Job Description

The Department of Revenue is seeking a Deputy Revenue Commissioner for the Water Revenue Bureau to direct the City’s $650 million water billing and collections program for residential and commercial properties. The successful candidate will serve as a strategic partner to the Philadelphia Water Department by providing financial reports and analysis used for water/sewer/stormwater rates and policy decisions.

Provides leadership through a director and group of managers to approximately 160 employees in the following divisions:

• ACCOUNTING –Responsible for the accurate billing and reporting of Water Revenue Bureau (WRB) and Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) financial activity including posting payments, performing adjustments and conducting bank reconciliations.  Additionally, the division is also responsible for billing and collection of Water Agency Receivable payments.  There are 7 units within the division comprising of 40 managerial, accountant and support employees.   
• COLLECTIONS – Comprises of 5 units: Municipal Court/Bankruptcy, Collection Agencies, Sheriff Sales, Informal Hearings, and Tax Review Board. Responsibilities include managing accounts eligible to be sued in Municipal Court or have active bankruptcy claims; supporting sheriff sales including requesting billing adjustments; managing accounts directed to be shutoff or restored; managing the collection agency referral process; preparing and presenting the City’s position to the Revenue Hearing Officer during Informal Hearings for customers that are disputing their Water Bills; and additionally presents the City’s position during the customer’s appeals process to the Tax Review Board.  There are approximately 40 employees in this division.
• CUSTOMER OPERATIONS –This Division has direct customer interaction providing in-depth analysis of accounts when higher level problem resolution is needed. There are roughly 30 employees in this division.
• CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE DIVISION - This division provides discounted water bills to vulnerable residential customers through the Senior Citizen Water Discount and the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) for low-income customers.  Approximately 35 employees support this division.
• TECHNICAL OPERATIONS –. This division provides field investigations, skip tracing and return mail processing.  Staff report on activity discovered in the field (non-billed properties, tampering, hazardous conditions etc.).  This group also resolves and updates WRB accounts whose mail has been returned by the United States Postal Service. This division comprises of approximately 15 managerial, field investigation and support employees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs a team of professionals and support staff in the execution of water/sewer/stormwater billing and collections for over 500,000 customers
• Oversees revenue collections of approximately $650 million
• Provides oversight for a $10.4 million operating budget
• Serves as a key member of the leadership team in developing and implementing policies and strategic plans
• Ensures monthly financial reports to the Philadelphia Water Department and the City’s Controller’s Office are accurate and submitted timely
• Presents the Water Revenue Bureau portion of the Department’s Operating Budget to City Council which includes providing oral testimony on program initiatives and performance
• Provides testimony during Water/Sewer/Stormwater Rate proceedings
• Develops water/sewer/stormwater collection initiatives and programs with the aid of predictive analytics via a data warehouse, along with a case management system, to identify optimal opportunities for revenue collections
• Expand the ebilling program to further reduce costs, increase on-time payments and increase efficiencies
• Partner with stakeholders such as City Council, Residential Customer Assistance and Service Committee (R-CAS) and Community Legal Services (CLS) to increase enrollment in assistance programs
• Collaborates with CLS during any Water/Sewer/Stormwater Rates mediation proceedings
• Responds to press inquiries about billing and collection matters
• Collaborates with the Law Department to ensure that enforcement actions challenged in court are successfully litigated
• Serves on special committees and panels to advance the water/sewer/stormwater programs

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree with major course work in accounting, finance, taxation or related field
• Master’s degree with major course work in accounting, finance, taxation or related field is preferred but not required
• Experience applying laws and regulations relating to water utility or taxation 
• Experience directing a revenue collection, enforcement, accounting and/or large budget program 
• Three to five years of experience directing professional or technical staff in a large municipality

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of water utility policies, regulations and legislation
• Knowledge of standard business accounting systems and general accounting practices
• Knowledge and application of revenue collection best practices, principles and regulations
• Knowledge of basic data analytics theory
• Ability to analyze accounting and financial records and reports
• Ability to interpret utility regulations, code, legislation and legal documents as they related to enforcement and delinquencies
• Ability to work as a team leader and team member
• Ability to problem solve creatively with stakeholders and staff
• Ability to make decisions quickly and accurately
• Ability to manage and coordinate diverse groups toward a common goal 
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and develop partnerships 
• Ability to perform efficiently under pressure
• Ability to independently handle multiple tasks and/or projects simultaneously

Additional Information

SALARY: $122,000

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references with your application. Applications without all documents will not be considered.

DID YOU KNOW?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• Employees are eligible for a 25% tuition discount program (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST BE A CITY OF PHILADELPHIA RESIDENT WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HIRE

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

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