THE POSITION
The City of Ventura Water Department is looking for a
Utility Billing Specialist - Senior Utility Billing Specialist to join the team. We are seeking detailed oriented candidates who are dedicated to meeting customer expectations and requirements. This is a great entry level position for candidates with customer service experience and customer billing, clerical accounting experience or college level coursework in accounting, finance, business administration or the like.
WHAT YOU’LL DOReporting to the Utility Billing Supervisor, the
Utility Billing Specialist - Senior Utility Billing Specialistis key to providing front line customer care and accounting work to Ventura Water customers daily. This team member handles a high volume of customer inquiries from open to close and is responsible for providing information and assistance to the public by phone, mail, and computer. Additionally, this Utility Billing Specialist performs detailed clerical work, maintaining water and wastewater billing accounts and processing billing.
Utility Billing Specialist is the entry-level class in the utility billing series. At this level, Specialists are expected to perform the more routine and less complex customer care and maintenance of customer accounts related to utility billing while receiving technical and functional direction and training. Positions are flexibly staffed, and Utility Billing Specialists are expected to advance to the Senior Utility Billing Specialist classification upon obtaining the required experience and demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions.
Senior Utility Billing Specialist is the journey-level class in the utility billing series. This class performs the full range of customer care and maintenance of customer accounts in support of utility billing. Senior Utility Billing Specialists work with occasional instruction/assistance and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. They may provide lead direction over the Utility Billing Specialist and are normally filled by advancement from the Utility Billing Specialist level.
WHO YOU AREIf you have the desire to join a dedicated team of customer service professionals, this position may be for you! If through education, training and/or experience, you:
- thrive on providing responsive support to first-hand customer inquiries daily,
- read situations quickly, stepping up to handle difficult customer situations,
- eliminate roadblocks to handle multiple priorities while maintaining professional composure,
- excel at the review of data for accuracy, identifying errors or problems,
- then you are an ideal candidate for this position.
Currently, there is one full-time position available. This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies.
MORE INFORMATIONFor additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs or by clicking here
Utility Billing Specialist - Senior Utility Billing Specialist Utility Billing Specialist - Senior Utility Billing Specialist titles are pending City Council approval.
THE SCHEDULE This recruitment will follow the below timeline.
- Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 5:30 pm - Application Deadline. Applications must be submitted by this date to be considered for the position.
- May 27, 2024 - Candidates will be notified by email of their status by this date.
- Week of June 3, 2024 - Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email if they are invited to the panel interview process.
- Week of June 17, 2024 -Department Selection Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email if they are invited to the panel interview process.
- July 1, 2024 - Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the interview by this date.
The timeline dates are subject to change. Candidates will be notified as necessary.
SALARY AND BENEFITS The City offers a total compensation package that includes both a generous salary and other benefits!
- SALARY: $24.64 - $29.96Hourly DOQ
- BENEFITS: Refer to the benefits tab on the job posting for specific information on City benefits.
HOW TO APPLY To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete an online City Job Application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline,
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 5:30 pm.
If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov .
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO QUALIFY A combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to completion of high school and one year of customer service experience,
including some customer billing or clerical accounting experience. Additional financial and/or statistical record keeping experience or college level course work in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field is highly desirable.
In addition,
Senior Utility Billing Specialist requires one year of experience equivalent to that of an Utility Billing Specialist with the City of Ventura, or two years of customer service experience, including customer billing or clerical accounting experience and maintaining financial and/or statistical records. Prior experience with a public agency is highly desirable. Additional specialized training or college level coursework in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field is highly desirable.
License: Possession of a valid California driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS
YOUR APPLICATIONSubmit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline or first review date at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs . It is important that your City job application shows all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 5:30 pm. APPLICATION REVIEW: All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.
INTERVIEW DATES AND INFORMATION:
A select number of candidates will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process that is tentatively scheduled for the
Week of June 3, 2024. Select candidates will be notified of specifics after the filing deadline.
The department selection interviews are tentatively scheduled for the
Week of June 17, 2024. Candidates selected to move forward will be notified.
The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.
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In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov .
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Ventura operates under the Council/ Manager form of government under a charter adopted by voters in 1934, with an elected seven-member City Council. This full-service municipality is supported by 11 major City departments: City Manager, City Attorney, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Community Development, Parks & Recreation, Fire, Police, Public Works, and Ventura Water. The City’s Adopted FY 2023/2024 Operating and Capital budget totals approximately $428.8 million. The City Council and the City Manager are dedicated to the highest standards of integrity, public service, and innovative approaches to governing.
