Role overview

The Municipality of North Cowichan (population 31,990) is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria. Our communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay, and the South End are home to a multitude of artistic, cultural and outdoor recreational activities. The Municipality provides a stable and varied work environment, competitive pay and benefits.

We invite applications from candidates with the proven skills, qualifications and abilities for the position of Accounting Clerk 2 – Receptionist/Cashier to assist the Finance team. If you are self-motivated, looking to take on a new challenge where you can make a difference, enjoy both responsibility and accountability with one of British Columbia's most inclusive and environmentally conscious municipalities, we look forward to receiving your application!

Reporting to the Manager, Revenue Services, the successful candidate will provide front customer service in the Municipal Hall, clerical duties supporting the finance department, and cashiering functions. The primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Provide front-line customer service by greeting the public, responding to inquiries related to property taxes, utilities, and municipal licensing services, and directing individuals to the appropriate departments with accuracy and professionalism.
Handle challenging or difficult customer interactions with tact, patience, and professionalism, ensuring concerns are addressed respectfully and appropriately escalated when required.
Accurately collect and process a variety of payments using the Tempest cash collections system, including utilities, property taxes, permits, licenses, accounts receivable, and cemetery fees.
Balance and reconcile daily cash, cheque, debit, and credit transactions, and maintain municipal cash floats.
Administer annual Dog License Program.
Record and reconcile Dog license levy reports and for other cash batches.
Reconcile suspense account at least monthly. (new)
Deployment to other duties may be required from time to time.

Required Skills, Qualifications, and Abilities:

Completion of Grade 12 and formal training in basic bookkeeping.
Three (3) years of related office and clerical experience (local government experience preferred), including experience with basic accounting functions.
A minimum keyboarding speed of 50 wpm, and the ability to work within a current Windows environment including Microsoft Word and Excel, the ability to use a recognized land management/utility/property tax software program, database entry, filing, and recordkeeping.
Demonstrable written and oral communication skills, public relations skills, and practical problem solving ability.
Demonstrable understanding of property tax, tax deferment, utility billing, accounts receivable, business and dog licensing administration.
Demonstrable understanding of accounting principles.
Ability to perform cashiering duties.
Ability to complete multiple tasks in a demanding multi-faceted environment.
Ability to work with co-workers and members of the public in a professional and courteous manner.
Independence of judgment and capability of working with minimal supervision.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to remain composed in high-pressure or contentious situations.

This is a unionized position (CUPE Local 358) and the collective agreement may be viewed on our website. Candidates being considered will be required to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of skills, qualifications, and abilities. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a police information check.