Account Technician I - Utility Billing & Licensing | City of DeKalb

The City of DeKalb is seeking an Account Technician I - Utility Billing & Licensing to join our team! This position will serve as a first point of contact for the City and will assist residents, businesses, outside agencies, and employees both in-person and over the phone—providing friendly, knowledgeable service while handling sensitive information with care.

The Account Technician I performs various functions including utility billing, licensing, cash receipting, and clerical support. This is a is a full-time position represented under AFSCME and works a 37.5 workweek. Standard works hours will be Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. The starting payrate is $22.342 per hour. Please click here to view the full collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule. 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision and prescription benefits, life insurance coverage, HSA & flexible spending accounts, deferred compensation and participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

Essential Functions:

• Assists the general public and employees in-person and over the phone in a courteous, responsible and knowledgeable manner. Directs visitors and forwards call to the appropriate personnel.
• Collects monies and issues receipts for utility bill payments, parking tickets and other transactions from the general public including cash, check, credit card and other payment types. Accepts documents to be recorded and collects associated fees. Provides technical information to the public via phone.
• Processes all new residential accounts, commercial accounts, and termination requests. Responds to customer inquiries regarding high utility bills, suspected leaks, etc.
• Reviews usage history and works with the Utility Division to arrange additional readings, and computes billing adjustments, as necessary
• Prepares files for billing and sends electronic files to third party billing service.
• Recreates and mails duplicate utility bills as necessary.
• Coordinates delinquent account collections and final utility bills. Sends correspondence, posts penalties on utility billing system, establishes payment plans, and prepares termination notices for delinquent accounts. Determines accounts to be terminated by reason of nonpayment and arranges shut-off process according to departmental guidelines.
• Posts utility bill transactions to general ledger.
• Updates utility billing rates on system as needed.
• Prepares monthly sanitary vendor reconciliation, reviews payments against billing history and prepares vendor check request.
• Coordinates the annual Utility Assistance Program. Mails out annual program applications, reviews applicant qualifications, sends out letters of acceptance, and applies appropriate credits to water bills.
• Assists the public and business owners with inquiries regarding business licensing requirements. Accepts applications and reviews for completeness, verifies requirements, accepts payment, and processes applications.
• Acts as a liaison between the public/business owners and departmental staff with inquires. Works with departmental staff on resolution and follows-up with appropriate parties.
• Administers the annual licensing renewals for fire life safety, hotels/motels, solicitors, and food trucks, including monitoring inspection status with the Fire Prevention Officer. Oversees the annual application process, payments, and license issuance.
• Serves as the backup for the Account Tech I -Customer Service.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent. Supplemental coursework in accounting desired!
• A minimum of one year of experience in clerical, accounting, municipal or a related field.
• Previou cash handling experience desired. 
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Outlook, and Excel). Previous experience or the ability to gain proficiency with financial and cash register systems required.

Initial review of applications will begin Friday, January 16, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.