Billing & Metering Specialist

The purpose of this position is to perform specialized billing, metering, collections, and customer service tasks for Stoughton Utilities, including but not limited to preparation and distribution of daily and monthly utility billing statements, maintenance of customer billing and metering records, review of electric and water meter data, specialized customer service as it relates to municipal utility billing and collections, and general customer service as it relates to municipal utility operations and activities.

• Performs all tasks associated with the billing, metering, and collections activities within the Technical Operations Division. Establishes and maintains checklists and reports, reviews work performed for accuracy and effectiveness, assists in the scheduling of tasks, etc.
• Performs all tasks necessary to prepare and distribute accurate and timely billing statements for electric, water and wastewater service, and all other billed charges, including stormwater utility charges for the City of Stoughton. Performs all tasks necessary to ensure proper accounting and reporting of billed charges.
• Performs all tasks necessary to maintain accurate customer billing and metering information in the customer information system (CIS). Performs periodic account reviews for proper rate classifications and application of utility rate and rule tariffs, responsible parties, meter installation details, tax exempt status, and all other reviews necessary to ensure accuracy.
• Processes electric and water meter installations, removals, and replacements, and completes the records of such actions in the CIS and on customer accounts. Verifies all metering setups to ensure accuracy, including field verification as directed. Creates new accounts in the CIS upon completion of newly constructed metered services.
• Performs tasks associated with maintaining the utility’s water cross-connection control program, in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requirements. Collaborates with other division personnel to maintain program records, produce reports and statistics, and issue customer notifications.
• Works with the meter technician(s) to maintain the utility water and electric meter inventory, including the oversight of metering standardization programs, meter procurement and disposal, and inventory reporting.
• Performs all tasks associated with the collection of delinquent accounts, including customer outreach and notification, service disconnections, small claims court, and use of outside collection agencies. Maintains existing collection methods and policies, and reviews and implements recommendations for new methods and policies.
• Performs tasks associated with the annual fall disconnection verification and reporting in accordance with Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) requirements.
• Develops in-house training programs and technical support of the CIS. Participates in the training of other division personnel. Creates new and maintains existing CIS and metering procedures and instructional documentation. Maintains and expands the CIS and metering policies and procedures manuals.
• Maintains and prepares all systems used to obtain scheduled electric and water meter readings. Once obtained, reviews all meter readings for accuracy and processes readings for customer billings.
• Calculates the monthly Power Cost Adjustment Clause (PCAC), updates the CIS for billing purposes, and prepares monthly reports for power supply and regulatory purposes.
• Calculates account billing corrections, including back-billings and customer credits, and submits the calculations for approval and processing.
• Prepares explanatory letters and spreadsheets for customer and regulatory review. Maintains records of all corrections and supporting documentation, and submits annual report to the PSCW.
• Calculates, reviews, approves, and completes customer account corrections not related to billed charges, including payment adjustments, deposit refunds, late penalty reversals, balance transfers, and submits the corrections for processing.
• Maintains utility rate and rules tariffs. Updates rate information in the CIS and on the Stoughton Utilities website, and maintains physical copies of all tariffs for customer review.
• Prepares and processes customer applications for residential and commercial utility service, contractor applications for new and temporary service, work orders, complaint forms, meter change out forms and reports, letters and other communications to and from customers and property owners, and more.
• Prepares and issues reports, including but not limited to customer data, meter data, consumption statistics, financial statistics, trends and behavioral analysis, and inspection records, and reports findings to division supervisors, financial employees, third-party auditors, and regulatory agencies as directed. Creates/modifies customer reporting templates upon request.
• Receives written and verbal requests, inquiries, and…