The City of Fort Myers strives to be an employer of choice and most of our employees turn jobs into long term careers. The salary shown in the job description is the full range for this position from entry to later career. NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE. FLSA Status: Exempt Safety Sensitive: No Level II Screening: No. Provide management with financial and operating statistics, reports, evaluations and analysis needed to make sound decisions, resolve problems, and improve the operating efficiency and effectiveness of the Utility Accounting Division. This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation:Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice. Non Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work. Perks and Benefits. Free city-paid employee health coverage, additional for spouse or family 3 weeks Paid Time Off (sick & vacation)13 paid holidays. Pension plan & optional Deferred Compensation City-paid life insurance. Optional Vision, Dental, and Disability Insurance. Tuition reimbursement. On-site Gym facility. And much more! Duties/ Responsibilities Develop and recommend office procedures, practices and policies. Prepare and analyze fiscal and performance reports, including but not limited to accounting reports, billing system audit, and edit and period end reports. Forecast operational needs and future requirements. Research and prepare responses to requests for information as needed. Investigate and research escalated customer service problems and complaints. Develop and maintain records for sub-metering and monitor compliance. Develop and maintain a tracking system for surety bonds and letters of credit posted by commercial customers in lieu of cash deposits; handle renewals and updates when required. Prepare preliminary operating budget for management's approval and monitor budget. Prepare revenue projections and forecasts for use by management, the City's budget office and the City's rate consultant. Review applicable ordinances and resolutions to ensure miscellaneous fees and charges are adequate to cover costs; ensure ongoing compliance with statutory requirements; and update policies and procedures as conditions change. Develop performance measurements and benchmarks to evaluate the Division's performance. Handle special projects and assignments requiring extensive research, analysis and collaboration to resolve problems and improve operating efficiency. Coordinate with City's MIS staff updates and enhancements to the Division's web page. Monitor meter-reading contract performance and initiate and manage contract renewals. This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace Performs other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Proficient in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database and accounting software. Knowledge of water, sewer and trash operations. Knowledge of customer billing and cash collection operations. Knowledge of basic fiscal management policies and principles. Possess strong problem-solving skills and is able to work independently. Skill to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Ability to interpret ordinances, statues, regulations and legal documents. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to operate necessary equipment, including personal computer, calculator, printer, copier, facsimile and other standard office equipment. Minimum Requirements Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university with a degree in related field. Accountant experience and/or training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for the degree. Three years' experience in utility operation or related work Physical Demands and Working Conditions This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed. Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching. Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility. Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction. Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers. Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely. Standing – for sustained periods of time. Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back. Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine. Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips. Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand. Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm. Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand. Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information. Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading. Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision. Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures. Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment. Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees. Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back. Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning. Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site. Work performed is primarily: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. WORK ENVIRONMENT Works in an office environment and sits for long periods of time May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays Contact with internal and external customers and the general public. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.