Job Advert: Utilities Assistant
OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates / All Sources
CLOSING DATE: May 18, 2017
WORK HOURS: Full time, 40 hours/week
The U.S. Mission in Yaounde, Cameroon is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position Utilities Assistant. This position is located in Yaounde, Cameroon.
BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION
Under the direct supervision of the Housing Coordinator position oversees all Embassy utility usage and assists the Housing Coordinator and the General Service Officer in the management of the Embassy's residential housing program. He/She serves as point of contact for landlords and resident occupants on housing matters in the absence of the Housing Coordinator.
Detailed Duties and Responsibilities for Utility Assistant:
Under the direct supervision of the Housing Coordinator and indirectly from the Assistant General Services Officer, position oversees all Embassy utility usage and assists the Housing Coordinator and the A/GSO in management of post's residential housing program. Serves as point of contact for landlords and resident occupants on housing matters in the absence of the Housing Coordinator.
40% of Time
Oversees all water, electricity, internet, fixed phone and mobile phone usage by the Embassy and staff, including at Embassy residences. Coordinates installation and activation of utility services at new properties. Works with the IMO to obtain new lines and cellular phone services as needed. Assists in service termination, resolving billing disputes and payments with local utility companies. Responsible for phone bill itemization and roaming service requests for American employees. Assists in the repair of malfunctioning mobile phones and the replacement of defective ones. If designated by GSO as accountable for all Embassy-issued mobile phones, and maintains internal controls to monitor usage, loss, and potential abuse. Processes utilities bills for all USG office and residential buildings, examines bills for discrepancies and assists in seeking billing correction and reconciliation from utility companies, notes anomalies in billing history and maintains spreadsheets tracking utilities costs and payments. Works with Supervisor on assisting RBFO in the preparation of Field Budget Plan (FBP) for future mission property and utilities needs.
30% of Time
Has sole responsibility for maintaining the OBO/TREES (Tiriga Real Estate Environmental Sustainability System) software to better manage Embassy sustainability goals and programs. Makes sure that all utilities usage is routinely measured to better manage the consumption level and cost trends in order to promote energy efficiency both in residences and NEC. Should get familiar with WebPass Real Property Application. Maintains an accurate and up to date housing and utilities profile . Assist to ensure all properties and required data at post are properly inserted in the property book of the RPA/PASS program. Is responsible for responding to all “Housing & Leasing” maintenance requests submitted by customers in eServices through use of the WebPass Generic Service Request software. Also works with the Maintenance Work Order clerk to ensure maintenance at various residences are completed on time either through the Embassy Maintenance staff or the landlord. Escorts contractors and their workers to the residences when necessary. Ensure that all Access Requests to the Embassy compound and residences are made in a timely manner. Assisting the GSO warehouse with appropriate furnishing and/ or equipment as needed in preparation for new occupants.
10% of Time
Serves as point of contact with landlords in the absence of the Housing Coordinator. Liaises with Facilities Maintenance and landlords to arrange for repairs and upgrades of properties; coordinates contractor services or deliverables. These service include and not limited to the following: emptying of septic tanks at all Embassy residences; assist the Housing Coordinator to ensure that all 49 residences are painted after two years by landlords and maintenance tasks are completed on time; Coordinate garden/swimming pool related services before the arrival of new employees and two weeks after arrival, follow-up curtains installation at newly acquired properties as well as during make-ready before the arrival of incoming American employees. Assist in Maintaining a schedule for rental payments, and lease renewal dates; prepares timely rental payment vouchers. Gathers information from the CLO office on new arrivals in order to assign appropriate housing.
10% of Time
Performs field surveys with utility companies' technicians prior to utilities installations and follow-up for results of study. Carries on water and electricity meter readings on all USG properties at post along-side employees from the utilities companies. Updates meter reading sheets as required and distributes meter reading result to employees in other to manage their consumption. Reports malfunctioning and defective meters to the A/GSO for correction and assures that all pipes, tubes and cables leading to all meters function properly.
10% of Time
Maintains good understanding of local real estate market and conditions. Advises GSO and Housing Coordinator on available properties as potential residential space. Assists the Housing Coordinator and GSO in updating leases to include information related to lease renewals. Prepares and maintains an accurate inventory of mechanical and electrical equipment provided by the Landlords at each property as well as equipment provided by post. Measures and prepares property measurement reports on newly acquired properties.
Acts as backup for the Housing Coordinator in leasing and housing related issues and performs all other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
EDUCATION: GCE ‘A' level, Baccalauréat, or equivalent diploma is required.
EXPERIENCE: At least two years utilities or housing experience in an international organization or a renowned local institution of 50 or more employees is required.
LANGUAGE: Level III (Good Working Knowledge) speaking/reading/writing English and Level III (Good Working Knowledge) speaking/reading French are required. (This will be tested.)
SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Incumbent must be able to develop and maintain close working relationships with property owners and utility companies, deal tactfully with requests from American personnel; must be skilled in disputes resolution and negotiations in the absence of the Housing Coordinator; must be able to drive a motor vehicle – category B driver's license is required. (This will be tested.)
JOB KNOWLEDGE: Incumbent must have a good understanding of the organization and billing practices of local utilities companies, basic accounting and mathematical ability; must be able to use current computer programs – MS Office, including usage of spreadsheets and computer calculations.
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.
- Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form DS-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human Resources. (See “For Further Information” above);
- Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, etc.)
WHERE TO APPLY:
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 817, Tel.: 222-201-500, Ext 4006, U.S. Embassy Yaounde, Cameroon
- E-mail Address: ydeapplicants@state.gov
- Indicate the position title on the subject line.
