Customer Service Representative - Public Works

Distinguishing Characteristics of Work

This position involves extensive contact with the general public in receiving, investigating, and adjusting complaints of customers of the City water and sewers utility. Duties in this class involves responsibility for investigating and adjusting customer telephone complaints concerning water service and billing. Incumbents take applications for new service. This customer contact is of significance in utility public relations. Although work is performed in accordance with established policies, it is not supervised in detail and a considerable amount of independent judgment is frequently involved. General supervision is received from Customer Service Supervisor and usually consists of consultation and a review of reports.

Essential Examples of Duties

The following illustrates examples of some of the essential duties and responsibilities of the Customer Service Representative. There may be other essential functions, not listed below, in order to accomplish the tasks as presented by the Supervisor.

• Receives customer inquiries in the office or by telephone regarding high bills, low pressure, leaks in mains or lines, final bills, connecting or disconnecting of service, or refund of deposits;

• Processes call with tact and politeness.

• Resolves controversies of water bills.

• Estimates charges where defective or stopped meters are discovered.

• Collects delinquent water bills; explains department billing procedure and requirements for starting or terminating service.

• Performs a wide variety of clerical tasks in the office in maintaining records of customer contacts, checking bills for lack of payment, or maintaining service records.

• Accesses information by computer.

• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to learn departmental procedures regarding utility rates, credit procedures and billing practices, rules, regulations and policies.

• Ability to learn to read water meters, record readings, and perform simple arithmetical calculations accurately and quickly.

• Ability to apply general departmental rules and procedures to specific customer problems regarding billing or service.

• Ability to handle customer complaints tactfully, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public.

• Ability to keep records and prepare a variety of reports, either by hand or by computer.

• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish effectively.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The following are some of the physical requirements associated with this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made by the City to enable an individual to perform the essential duties/functions of the position.

• Must have ability to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, stand, hear, hands to finger dexterity, handle, feel or operate objects, read and write English.

• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office equipment; such as but not limited to a personal computer, calculator, copier and fax machines.

• Work is performed indoors within a quiet to moderately noisy environment.

• Must be able to lift, carry and or push articles weighing up to 20 lbs.

Minimum Training and Experience

• Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D. Equivalency Certificate.

• Must be bi-lingual in English and Spanish and have at least one (1) year experience working in a customer service environment.

• Sales experience does not constitute customer service experience for the purpose of qualifying for this position.

When claiming veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation.

IF YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND WISH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE FILL OUT AN EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION FORM WITH RESUME ATTACHED AND SEND VIA EMAIL TO HRRESUMES@HIALEAHFL.GOV OR SUBMIT IT IN PERSON TO THE CITY OF HIALEAH HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 501 PALM AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR, HIALEAH, FL 33010.

MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M

For any additional questions, please contact the City of Hialeah Human Resources Department at (305) 883-8050.