Utility Account Clerk

SALARY: $21.69 - $31.91, Hourly (DOE&Q) NON-EXEMPT
OPENING DATE: 07/28/2026
CLOSING DATE: 08/03/2026 by 5:00 PM

JOB SUMMARY
In compliance with the City and departmental policies, provide a broad range of assistance to citizens and departments. The Utility Account Clerk will answer questions regarding utility services and monitor complaints through resolution. The Utility Account Clerk will assist with utility inquiries and provide other assistance as directed by the Utility Office Manager. Perform required and assigned duties in an efficient, effective, and confidential manner.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Utility Office Manager. May also receive direction from the Director of Utility Operations.

May exercise lead, functional or technical supervision over temporary staff or other Utility Billing/Collection employees as directed.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES – Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Assist Utility Account employees in all aspects of Utility Billing System software operations.

Perform required and assigned duties in an efficient, effective, and confidential manner.

Interact with customers and departments to discuss and resolve complex utility billing issues.

Coordinate and monitor complaint resolution with other departments.

Prepare a variety of correspondence, reports, memoranda and directives for the Utility Department and other statistical information.

Analyze problems and concerns in the Utility Service arena and develop reports/recommendations for resolutions.

Handle complex and sometimes controversial policies and procedures.

Respond and/or coordinate response to difficult and sensitive citizen complaints and requests for information. Manually calculate customer account information.

Assist the public over the telephone in a courteous manner in a wide range of areas.

Perform a wide variety of general clerical work, including, but not limited to, creating, and maintaining accurate and detailed records and files, verifying accuracy of information, directed research, analyzing discrepancies, preparation of documents and recording information.

Maintain mental capacity which allows the capabilities to:

• exercise sound judgement and rational thinking under stressful circumstances.

• evaluate various options and alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable course of action.

• prepare complex policies and recommendations.

• effectively train personnel.

• operate effectively in an economically and culturally diverse environment.

Maintain physical condition which will allow the capability to perform the following:

• walking, sitting, or standing for extended periods of time.
• moving loads of approximately 25 – 50 lbs.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception for:

• making observations
• reading and writing
• operating necessary and assigned equipment.
• communicating with others

Enter necessary data into the computer system for Utility Billing purposes.

Understand and execute oral and written instructions.

OTHER IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES :

Counsel and assist the public in preparing documents related to water and sewer taps. Sequence completed tap locations into the database of the Utility Billing System so that meters are identified for reading/service purposes.

Research issues and problems as required.

Maintain office and computer supplies.

Schedule and prepare routes on Radix ...Utility Management System...or equivalent on the personal computer. Schedule and issue water utility service work orders, turn-ons, terminations, service transfers, and leak adjustments. Enter completed required information into the computer systems.

Utilize Municipal utility billing software (HTE, or equivalent software program:)

• prepare and process meter reading edits on HTE/CIS.
• review and correct billing reports.
• review and correct and bill off/cycle billing.
• review and correct and bill final bills.

Prepare various letters, reports, etc., using designated computer programs.

Select, prepare work orders, and list of accounts to be locked or taken out.

Answer work orders when they are completed by the field persons.

Maintain customer data and meter information on utility accounts.

Dispatch work and resolve problems on 2-way base radio.

Operate printers, fax machines, bursters, microfilm machines, etc.

Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Business letter writing and report preparation.

Proper telephone etiquette and complaint handling techniques.

Modern office equipment includes, but is not limited to, typewriters, copiers, personal computers, calculators, printers, burster, and mailing coding (for bill preparation).

Principles of effective public relations and interaction with economically and ethnically diverse populations, community groups and agencies, private business and firms, and other levels of government.

Ability to :
Work effectively and harmoniously with co-workers and citizens.

Handle assignments with a minimum of direct supervision.

Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Maintain confidentiality in the performance of duties.

Perform mathematical operations and calculations.

Maintain and continue normal operations during periods of major software/hardware conversions.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way would be:

Experience :
Two (2) years of increasingly responsible clerical or para-professional experience in a billing/receivable/collections system, in a main-frame computer environment.

Training :
High School graduate or equivalent. Supplemented by additional training in the clerical or other related field at a post-secondary educational institution. Knowledge of basic telephone skills, basic book-keeping, basic office equipment, and municipal utility billing procedures is desirable.

License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate Texas driver’s license.

Utility Account Clerk – Utility Billing - #26-071.

CITY OF PORT ARTHUR
Attn: Hiring Manager
P.O. Box 1089
Port Arthur, Texas 77641-1089
(EEO/AA/V/F/RC/H)
The City of Port Arthur is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer