By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels
Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 1/17/20
Silvia Carrizal started with Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) in 1995 as a 6-month temporary staff on the switchboard. She directed customers to the right departments and very quickly learned the connections between different City of Las Cruces (City) departments.
“I love to assist people and directing customers to help figure out a problem is rewarding,” she explained. “At the switchboard, I learned that I was the first contact they had with the City, and that I really set the tone for their next interactions.”
She also learned how to listen to someone who had a vague idea that they needed help, but maybe not who exactly to talk to about their issue. Today, Carrizal is an LCU Receivables Representative Senior. She is still patiently listening to customers.
“When you invest in this organization, with LCU, you see that they invest in you,” she explained. Carrizal says not only has LCU provided training for career advancement, but she’s also had supervisors who knew that sometimes “life happens”, especially as Carrizal was not only serving the City, but also raising her triplets here.
“I’ve had great and understanding supervisors if I’ve needed to stay home with a sick child,” she said. “Likewise, I try to be understanding with customers. Life happens; we listen, hear you out, and do what we can as fast as possible to get services reconnected.”
Carrizal continued, “Most people don’t know how many options there are when they call, and sometimes things just happen - hardships, be it medical or financial. Customers get overwhelmed and we can tell if it’s a one-time situation that we can help them get back on track.”
Do you have a knack with people and want to serve your community? Check the job postings for LCU where you too can grow your career and invest in an organization that will invest in you. “Take advantage of all the education that is offered; the City offers a lot,” said Carrizal. “I’ve really felt that what you put in is what you get back and there are so many opportunities to grow with the City and LCU.”
Are you ready for a career? Come join us! Find job postings at http://www.las-cruces.org/2001/Work-For-Us , and click on the Current Employment Opportunities with Las Cruces Utilities link.
You can reach Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.
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PHOTO 1: Silvia Carrizal, LCU receivables representative senior, is ready to listen and help customers who call Customer Central at (575) 541-2111. Silvia is 24 years into her career at LCU and believes that her investment in the community has paid off for her and her family. Like Carrizal, you might consider a career with LCU.