Account Representative

Do you have a desire to work with and for the public? Can you effectively research and investigate billing inquiries and related issues? Are you someone who not only enjoys being part of a team, but is also an independent and self-motivated worker? If so, the opportunity to be an Account Representative in the City of Kent's Finance Department may be just the job for you!

There is one full-time position available, represented by the AFSCME union. 
 

An unranked eligibility list may be established at the conclusion of the selection process.  This list would then be in effect for up to 12 months.

Please note that this is not a hybrid or remote position.
 

**You must attach your cover letter and resume to your application in order for your application to be considered complete.  Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application; you must attach documents in the appropriate section of the application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.  If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**
 

This position is open for applications through Sunday, November 16th.

SALARY:

$5,672.00- $6,901.00 per month, depending on experience

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

Additional information may also be found in the AFSCME contract, which you can access at Human Resources | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Customer Services Supervisor or designee, respond to customer inquiries by providing information and assistance to the public concerning utility bills, Local Improvement Districts (LlD), business licenses, and accounting activities; perform cashiering duties related to the receipt of permits, fees, bonds, and other monies paid to the City of Kent; record and balance monies received.

Work is characterized by customer service duties and responsibilities requiring substantial interpersonal contact in person or by telephone. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, accounting functions related to the receipting, balancing, and record keeping of monies received; resolving or referring customer questions on billing services; participate in the delinquent utility billing process; prepare service orders for final bills; receive, sort and distribute mail including UPS and Fed-Ex shipments and assist with processing of business license renewal and Business Occupation Tax data.

Work is performed under general supervision. The supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines; and assists the incumbent with unusual situations, which do not have clear objectives or precedents. The incumbent plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures, and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to practice and policy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide a full range of customer service activities by interacting with the public in person, by telephone, and through written correspondence.

Resolve or refer customer questions/complaints regarding utility billing services, LID activities, business licensing, cashiering, and related accounting functions.

Account for large sums of cash on a daily basis; receive, input, and reconcile payments for accounts receivable, utility billing, utility taxes, business licensing,

Assemble pre‑deposits, and other revenue reimbursements; balance cash drawer and prepare bank deposit daily.

Participate in the delinquent utility billing process by handling customer inquiries, making necessary payment arrangements and referrals, preparing mailers, processing turnoffs, etc.

Research and investigate billings and inquiries through computerized billing and/or GEO base systems including, but not limited to, billing adjustments, final bills, water usage, and property owner and other address verification.

Prepare service orders for final bills, field visits, occupant changes, and restarts and stops of utility services.

Organize and maintain utility billing customer filing system; scan documents into the imaging system for utility billing and business licensing within the Customer Services division.

Receive, sort, and distribute mail; process outgoing and incoming US Mail Services; assist customers with UPS, Fed-Ex and Bulk mail activities; receive office supply deliveries and other vendor shipments for City departments; respond to correspondence as necessary.

Assist in processing business license renewals and Business Occupation tax data within the Customer Services division.

Research and process returned checks as necessary.

Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL:

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Cashiering, general recordkeeping, and basic accounting principles and practices

• Rates and ordinances applicable to various utilities, public works, and other City services

• Municipal government policies, procedures, and structure; and applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances

• Correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job

BE SKILLED IN:

• Operating office equipment including, but not limited to, a cash register, ten-key, and computer

• Collecting, balancing, and recording monies received

• Performing a wide variety of clerical accounting duties

• Processing transactions accurately and in accordance with the law, City ordinances and policies, and established procedures

• Using effective telephone etiquette and interpersonal skills to deal with the public in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner even in sometimes hostile situations

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

• Apply modern office practices, procedures, and equipment including personal computers and related software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and accurately; compute rate, ratio, fractions and percent; and draw and interpret graphs and charts

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

• Maintain records

• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines

• Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to area of work

• Compose, proofread, and edit general correspondence and reports

• Apply common sense understanding to interpret and carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: High school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent, supplemented by some college level courses in business and financial record-keeping; and

Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible customer service experience involving substantial public contact and strong computer skills gained from experience working with Microsoft Office products.

Or: In place of the above requirement, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Multilingual desirable

• Completion of position relevant background check

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, fax and copy machines, calculator, projector, and cashier.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk and hear. The incumbent frequently is required to stand, walk, and type on keyboard for extended periods of time. The incumbent is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance on a step ladder or step stool to retrieve records and supplies; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The incumbent must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds or more with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an office environment with extensive public contact; the incumbent may be subject to multiple interruptions by phones and interoffice activities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to difficult, irate, or hostile customers. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.