To learn more about the City of Ventura, please visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov and view the FY2023-24 Adopted Budget.
CITY OF VENTURA The City of Ventura is located just north of Los Angeles County and south of Santa Barbara County and is frequently considered one of America’s most desirable places to live. The City is a full-service municipality that was founded in 1782, incorporated in 1866, and serves nearly 110,000 residents within its 32 square miles. With nearly 700 employees, the City is dedicated to delivering key services to our businesses, residents, and visitors to ensure Ventura remains a fiscally stable, economically vibrant, safe, clean, and desirable community.
Locals and visitors enjoy Ventura’s impressive park system that includes 32 parks and historic sites, and more than 800 acres of open green space. The City offers a remarkable year-round climate, friendly people, and a spectacular coastline. Ventura is an exciting location for a variety of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, sailing, surfing, whale watching and windsurfing. Other activities include the Channel Islands National Park, championship golf, world-class shopping, wine tours, and more. Learn more about the City of Ventura at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSIONThe City of Ventura values human rights, goodwill, respect, inclusivity, equality, and recognizes that the City derives its strength from a rich diversity of thoughts, ideas, and contributions. As leaders in public service, we aspire to be an employer of choice by promoting an organizational culture that reflects these core values. We seek to attract, develop, and retain a talented and dedicated workforce where people of diverse races, genders, religions, cultures, political affiliations, and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that empowers our employees to provide the highest level of service to our community of residents and businesses; they’re counting on us.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!
Employment Information: Right to Work : Before employment candidates must submit documentation verifying legal right to work in the United States.
Background Check : A pre-employment verification of background, references, and medical examination will be conducted. A drug screening may be required for some positions. Applicants for positions using City vehicles may be required to submit a DMV report.
Probationary Period : Twelve months
Deferred Compensation: $442 per year will be matched in a 457 Plan.
Medical & Dental Insurance: Up to $691 monthly towards a selection of plans. Medical and dental insurance is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.
Optional Benefits: $469 monthly, applied toward medical insurance premiums. Cash-out option is not available.
Vision Insurance: City paid coverage for employees and dependents. Vision insurance is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.
Life Insurance: City paid term life insurance equal to the employee's annual salary, and dependent life insurance of $2,000 per dependent.
Disability Insurance: City paid short and long-term disability coverage.
Retirement: Tier I - 2% @ 55/Single Highest Year of Compensation for Classic CalPERS members who worked for the City prior to December 31, 2012 and are returning to City employment. Employees make a 7% member contribution, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC.
Tier II - 2% @ 60/3-Year Final Compensation Period for Classic CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS'-reciprocal agency. Employees make a 7% member contribution, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC.
Tier III - 2% at 62/3-Year Final Compensation Period for New CalPERS members. Employees make a 6.25% member contribution, and are subject to compensation limits per Government Code Section 7522.10. Additional details regarding the City's retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process.
Social Security: CalPERS members do not participate in Social Security retirement. Receiving a CalPERS benefit may affect your social security upon retirement. For further information contact a Social Security office or www.socialsecurity.gov/form1945 .
Medicare: Employees participate only in the Medicare portion of Social Security. There is a 1.45% payroll deduction for this benefit.
Annual Leave: 14.5 days per year, increasing to 24.5 days after 15 years service, for vacation or sick leave. Employees may use vacation after successful completion of probation.
Personal Leave: 27 hours per calendar year.
Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
Winter Holiday Break:18 hours of Winter Optional Holiday time. City Hall closure December 25th to January 1st.
Part-Time Benefits: Regular part-time employees receive insurance, optional benefits, vacation, holidays, sick leave and disability programs proportionate to their regular work hours.
Tuition Reimbursement: $2,500 per year for tuition and books for courses taken at accredited institution after completion of probation.
Student Loan Forgiveness: The City currently qualifies as an eligible employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Direct Deposit: Paychecks are automatically deposited to employee accounts.
Flexible Workweek: A 9/80 workweek is available for some positions.
Wellness Program: A comprehensive program is available, including on-site gym, exercise classes, downtown/beach walking routes, weight loss, and tips on nutrition and healthy lifestyle.
Professional Development: The City of Ventura is a LinkedIn Learning organization. LinkedIn Learning online classes are available with a library of more than 13,000 courses taught by real-world experts. Users can download certificates and customize learning paths that match their roles and competencies.
Closing Date/Time: 5/21/2024 5:30 PM Pacific
