Finance Technician - Utility Billing

Finance Technician Utility Billing

Under the direction of the Finance Supervisor Utility Billing, the Finance Technician Utility Billing monitors delinquent accounts and notifies customers of potential actions taken to collect, including discontinuance of service, placing a lien on a property, or submission to collection agencies. Duties include tracing and notifying property owners of delinquent accounts, compiling reports relating to collection work, processing special assessments to the annual tax roll, and researching bankruptcy notifications; performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Processes liens, bankruptcies, and collection of delinquent utility accounts.
• Researches property ownership for account accuracy and responsible parties.
• Processes and records liens and lien releases.
• Prepares delinquent notices and final bills.
• Performs administrative detail work, maintains appropriate records, and provides owner/customer notifications and staff reports for delinquent tax processes.
• Reconciles lien receivables monthly and prepares year-end adjustments.
• Maintains and completes monthly processes, ensuring accuracy.
• Coordinates the preparation of data and records for general and utility billing processes.
• Investigates billing irregularities and carries out necessary resolutions.
• Leads contract renewal and RFP process with collection agencies.
• Prepares routine reports and a variety of related manual and clerical duties.
• Works effectively under timelines and significant workload.
• Utilizes computer software programs competently.
• Operates a variety of office equipment, including computer software applications, scanners, photocopiers, and printers.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:

High school diploma or GED supplemented by thirty (30) college semester units in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field and three (3) years of experience in utility billing; or successful completion of the City of Victorville Internship Program. Public agency experience is preferable. Notary experience is desirable. An additional thirty (30) college semester units in Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required work experience.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles, methods, and practices of financial and customer account record-keeping work
• Customer billing and collection of account records, data entry, and basic auditing
• Accounting principles, procedures, and terminology
• Methods of project management to meet deadlines
• Personal computer operation and related software applications, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, e-mail, and web-based communication tools
• MUNIS financials
• Research techniques, methods, and procedures
• Effective telephone techniques and etiquette
• English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic mathematical principles
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including software and database programs
• Administrative techniques, including principles of organization and budgeting

Skill and ability to:

• Provide efficient customer service
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Use Excel to create/modify reports, formulas, spreadsheets, etc.
• Organize with the ability to prioritize work and exercise independent judgment, wisdom, common sense, and initiative
• Use initiative, discretion, and judgment within established procedures, guidelines, and rules
• Thoroughly carry out oral and written instructions
• Understand and interpret basic policies and procedures
• Prepare material and equipment specifications in accordance with established procedures and formatting
• Perform difficult and responsible administrative duties involving use of independent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality
• Perform complex mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy
• Utilize methods used in financial and statistical record-keeping
• Operate a computer, calculator, and other office equipment
• Prioritize and schedule workload to ensure completion when faced with deadlines or emergencies
• Use patience, tact, and courtesy in dealing with vendors and other stakeholders
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including City and other government officials, community groups, vendors, and the general public
• Define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Apply safe work practices

Physical Demands & Working Environment

(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations)

This position works primarily in an indoor office and warehouse environment, in close proximity to other workers. Incumbents shall be exposed to those conditions normally encountered in a business office environment. Positions in this class typically require balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions with or without reasonable accommodation. Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of workday), and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of workday), and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of workday) to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. Incumbents must be able to communicate verbally and in written form with great facility and must be able to be understood. Incumbents must have the ability to work long hours and overtime, if necessary, and must be willing to work an irregular schedule, which may include weekends, holidays, evenings, and/or varying shifts

Benefits

SALARY: Employees typically start at Step 1 of the established salary range for their classification. Salary ranges are subject to the City's approved salary schedule and applicable salary adjustments. Part-time employees are generally hired at an hourly rate and are not eligible for City benefits or merit-based salary increases.

VACATION: Paid vacation is earned by full-time, non-represented employees based on years of full-time City of Victorville service:

• 05 years: 80 hours annually
• 610 years: 120 hours annually
• 1115 years: 160 hours annually
• 16+ years: 200 hours annually

Vacation is accrued each pay period. Employees may accumulate vacation up to the applicable maximum accrual, which ranges from 160 to 400 hours, depending on years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Full-time, non-represented employees accrue 96 hours of paid sick leave annually. Part-time employees are eligible for up to 40 hours of paid sick leave, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.

HOLIDAYS: Eligible full-time employees receive 14 paid holidays per year, consisting of 13 designated holidays plus one floating holiday. The floating holiday may be taken after six months of service. Employees required to work on an approved holiday may be eligible for premium holiday pay at one-and-one-half times their regular rate of pay, subject to applicable eligibility and scheduling provisions.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: Medical, dental, and vision coverage is available to full-time employees and their eligible dependents. Effective July 1, 2026, the City provides a $1,200 monthly fringe benefit toward medical, dental, and vision coverage. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who have qualifying out-of-pocket premium costs may also be eligible for a City subsidy of 50% of the total out-of-pocket cost, up to an additional $1,200