Melissa Amos is KEC’s Lead Member Service Representative and has worked for Kootenai Electric Cooperative for 12 years.
Tell us about your work experience prior to KEC.
I worked as a customer service agent at a local call center for several years.
I heard that KEC is a great place to work from a former colleague and I had the opportunity to start at KEC as a contract employee. I really enjoyed working with the team and when a permanent position became available I was offered the position.
My day primarily consists of helping members. The Member Services team is responsible for billing, payments, credit/collections, capital credits and more. We assist members by phone, email, chat, and in person. As the lead, I am also responsible for training, mentoring, and being available to provide additional assistance to members if an issue arises.
KEC accepts payments using any of the fee-free payment options below.
- Online: Visit SmartHub to pay your bill or enroll in Auto Pay using a checking or savings account, or a debit or credit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo. You may also make a one-time payment with no registration required using our Pay Now service.
- Pay by Phone: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call (855) 938-3508 and make a one-time payment or enroll in Auto Pay using a checking or savings account, or a debit or credit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo. You will need your KEC account number and KEC PIN.
- In-person using our lobby or drive-thru: Our office is open Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed Fridays.
- Our new address: is 9014 West Lancaster Road, Rathdrum, ID 83858.
- Mail: Mail a check or money order and the bottom portion of the bill to our office (be sure to include your KEC account number on your payment). Please allow time for your payment to be received by the billing due date.
- Drop Box: Drop your check or money order (no cash) and the bottom portion of the bill in our drop box, located in the drive-thru at our office. Please include your KEC account number on your payment. Payments dropped off after 5 p.m. will be applied to your account the next business day.
We recommend using the payment options above rather than third-party payment services. Third parties often charge service fees and payments may take up to a week to post to your KEC account.
Please keep in contact with us—we can help! If you know you can’t make your payment by the bill due date, please give us a call so we can work with you before your power is interrupted. We can explore options such as payment arrangements, different due dates, or connection with local energy assistance programs like Community Action Partnership (CAP). CAP manages a variety of heating assistance programs designed to assist families who have low incomes or are experiencing financial hardships with their heating bills.
I wish more members would get a utility bill estimate before selecting a new home or rental.
Heating equipment, insulation, windows, home size, and more can greatly affect utility costs, and learning this information upfront can help you avoid a surprise in your monthly budget. Just contact KEC and provide the home address you are considering, and we can give you an estimate.
There are significant financial needs in our community, and it can be challenging to help our members navigate resources. KEC employees live in this community and really care about our neighbors and members in need. To help, KEC, its lender CoBank and the Kootenai Electric Trust/Operation Round Up® program work together to donate funds to CAP to help KEC members with energy assistance. Last year, $25,000 was donated to this program and we expect to donate the same amount this year.
The best part of my job is the opportunity to learn and grow constantly. I’m exposed to new challenges often, which helps me develop both professionally and personally.