monitors and oversees the notification delinquent accounts; researches and resolves billing inquiries; and adjusts accounts as necessary.
- Prepares periodic and special reports as required; performs special projects and studies; gathers and compiles statistical and financial data for reporting purposes.
- Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in data entry and preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work-related documents. Requires acute hearing and clear effective communication in person and over the phone. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.
KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS
The following are a representative sample of the KAS’s necessary to perform essential duties of the position. The level and scope of the knowledge and abilities listed below vary between the I and the II levels.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of financial record keeping, bookkeeping and governmental and fund accounting; basic principles and practices of account payables and receivables; standard business arithmetic as applied to accounting technical support; methods and techniques of cash management; data entry, data base access and standard report generation; public relations techniques and procedures; basic principles of mathematics; applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations; methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments; standard office procedures, practices and equipment; modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling and grammar; occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Ability to: Prepare, maintain and reconcile various complex financial, accounting, billing and statistical records; make arithmetic and statistical calculations quickly and accurately; implement, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; read, interpret and record data accurately; organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; analyze a complex issue, and develop and implement an appropriate response; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships and at the Senior level direct personnel.
Skill to: Operate standard office equipment including a computer and variety of word processing and software applications; operate automated billing and financial systems.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
The process may include an in-basket exercise, individual interviews, panel interviews and/or other related components. Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to the process. The candidate selected for the position will be required to complete a background check including reference checks, fingerprint check, medical/drug-test evaluation and/or other related components.
Human Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise HR of any special needs a minimum of five days in advance of the selection process exam by calling (916) 434-3229. The City of Lincoln is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
