JOB INFORMATION

Non-exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; full-benefits

This position is predominately customer service oriented and is responsible for all aspects of billing activities for water and/or sewer accounts, for assisting the public with billing-related information, and for performing a variety of clerical duties to support the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities. Supervision is received from the Billing Supervisor and/or the Divisional Finance Manager.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain customer and billing files by updating account information and generating quarterly bills for residential and commercial accounts, as well as generating daily bills for property transfers, administering Third Party Agreements, service line leak adjustments and processing refunds as appropriate
• Respond to telephone callers; provide customer service for billing inquiries and troubleshoot various billing issues
• Research account/property history to assure accurate and timely billing
• Resolve billing issues for companies, developers, and residential customers
• Assist in the transfer of deeds, verifying that all DWSU charges have been paid
• Compose and prepare correspondence, memorandums and other written documents
• Maintain accounting files and records
• Perform clerical duties such as photocopy, fax, update records/files, email, etc.
• Work in cooperation with the Meter Maintenance Department concerning meter readings and discrepancies
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• 
  High school graduation or equivalent
• Minimum 1 year of work experience in accounts receivable and/or billing work experience
• Minimum 1 year of customer service (phone and in person) and problem-resolution work experience
• Intermediate skills in the use of MS Office Word and MS Office Excel
• NOTE: An Associate's degree or higher earned in Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field may substitute for the 1 year work experience requirement

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Strong and effective clerical and math skills including the ability to review and analyze detailed statistical data, to accurately compile and maintain records, and to prepare clear, concise and accurate reports and correspondence
• Strong records-management skills including the ability to review documents, identify/detect potential problems and document their resolution in a thorough and timely manner
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, especially telephone skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to remain calm, listen, understand a customer’s concerns, and then determine the appropriate course of action to resolve the issue with a positive, helpful attitude.
• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, business professionals and the general public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field
• Work experience in a utility billing setting and/or account resolution in a call center environment
• Work experience using computerized billing system(s)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit and perform repetitive motions; and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds and reach
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Available for additional work hours, when needed to accommodate office workflow

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):
1) An evaluation of training and experience
2) Related testing
3) One or more interviews
4) A pre-employment physical examination and drug test

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.