Senior Accounting Clerk

Salary Range

4,917.00 - 6,286.00 Job Summary

As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, great leadership and working with an engaged community. Our growth is guided by our core values of livability, sustainability and resiliency, innovation, and equity and inclusion, and we accomplish our work through collaboration, innovation, compassion and empowerment.

If who we are speaks to you, and if you're the type of person who is interested in joining a team invested in planning for the future of Vancouver services then the City of Vancouver may be for you.

We're currently recruiting for a Senior Accounting Clerk. Responsible for all aspects of utility billing, cash management, daily reconciling of utility account transactions and the handling and processing of collections for delinquent accounts to ensure highest collection rate possible. Anticipate, identify, and resolve problems in the Utility accounting operations, assist others with questions that involve researching and providing data to explain policies, procedures, and regulations. Maintain programs that are critical to daily operations of the Utilities Department. Research and process complicated account related records and compare statistical data. Detail potential issues and provide resolutions. Monitor and support the operations dispatch and emergency lines.

This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. This position is covered under the provisions of an agreement between the City and the OPIEU union. The schedule for this position is M-F, 7am to 4 : 30pm or 8am to 5pm.

This is an internal only posting and open to current City of Vancouver employees who have passed their initial probationary period. Job Details

Essential Functions :

• Establish and maintain all utility accounts for the city. Research Clark County Property Information and business license to determine correct property ownership, parcel identification, utilities provided, and permits issued for all new utility accounts and ensure proper fees have been collected.
• Schedule, upload / download and audit files from outside vendors and internal departments. Reconcile all discrepancies and exceptions prior to generating billing statements for water, sewer and storm drain services and all applicable fees
• Initialize, review and upload files from outside vendors. Reconcile all discrepancies & exceptions prior to generating billing statements.
• Process, research, post and reconcile all internal and external utility payments. Accurately tabulate, record, and balance assigned transactions
• Assist customer service personnel as needed with utility related requests, resolve customer complaints, and provide support answering incoming operations calls. Screen, schedule, and delegate to responsible departments requests received from citizens and emergency personnel regarding concerns and safety hazards.
• Research and compile detailed account information regarding status of service, outstanding balances, processes, procedures and applicable laws and regulations at the request of internal departments, customer and outside agencies via phone and written correspondence.
• Collect on outstanding utility accounts through standard collection practices; including cold calling, invoicing, determining legal liability to process liens, researching property ownership, and utilizing skip tracing and processing bankruptcy filings, dismissals, and discharges.
• Establish and maintain specialized programs offered by utilities, such as H2O and Senior Low Income, and coordinate services with outside agencies to maintain status of qualified H2O recipients.
• Review for accuracy and process all utility account adjustments, refunds, and fiscal and statistical information from internal and external interfaces. Reconcile accounts to the general ledger and reports while maintaining subsidiary ledgers, registers, and journals.
• Maintain a variety of financial records and files
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

Experience :

Education :

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

Knowledge

Abilities

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, a basic criminal background check and a credit check

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you'll consider joining us on the journey!

Diversity and Inclusion : At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement : The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans' Preference : Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans' preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation : Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process.

Job Posting End Date

February 12, 2025