Finance Representative - Utility Billing

The City of Bellingham is seeking a dynamic professional with a strong customer service background to join its Finance Department as a Finance Representative - Utility Billing. The ideal candidate will thrive in a detail-oriented environment, be comfortable working with numbers and data, and excel in a fast-paced office setting, all while contributing to the betterment of the community.

The Finance Representative position performs skilled financial services support and provides detailed customer service for internal and external customers of the Finance Department. Maintains service and account records in the City’s billing systems and prepares customer billings. Posts payments, billings, credits debits, adjustments and finance charges for customer accounts; performs database management and tracking and complex data entry. Identifies and resolves errors and discrepancies. Prepares financial information and performs reconciliations and analysis.  

Salary Information and Benefits:

This position will start at Step 1 ($25.75/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $25.75 - $31.04/hour. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. 

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 05/05/2025 4:30 PM Pacific Time  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Maintains service and account records for the City's billing systems; performs database management, complex data entry, reconciliations and analysis. Prepares customer billings; monitors billing, credits, debits and rates on individual accounts to assure compliance with departmental policies and procedures, ordinances and accounting requirements. 
2. Responds to customer inquiries and complaints regarding billings, adjustments, charges, NSF checks, refunds, delinquent accounts, and special credit arrangements. 
3. Posts payments, billings, credits, debits, adjustments and finance charges for accounts.  Identifies and resolves errors and discrepancies. 
4. Monitors delinquent accounts and reports to collection agency as needed. 
5. Prepares weekly text file for utility billings; reviews edit lists for accuracy, researches errors and resolves discrepancies.
6. Works closely with Public Works Department staff to maintain utility accounts: resolves service and billing problems, schedules and prepares billing and shut-off notices and coordinates delinquencies with Public works utilizing water shut off application. 
7. Creates new service locations and utility accounts. Coordinates service turn off and turn on requests based on work orders for initiation or termination of service. Verifies service fees for new utility services. 
8. Receives all utility billing mail returns. Researches inaccurate addresses and property ownership to update utility billing records.
9. Prepares monthly reconciliation for property tax revenues as assigned.

 

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Cross trains in other functional areas and serves as back-up as assigned. 
2. Provides customer service at the counter as needed to receive payments, answer inquiries, resolve account problems, etc.
3. Performs related recordkeeping, accounting support, or customer service duties as necessary.
4. Serves as backup cashier. Balances individual cash drawers and generates reconciliation documents and reports.
5. Prepares Finance Department documents for transfer to Archives as necessary.
6. Performs related work within the scope of the classification as assigned.

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

Work is performed primarily at a computer workstation in a busy office environment and includes a normal range of noise and frequent distractions. Work requires using a computer for extended periods of time.

Physical ability to perform required duties, including:

• Very frequent sitting;
• Frequent keyboarding, gripping and clicking mouse;
• Fine finger dexterity to manipulate computer keyboard, mouse, files and papers;
• Occasional standing, walking, bending and kneeling;
• Correctable visual acuity to read a computer screen and a typeset page;
• Ability to communicate verbally, in person and by telephone;
• Transport objects weighing up to 35 lbs.

• Two years of financial services support experience including use of computerized financial accounting systems. 
• Experience providing service to the public required. 
• Ability to operate a 10-key calculator by touch preferred.
• Ability to type 45 wpm preferred. 
• Completion of courses in bookkeeping and computerized record keeping software and systems including spreadsheets desirable.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along**
 
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City’s commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.
 
Application Review Process:

• Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating Applicant status will be updated on or around May 14, 2025.
• The top eight (8) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of May 27, 2025.

• If eight (8) or less candidates meet the minimum qualifications, the Oral Board Interview will be 100% of overall score. Candidates scoring a 60% or higher on the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list.
• If there are nine (9) or more applicants that meet minimum qualifications, the Experience and Training Rating will be 40% of overall score and Oral Board Interview will be 60% of overall score. Candidates scoring a 60% or higher on the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in the Finance Department. This position is represented by a union.  

If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214. 

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by 


Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40 ), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
 
Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment. 
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made. 
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied. 
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

Salary : $26 - $31