Utilities Business Officer

Franklin County (NC)

Youngsville, NC

Franklin County is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Utilities Business Officer to support the financial and administrative operations of our Public Utilities Department. In this key role, you’ll help manage billing, customer accounts, and essential business processes that keep our services running smoothly and efficiently for the community.

Compensation:

Estimated Hiring Salary Range: $72,173-$75,782
**To Be Determined Based on Experience and Qualifications**

Benefits:

Franklin County offers a competitive benefits package designed to encourage and support your health, well-being and productivity. Benefit options include medical and dental insurance; elective supplemental insurance options such as short-term disability, vision, and voluntary term life; local government retirement; 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution (no employee match required); generous paid leave that includes 13 county-observed paid holidays per year; an employee wellness program inclusive of a county sponsored gym and an employee assistance program.
For more information about Franklin County benefit options please clickhere.

An employee in this class is responsible for the daily operations of the Business Services section of the Public Utilities Department. Employee has responsibility for the organization and supervision of utility billing, collections, and accounting functions within the Business Services section of the department. Employee performs and supervises specialized accountant level work in recording financial transactions, periodic reporting required by the County’s Finance Department, periodic reporting required by the State, periodic reporting of system analysis, reconciling subsidiary ledgers and general ledger for all funds in the Public Utilities Department. The employee must exercise judgment and initiative in identifying and resolving the daily problems and activities of the financial, billing and collections systems. Work is performed in accordance with established professional standards, local ordinances and North Carolina General Statutes governing the responsibilities of local government fiscal operations. Employee works under the supervision of the Assistant Public Utilities Director and is evaluated through conferences, demonstrated accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of related reports, the completeness of balanced accounts, and by independent audits of financial records.

Supervises the maintenance of all department financial accounts for the Administrative Operations Division and the Systems Operations Division which include the following sections (business services, infrastructure services, water production, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment); assists in preparing budget estimates; provides oversight for depositing monies; reviews a variety of transactions and procedures for the department;
Supervises accounting personnel, customer service personnel, and utility billing personnel;
Supervises the daily activities of utility billing, billing operations, and reporting;
Supervises the daily activities of accounting and purchasing;
Supervises the daily activities of customer service, receivables, and deposits;
Enforces internal control procedures and ensures safeguards are in place and adhered to;
Evaluates operational procedures under their supervision and makes recommendations for revisions to policies and procedures;
Supervises the preparation and prepares requisitions for all supplies, materials, equipment, contract work, and services; assists with various bidding and procurement processes;
Ensures all department expenditures adhere to pre-audit requirements;
Maintains departmental inventories for vehicles and equipment.
Supervises the processing of timesheets, confirms leave balances, and tracks overtime pay; prepares personnel action forms as directed;
Prepares technical, informational, and administrative reports and presentations to various stakeholders;
Assists with annual review of all contracts, insurance policies, bonds, loans, and grants;
Assists the department with the development and preparation of the annual budget;
Assists in reviewing pay requests, tracking project budgets, and reporting for grants and loans;
May attend meetings with other governmental entities, outside agencies, community groups, employee organizations and the general public;
Remain current and engaged on public policy, regulatory, legislative, and local ordinance topics and issues that may impact the department;
Serves as acting director in the absence of both the director and assistant director
Performs other duties as assigned;

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting as applied to municipal government.
Thorough knowledge of modern office practices and use of standard office and accounting equipment.
Thorough knowledge of audit practices; ability to prepare complex financial reports.
Ability to analyze and evaluate complex financial systems.
Ability to communicate technical ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
General knowledge of personnel, purchasing, and accounting practices and procedures.
Ability to plan and direct fiscal and business services.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental staff, other departments, and the public.

Graduation from a four-year college or university preferably with a major in accounting, finance, business, or public administration, and two years administrative experience involving participation in the planning and management of a business or governmental program; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.