Financial Specialist - Public Utilities

Department: Public Utilities About Our Job Are you a customer-focused problem solver with a knack for finance and attention to detail? Join our team and make an impact serving county citizens through complex water/sewer billing and account support. In this dynamic role, youll handle specialized billing processes, provide exceptional customer service, and collaborate with multiple departments to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. Bring your skills, energy, and passion for service - apply today and be part of a team that keeps our community connected! Job Description: Process utility billing for residential, commercial, sewer, irrigation, and specialty account types using UMAX/Itineris CIS. Audit accounts for billing accuracy, rate structures, meter activity, and billing exceptions. Complete billing adjustments in compliance with utility resolutions, SOPs, and county policies. Monitor and resolve billing and meter read exception workflows to ensure accurate bill generation. Generate and process work orders for disconnects, reconnects, meter investigations, and account corrections. Review daily billing reports, batch processing, interface uploads, and billing calendar tasks. Investigate and respond to complex customer and vendor inquiries through phone, email, written correspondence, and in-person support. Assist with staff training, workflow documentation, SOP development, and coordination with billing vendors and internal departments. Generate and analyze monthly revenue, billing, consumption, and account reconciliation reports while researching and resolving financial anomalies Maintain utility records and compliance documentation, monitor delinquency and disconnect activity, support records retention, and assist with special Public Utilities projects. Update CIS utility rate tables for revised rate resolutions, process annual FOG hauler billing, and prepare fiscal year-end reports. Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. About You Minimum Qualifications An associate's degree from an accredited college/university in Accounting or Finance. -AND- Two (2) years of related experience in auditing procedures, inventory control, basic real estate, or bookkeeping / financial duties. -OR- A Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related area may substitute for the required experience. -OR- Year-for-year basis may substitute for the college degree. Preferred Qualifications: Two (2) years of government experience. Four (4) years of related experience in auditing procedures, inventory control, basic real estate, or bookkeeping / financial duties. Complete certifications or internal Workday-related courses. Expert skills in computer programs such as Microsoft Outlook (email, chat, scheduler), Word, Excel, SharePoint, E-Net, Naviline/Central Square, On Base, Amanda, Maximo, Electronic Filing Systems (EFS), and Works. Skilled in professionally assisting and responding to internal and external customers. About Everything Else Starting Pay Rate: $24.74/hour, based on experience. Employee Type: Regular (Budgeted) Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s). If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day: 1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents If your position requires a Florida Drivers License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Drivers License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above List B Documents.) 2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above List C Documents.) Benefits: Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information. Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms and classes at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!) A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County Many Voices, One Team. We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different. Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service internally and externally. A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353. Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance). Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace. Do you like leaving things better than you found them? We serve the greater good! Our team is here to make Sarasota the premier community to live, work and play! Sarasota has 37 miles of award-winning beaches, over 80 parks and 100 golf courses, and is known as the cultural capital of Florida with museums of art, theaters, an aquarium, botanical gardens and the annual international film festival. Unsurpassed beauty, rich cultural offering, diverse educational opportunities, wide-ranging recreational possibilities make Sarasota a great place to live and work! We believe in work-life balance with a generous leave plan. US News & World Report: Sarasota is No. 1 in Florida and No. 18 in the country for best place to live. We need YOU to help create wonderful experiences for residents and vacationing guests enjoying Sarasota! Apply today!