Customer Service Representative, Technical

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Salary: $35.38 – $39.00 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: 0612-25
Department: City of Tacoma – CITY WIDE LIST
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description

This advertisement is to create a list that will be used to fill Customer Service Representative, Technical (CSRT) vacancies for the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities for a period of one year. Join us in making a difference in our community and delivering top-notch customer service. Apply today and become a part of our team!

This is the second level in the Customer Service Representative series. CSRT’s perform technical customer service duties assisting customers in person and by telephone, computing and processing billings, resolving complex billing issues which may involve research, auditing and/or advanced record corrections, monitor customer accounts for payment activity and delinquency. CSRTs act as technical specialists in interpreting and applying procedures to resolve complex issues, complaints, inquiries and customer service problems while maintaining appropriate confidentiality. Incumbents in this classification typically act as subject matter experts in performing specialized or technically advanced customer service functions, are problem solvers, and are expected to independently develop a course of action.

Vacancies may occur within the following departments (work locations and schedule will vary by position):

Tacoma Public Utilities
Tacoma Public Utilities provides services that are vital to your quality of life. A CSR Tech works with internal and external customers on complex billing questions and concerns. You can learn more about Tacoma Public Utilities

Fire
CSRTs within Tacoma Fire will have primary responsibilities of conducting Emergency Medical Services (EMS) billing and auditing – this includes understanding medical billing, insurance and HIPAA regulations, and payment processing. For more information about our EMS billing program, see this page on Tacoma Fire’s website.

Finance
Finance’s mission is to support a thriving, livable community through collaboration, transparency, and strong financial management. As a CSRT, you will be the primary point of contact for our customers and may be responsible for resolving tax, license, assessment, special projects, and financial issues that require research and advanced records corrections skills.

Environmental Services
CSRTs support the City of Tacoma’s Wastewater, Surface Water and Solid Waste utilities. You can learn more about the City of Tacoma’s utility services on our
Applicants who apply and meet minimum qualifications will be invited to take an online test. Details and the test link are anticipated to be sent via email the week of April 14, 2025. Be sure to check your junk folder for this email so you don’t miss the deadline.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent and
• 2+ years of customer service experience for a business or agency, including experience interpreting, applying and explaining rates, codes and regulations.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TACOMA FIRE ROLES:

• Certified Ambulance Coder designation or ability to attain the designation within six months of hire.

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge:

• Customer service principles and practices
• City and governmental policies and procedures
• Office practices and procedures
• Government structure and process, office technologies, and appropriate language usage
• Thorough knowledge and use of related computer software

Skills:

• Problem resolution
• Teaching and training
• Operation of computers and office equipment
• Performance of basic accounting mathematical calculations
• Advanced customer accounting and collection operations
• Interpret, apply and explain rates, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Planning and organizing work
• Analyzing situations to develop a course of action
• Interacting respectfully and sensitively with diverse internal and external clients and groups to develop productive relationships and provide customer service

Ability:

• Resolve technical customer service issues, calculate bills, compute differences and explain complicated rate schedules
• Interpret computer printout data
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, effectively, and efficiently
• Follow written and verbal directions
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships

Selection Process & Supplemental Information
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and InclusionTacoma’s diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma’s entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
All interested individuals should apply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to complete an online assessment. Candidates who pass the assessment will be placed on an eligibility list for interview and hiring consideration. The eligibility list will be used to fill vacancies as they occur for approximately one year.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 483. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

If you have questions regarding this position or need assistance with the on-line application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 4:00 pm on the closing date of the job announcement.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees’ Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
01

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application.I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a high school graduate or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least two years of customer service experience in a call center or customer service counter for a business or agency interpreting, applying and explaining rates, codes and regulations? Applicable experience can include providing customer service to internal customers in addition to the public.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience or interest in medical billing and patient customer service? **Please note, a response of “No” to this question does not disqualify anyone from meeting the qualifications for this position.

• Yes
• No

05

Was the experience you listed in Question 3 and 4 acquired in government employment or a utility?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you speak a language in addition to English? If so, indicate the languages you speak fluently.

• Spanish
• Russian
• Vietnamese
• Japanese
• Chinese
• Other
• NA

07

If you answered “Other” for the previous question, please specify the language.
08

What types of positions are you interested in? (Please select all that apply)

• Permanent
• Temporary
• Full Time
• Part Time
• Hybrid (combination of in office and telework)
• In Office Only

09

In 200 words or less, please share one specific example where you had to reference rates, codes and/or regulations in a customer service environment in order to provide excellent service to a customer.
10

In 200 words or less, please describe what being part of a team in customer service environment means to you.
11

In 200 words or less, please describe a challenging customer service scenario you’ve encountered and how you successfully resolved it. What did you learn from that experience, and how do you apply it in your approach to customer service?
12

One of the City’s Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe an experience you have working with diverse groups of people.
13

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Internet search
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• Union job posting
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• SEED
• TTEP (Tacoma Training and Education Program)
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Careers in Government
• Government Jobs
• NWPPA
• Outreach Event

14

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.
Required Question