Meter Reader

City of Tulare • Tulare, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Love working outdoors and solving problems? Become our next Meter Reader! If you want an active, independent career out in the community, this is your opportunity. We are seeking a dependable professional to serve as the vital link between our City’s water infrastructure and our residents. In this role, you will blend hands-on mechanical work with modern tech—using Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to troubleshoot equipment, ensure billing accuracy, and help customers solve water system issues. If you take pride in precision and want a stable career with a direct public impact, we want you on our team!

Requirements

• Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.
• At least one (1) year of experience in mechanical maintenance, field customer service involving public contact, or general construction.
• Experience with water utility systems or meter reading equipment is highly desirable.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.
• Ability to handle medium-to-heavy physical work (lifting up to 20 lbs routinely), walk extensively in operational areas, work in confined spaces, and work comfortably outdoors amidst varied weather, noise, and environmental elements.
• Strong shop arithmetic skills, technical aptitude with hand/power tools, independent judgment, and a knack for providing high-level customer service with tact and discretion.
• Knowledge of meter reading devices as well as sizes and types of water meters.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures for installing, testing, maintaining, and repairing water meters.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and power equipment.
• Basic traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.
• Shop arithmetic.
• Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Basic computer software related to work, including handheld computer devices for meter reading purposes.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to learn and acquire knowledge of meter reading devices, the sizes and types of water meters, and the methods and procedures for installing, testing, maintaining, and repairing water meters.
• Install, read, and repair a variety of styles of water meters.
• Post data accurately on forms and prepare simple records.
• Read and interpret street maps.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12 th ) grade and one (1) year of experience in mechanical maintenance, field customer service involving public contact, or general construction work, preferably involving the operation and maintenance of water utility systems or meter reading equipment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with water utility systems or meter reading equipment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Navigate varied terrains in all weather conditions to read meters and record data using advanced handheld computers and AMI systems.
• Install, program, test, troubleshoot, and perform routine maintenance on water meter boxes, transmitting devices, and related equipment.
• Actively connect and disconnect water services, resolve public complaints, investigate leaks or meter tampering, and post official notices.
• Safely operate, inspect, and maintain your assigned City truck and tools while utilizing safe driving and traffic control practices.
• Reads water meters in varied terrains and in all weather conditions; records figures using handheld computers or in meter books for billing purposes.
• Performs a variety of skilled duties in support of the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) including reading, building, programming, installing, activating, inspecting, diagnosing, replacing, and routing AMI meters and/or registers.
• Utilizes AMI software to install, program, read, troubleshoot, diagnose, inspect, and replace AMI meters and transmitting devices.
• Activates, programs and troubleshoots handheld meter reading devices; loads meter reading routes and maps with meter locations onto device.
• Reconciles discrepancies between computer records and physical meters in the field.
• Disconnects/connects customer services by turning meter and or service off/on using a list of delinquent accounts, payment, and new services.
• Ensures that customer issues related to the AMI and metering system are investigated and addressed in a timely manner.
• Assists in assignment of new meters to routes and updates sequential order of meters within routes.
• Performs input/output to the computer; uploads and downloads data to/from hand-held meter reading units.
• Checks for leaks or broken meters, reports water use violations, evidence of tampering, and assists customers in resolving water volume and pressure problems.
• Observes condition of meter or other unusual conditions relative to need for repair; maintains meters, boxes, lids and landscape around meter boxes.
• Operates a variety of tools and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of water meters.
• Makes field repairs to water meters and performs routine maintenance.
• Generates requests to Maintenance and Operations for larger repairs.
• Performs safety and service inspections of assigned truck and equipment; steam clean, wash, and fuel vehicle.
• Responds to customer complaints and/or requests for service; maintain simple records and logs; complete reports as necessary.
• Reads and interprets maps and diagrams in the performance of the work.
• Posts non-payment notices, sign-ups or shut-down notices.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• This position provides a unique opportunity to build a rewarding career in public service.
• You will enjoy a dynamic workday where no two days are exactly the same, hands-on experience with cutting-edge utility software, and the pride of maintaining a vital resource for your community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED