Customer Service Specialist

Salary: $28.08 Hourly
Location : Longview, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Customer Service and Compliance
Division: Customer Service Union
Opening Date: 05/22/2025
Closing Date: 6/10/:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: IBEW

Description

Cowlitz PUD is the local publicly owned power company for Cowlitz County. We are looking for a Customer Service oriented individual to join our customer service team.

You are a great fit if:

• You are positive, outgoing and enjoy interacting with customers.
• Have a high level of customer service skills.
• You are organized and have attention to detail skills.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced changing office environment.
• Can maintain an empathetic and professional attitude while helping customers find the best solution for their needs.

Cowlitz PUD as an employer offers:

• Monday through Thursday 4-10 schedule working 7:00 am to 5:30 pm
• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, wellness program and an on-site gym.
• Collaborative work environment throughout the entire company.
• Community and Public Service opportunities in Cowlitz County.
• Opportunities for continued learning, career development and professional growth.

Our Strategic Plan:
Through our Strategic Planning process, Cowlitz PUD prioritized the following initiatives for the coming years in accordance with our mission and vision:

1. Resource Planning
   Ensure an adequate and reliable power supply to meet the electric load requirements and clean energy obligations of Cowlitz PUD and the community.
2. System Reliability and Security
   Develop and manage Cowlitz PUD's assets and planning tools to ensure a high level of electric reliability, physical and cyber security, and safety.
3. Business Efficiency
   Implement business systems to achieve efficient use of Cowlitz PUD's resources.
4. Engagement
   Cowlitz PUD will communicate, educate, and engage with its employees, customers, and stakeholders to maintain positive relationships and prepare for future change.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Customer Service Specialist will communicate daily with customers regarding their residential and commercial utility service by greeting the customers, assessing their needs, and checking the customer in to our customer service queue.
Experience, Working Conditions and Other Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years' recent customer service or call center experience.
• Minimum one (1) year recent banking or cash handling experience.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and technical skills.
• Must be able to pass a cash handling and computer competency test.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Associate degree in business administration, accounting, or related degree.

Work Environment:
The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Work is performed in the office Monday through Thursday 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. Remote work is not available for this position.

Hiring Process
Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. (optional)
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education. (optional)

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including potential background check, pre-placement physical exam, and full driver's abstract.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
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At Cowlitz PUD we believe part of having a rewarding work place is to have a healthy work environment. You will find that we offer a full benefits package that fits all needs the needs of work/life balance.

About our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time permanent employees. Actual benefits may vary by position type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with Human Resources for specific benefit information.

Insurance Benefits:
As an employer, we offer medical, dental and vision to employees and their families. To help cover the costs of medical expenses we offer our staff a VEBA Health Reimbursement Benefit package. This package allows you to reimburse yourself for medical expenses and also save for the cost of medical at retirement.
We also provide a variety of life insurance options that will fit your families needs. For employees we offer group life coverage in the amount of 2x's your annual salary and you have the option of selecting additional life insurance for yourself, your spouse and your dependents.
To help with those times that you may be injured off the job we have short term and long term disability for employees.

Retirement:
Cowlitz PUD employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs, PERS 2 or PERS 3.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Cowlitz PUD also has a 401k retirement plan and employees can select either traditional or Roth through Fidelity and there is an employer match benefit as well. The District matches up to 4% of the gross wages earned by staff employees. The match for union employees s dictated by the match that is negotiated through the collective bargaining agreement, which is currently 3.5% of gross wages earned by union employees.

Paid Time Off:
Employees begin accruing vacation starting the first full month of employment. Since we value our employees loyalty, the amount of paid time off you can accrue increases the longer you work with us.
Holidays:
Full-time employees are entitled to ten paid holidays:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• President's Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Veteran's Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• 2 Floating Holidays

Some of the other benefits that Cowlitz PUD offers include:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Education Assistance Program
• On-Site Gym
• Wellness Program
• Clothing Allowance, twice per year for logo wear
• Calm App Membership

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Tell us why you are interested in coming to work at Cowlitz PUD?
02

What is your customer service philosophy?
03

Tell us about your clerical, office, and organizational skills.
Required Question