This is advanced and responsible administrative and supervisory work in the billing and collection of delinquent retail accounts for the county water and sewer utility.

An employee in this class is responsible for supervising the work of subordinates engaged in the billing, reconciliation and maintenance of specialized accounts for volume water and sewer charges, damages committed by contractors, construction projects completed for other entities and septic tank dumping charges. Emphasis of the work is on providing guidance and administrative direction for specialized billing and collection activities. Responsibilities include developing and implementing credit and collection policies and procedures, analysis of accounts to determine acceptable payments, compilation of accounting data, and coordination of activities with other departmental operations. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment and professional knowledge of accounting and collection principles and practices. Supervision is exercised over professional and clerical personnel through review of records and reports for adherence to established principles, practices and procedures. General supervision is received from an administrative superior who reviews work for attainment of desired results, operational effectiveness and adherence to departmental standards and policies.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Plans, assigns and supervises the work of subordinate professional and clerical employees engaged in specialized billing and collection activities; assists with difficult or unusual problems; provides continuous training in work methods and procedures and in the application of local, state and Federal rules, regulations and laws.

Supervises and participates in the development and installation of new and revised accounting systems; develops and implements billing and collection policies and procedures; recommends changes in existing departmental rules, regulations and policies.

Supervises the determination of account collectibility; determines the percentage and amount for acceptable payments; approves payment schedules and financial arrangements; recommends the deposition of accounts.

Assists internal auditors and outside auditors in the examination of departmental accounting for specialized billing activities; initiates corrective action as a result of audit findings to improve financial operations, statements and controls.

Reviews collection schedules and prepares financial and statistical reports; compiles accounting and financial data for presentation as an expert witness.

Attends various meetings to coordinate special billing and collection activities with other departmental operations.

Makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of subordinates; authorizes leave and overtime; evaluates and rates employee performance.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of professional accounting principles and practices, office management, and the development, installation and maintenance of utility billing and collection systems.

Thorough knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and policies related to special billing and collection systems.

Thorough knowledge of the sources of information, accounting techniques and organization of information used in the preparation of fiscal reports, statements, schedules and summaries.

Thorough knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in the preparation of detailed and complex billing and collection documents.

Thorough knowledge of Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to financial records of the department.

Thorough knowledge of the legal provisions and proceedings which govern the collection of delinquent accounts.

Considerable knowledge of supervisory principles an practices.

Ability to supervise a large staff of professional, administrative and clerical employees in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to supervise the preparation of complete and accurate billing and collection documents of considerable complexity.

Ability to design, develop and supervise the implementation of billing and collection procedures, techniques and systems.

Ability to understand and interpret complex procedures and regulations related to the collection of delinquent accounts.

Ability analyze detailed billing and collection data effectively and arrive at equitable solutions in handling difficult accounts.

Ability to participate effectively in the formulation of departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, verbally in writing.

NEW 10-87