Meter Worker

City of Racine•Racine, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to install and maintain water meters in the distribution system, test water meters, accurately read and record water meter readings, inspect water service extensions and repairs, investigate irregular water consumption, collect water samples, replace water meters, perform turn-offs of services for repair, and do utility locates. The City of Racine strongly encourages residents to apply, as City residents will earn a 4% differential on top of the hourly pay range. This role involves working cooperatively with other Utility departments and staff to respond appropriately to emergency situations, or assist on projects in the plant or distribution system. Adherence to all safety procedures is required.

Requirements

Strong mechanical skills verifiable by past work experience.
Skill in analyzing, diagnosing, correcting mechanical failures and defects.
Skill in using specialized tools and equipment common to maintenance functions.
High School Diploma.
A minimum of 2 years of experience in a municipal water utility doing meter or field service work involving water service lateral installations; or 2 years of experience disassembling, adjusting, testing, and/or repairing meters is preferred; or a combination of equivalent experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Valid state-issued motor vehicle operator’s license is required.
Ability to utilize, interpret, and apply a variety of advisory data and information such as blueprints, line diagrams, meters, gauges, operation and maintenance manuals, charts, and graphs.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with varied and diverse contacts, such as Utility personnel, general public customers, contractors, and regulatory personnel; also effectively correlate customer complaints and disseminate Utility information.
Ability to communicate and follow instructions both orally and in writing; and perform duties with a minimum of direct supervision.
Ability to maintain effective and professional working relationships with fellow employees and customers.
Works effectively with the public as a positive representative of the Water Utility.
Ability to apply rational and ethical judgment, tact, courtesy, and diplomacy when dealing with Utility personnel, public customers, contractors, and city representatives.
Must have good dexterity with ability to hand operate tools and instruments, some requiring complex and rapid adjustments in coordination with eye movement.
Ability to exert strenuous physical effort to lift and carry objects up to 50 lbs, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, turning/torqueing valves and apparatus, climbing steps and ladders, and extensive walking.
Must be able to enter and work in confined spaces.
Must not have a fear of heights (work off of ladders and scaffolds).
Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarity or difference between characteristics of color, sound, and odor.

Nice To Haves

Mechanical training and certification in electro-mechanical technology, automotive maintenance, pipefitting, or plumbing is preferred.
Wisconsin DNR Waterworks Operator Distribution license certification is desired.
Cross-Connection Control Device Tester license certification is desired.
Computer application skills using Microsoft Office and GIS software are a plus.

Responsibilities

Tests to determine cause of water meter malfunctions.
Disassembles, cleans, adjusts, and repairs water meters –both in the meter shop and on customers’ premises when practical.
Changes and retro fits water meters according to meter department procedures.
Performs home cross connection control and lead service line inspections and records data for same.
Takes inventory of meter department stock/supplies; organizes and delivers scrap metal to scrap yard.
Stocks meter cage with delivered meters and parts.
Fills tanker trucks and trailers; keeps seasonal water meters, backflow preventer boxes, and wire baskets in orderly placement.
Reads, collects, and downloads meter data using a hand-held device and laptop computer; Responsible to charge devices overnight and upload all necessary route data.
Investigates customer complaints, such as high-water consumption, water pressure, and water quality.
Investigates potential service line or water main breaks.
Collects distribution bacteriological and other regulatory-mandated samples, and performs field chlorine and temperature analyses.
Locates services and mains.
Installs and removes backflow preventer boxes and hydrant meters.
Enters confined spaces to test, inspect, or replace meters.
Enters data to computerized record files; prepares notifications to customers.