Parking Services Representative

Nature of Work

The City of Bellingham is looking for a skilled professional with a customer service background to join the Finance Department as the Parking Services Representative. The ideal candidate for this position enjoys detail-oriented work, is comfortable working numbers, data, and excited to work in a fast-paced office environment while serving the community. 

Performs a variety of skilled bookkeeping and technical clerical duties requiring a high level of accuracy, attention to detail and broad knowledge of Parking Services, Police enforcement, Municipal Court and other Finance and City departmental functions, policies and procedures. Work includes maintaining accounts, database management and tracking, complex data entry, and providing detailed customer service to the public and City departments.

Essential Functions of the Job:

1. Responds to telephone, e-mail and in-person inquiries and complaints from the public and other departments based on independent knowledge of parking, enforcement and court policies. Explains internal and interdepartmental policies, procedures and processes within scope of authority. Researches and responds to questions regarding billings, adjustments, charges, NSF checks, delinquent accounts and processes citation void requests. Provides correspondence to customers if parking permits are delinquent and/or invalid.
2. Maintains service and account records for the City’s parking billing system; prepares invoices, monitors billing, payments, credit, debit, and rates on individual and business accounts to assure compliance with ordinances and accounting requirements.
3. Develops and maintains an accurate parking services database and completes other data entry projects as assigned utilizing complex systems and databases. Enters data, checks for accuracy, verifies information and updates or corrects data as needed. Compiles data from a variety of sources and prepares summary reports as directed.
4. Receipts cash, checks and credit card payments in person, by mail and by telephone. Performs account look-up and provides details to customers. Performs daily closing and balancing of cash receipting activity. Using computerized and manual recordkeeping systems, assures accurate and reliable reporting of account details.
5. Serves as the Finance Department’s functional specialist in the use of the parking billing system. Monitors and oversees accuracy of data and partners with the system vendor as needed to resolve system issues, ensure optimum functionality and data integrity.
6. Works closely with staff of the Public Works Department, Parking Enforcement, and Municipal Court; fields questions and concerns regarding City parking facilities and parking zones
7. Composes, types, edits, and proofs correspondence, forms, reports and letters. Ensures the parking services page on the City of Bellingham website is up to date and accurate; initiates updates to rates, policies, maps, contact information and other parking services content as needed. Creates and maintains forms such as application materials, program information brochures and calendars. Proofs materials to ensure proper layout, arrangement, grammatical composition and inclusion of all pertinent information from the source.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED: 

1. Acts as backup Cashier for the Finance Department.
2. Works independently on various projects and other related duties within the scope of the classification.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily at a computer workstation in a busy office environment and includes a normal range of noise and frequent distractions. Work involves working in front of a computer terminal for extended periods of time.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job including: 

• Frequently operating a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page;
• Frequently communicate verbally;
• Move between work sites;
• Occasionally transport objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Experience and Training

• A minimum of two (2) years of bookkeeping experience including use of computerized financial record keeping systems required.
• Experience interacting with the public on a frequent basis required.
• Cash handling experience including cash register operation and balancing preferred.
• Experience performing technical clerical duties preferred.
• Proficient in the use of computer software to include: word processing, spreadsheets, database and computerized record keeping systems.
• Ability to type a minimum of 45 wpm with accuracy required; ability to operate a 10-key calculator or numeric keypad by touch preferred.
• Completion of courses in bookkeeping and computerized record keeping software and systems, including spreadsheets preferred.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check

Selection Process

**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along** 
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
 
  Application Review Process:

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around November 5, 2024.
2. Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Relevancy of your experience and training, together with composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered when evaluating responses. Applicant status will be updated on or around November 13, 2024.
3. The top 8 applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of November 18, 2024. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
4. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Experience and Training Rating (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%).

If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form (Download PDF reader) and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.
 
This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in the Finance Department.  This position is represented by a union.  
 
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
 
Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as  evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.