The City of Wilmington’s Department of Finance manages the City's fiscal health, including accounting, procurement, budgeting, and revenue collection. It oversees property taxes, utility billing, and licenses, with services available via online billing portal. The department ensures financial transparency and compliance, thrives to preserve the financial integrity of the City of Wilmington through excellence in accounting services, customer service, and financial management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Settlement Clerk plays a vital role in ensuring that City of Wilmington property buyers, sellers, and agents comply with City Codes prior to the sale of property. Manages crucial financial transactions ensuring accuracy in City records. This individual reports to the Billing Manager and is the primary customer service contact for settlement attorneys and title companies conducting property transfers within the City regarding billing and amounts due. Additional responsibilities include:

• Accurately calculate and prorate figures for all outstanding monies due to the City, including water, sewer, stormwater, property tax, and L&I fees for settlement attorneys and title companies. • Manages the ownership change portfolio from old customer to new customer.

•  Responsible for all settlement adjustments.

•  Respond to and quote settlements within five (5) business days.

•  Establish new water accounts for buyers and close accounts for previous owners.

• Provide an accurate review and analysis of all accounts.

• Coordinate settlement of meter readings with meter reading staff.

• Field and handle inquiries from settlement attorneys and title companies regarding monies and/or liens owed to the City.

• Complete and resolve Salesforce tickets within five (5) business days.

• Maintain a database to track quoted fines and liens due and subsequent payments.

•  Process all property payments, run final bills for settlements and may assist with the general billing process.

• Responsible for inbound/outbound phone calls to attorneys and customers regarding settlements.

• Coordinates settlement investigations to resolve inquiries regarding sheriff sales, L&I fees, misapplied payments, and court cost fees, which were quoted on the settlement quote.

• Maintains and updates settlement mailbox.

• Perform all related work as assigned or required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED with some coursework in Accounting, Finance, Data Processing, and/or two (2) years of related college training required, or any other combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Suite, particularly Excel. Knowledge of financial software applications. 

• Skills: Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public. Good communication skills, both oral and written.

• Abilities: Ability to perform mathematical computations accurately and quickly. Ability to manage time and work independently, and to work under pressure with frequent interruptions. Must be able to learn and apply City Code relating to water/sewer rates, and Licenses and Inspections lines. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.

• Licenses: Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

 CANDIDATE EVALUATION

Evaluation for this position includes reviewing the application materials, certifying qualified applicants, and a panel interview (in-person or virtual).

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

All selected applicants must pass a criminal background investigation and have a pre-employment physical.

• Physical Requirements: Able to sit, stand, for extended periods and lift up to 25 lbs. • Vision: Ability to focus vision up close and at distances and works at a computer viewing a screen.

• Working Conditions: Work is typically performed in an office environment with low noise levels. Must be able to use standard office equipment

• Location: Work hours are Monday through Friday and range between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., depending on business needs. The position is located at the City/County building, 800 N. French Street, 5th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. 

TOTAL COMPENSATION

Compensation encompasses both salary administration and a comprehensive benefit package:

• Salary Administration: New employees are hired at the starting salary up to the median salary/step four based on qualifications and internal equity within the classification. Merit increases are given after a satisfactory performance review.

• Benefits: The City offers a robust benefit package starting on the date of hire. Additional details available at www.wilmingtonde.gov/benefits .

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

This position is open to all internal and external applicants who meet the minimum qualifications

•  To apply, visit www.wilmingtonde.gov. Computers are available in the Department of Human Resources, City/County Building, 800 N. French St, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. Please call 302-576-2460 to schedule an appointment for computer use.

• The City of Wilmington is an equal opportunity employer.

•  The City Code provides preference for eligible internal candidates, veterans, and current city residents. The City of Wilmington is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Delaware Persons with Disabilities Employment Protections Act, it is the policy of the City to provide reasonable accommodations when requested, without causing undue hardship. If accommodation is needed, please call 302-576-246

Equal Opportunity Employer

THE CITY OF WILMINGTON COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The City of Wilmington is committed to providing a robust healthcare portfolio to meet the needs of our employees and their families and is pleased to offer coverage on your first day of employment. Helping you understand the benefits we offer is important to us. Please refer to our Employee Benefits website to view all healthcare plans, vendor information, resources, and benefit rates.

Medical Insurance: Highmark BCBS of Delaware. City of Wilmington offers 2 medical plans, PPO II (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization).

Dental Insurance: MetLife. City of Wilmington offers three dental plans, Dental Plan 1, 2, and 3.

Vision Plan: Unum (Powered by EyeMed). City of Wilmington offers two vision plans, Basic Vision coverage which is available if you enroll in medical insurance. Basic Vision Coverage which is no cost, and the Buy-Up Vision coverage is available at an additional cost.

Additional Benefits: The City of Wilmington also offers other valuable benefits such as Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability. Employer Provided HRA’s, Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional whole and term life insurances, short term disability and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.

Opt-Out Cash Back Incentive Program: Employees who choose to enroll in medical or dental coverage other than the City’s and can provide proof of this medical coverage may be eligible to receive additional income.

Wellness: We enjoy staying healthy together! Therefore, we have an engaging calendar of wellness events throughout the year for employees, retirees and their families. To learn more, check out our Employee Perks page.

Sick Leave: Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.

Vacation: At least eight (8) hours* of vacation per month after the completion of the first six (6) months* of continuous employment until the next January 1. Each January 1 thereafter, employee will be credited with at least ninety-six (96) hours* of vacation for the calendar year, until the completion of five (5) years of continuous service.

Holiday: Eligible employees receive holiday pay from date of hire, View City Holidays

Life Insurance: The City agrees to provide term life insurance for each eligible employee for a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) at no cost.

Pension: Eligible employees are able to participate in the State Pension Plan you will contribute 6% of your bi-weekly base pay.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional employee contributory plan available.

Live Near Your Work Program: Homebuyer Assistance program to provide up to $4,000 in homebuyers assistance for newly hired employees, first time homebuyers, and those employees choosing to purchase a residence in one of the City’s unique and culture-blended neighborhoods.

Tuition Reimbursement: The City encourages employee self-development and continuing education and provides a reimbursement program for eligible employees annually for qualified college or certification courses taken that year.

Teleworking/Remote Work*: Eligible employees qualify for a hybrid schedule upon approval through the city’s teleworking policy. The City is committed to increasing employee productivity and improving talent recruitment by providing employees with work alternatives that enable eligible employees to meet their work and family needs.

PSLF Program Eligible Employer: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click PSLF Loan Forgiveness.

*Benefits for employees under collective bargaining agreements or appointed positions may vary.