Utility Meter Reader

City of Salem • 1457 23rd St SE Salem, OR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Make an impact: As a Utility Meter Reader, you’ll play a key role in supporting the City of Salem’s water services. You’ll make sure accurate water usage data for customers by reading meters on assigned routes and documenting service needs for repairs or inspections. Your work helps maintains the City’s water infrastructure and provides essential services to the community. You’ll also interact with customers in the field, answering their questions and resolving concerns, making a direct impact on their experience with City services. Learn and grow: This position offers opportunities to develop your skills in customer service, technology, and field operations. You’ll gain hands-on experience with water meter reading equipment, troubleshooting issues, and working with a diverse community. The City of Salem values growth and will support you in building your knowledge and abilities to advance your career. What you will do: In this role, you’ll spend most of your day in the field reading water meters using handheld devices or manual methods. You’ll document service needs for meters and meter boxes that require inspection or repair. You’ll also interact with customers to answer questions, address concerns, and resolve issues when meter access is limited. Additional duties include performing shutoffs or reinstating water services as directed, responding to after-hours service calls, and maintaining City equipment and vehicles. Your work ensures accurate billing and helps keep the City’s water services running smoothly. Additional information on job responsibilities: Frequent contact with utility customers and the public. Walk or drive assigned routes to read and collect water meter data, document service needs, and ensure accurate billing. Inspect meters and meter boxes to identify issues such as damage, obstructions, leaks, or unauthorized connections, and report findings for further investigation or repair. Respond to after-hours service calls, perform water service shutoffs or reinstatements, and maintain City equipment and vehicles used in daily operations. Utility Meter Readers must exercise independent judgement in completing tasks as well as work in a team environment when needed to complete routes based on tight deadlines.

Requirements

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must have an Oregon Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain an Oregon license within 30 days of residency and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Graduation from high school or completion of General Education Development (GED) test.
• One year customer service or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Knowledge of water meter reading operations, equipment, and technology, with the ability to accurately collect and record data using handheld devices or manual methods.
• Strong customer service skills to effectively communicate with a diverse community, resolve concerns, and maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Ability to follow instructions, prioritize tasks, and maintain accurate records while fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace.

Responsibilities

• Read water meters using handheld devices or manual methods.
• Document service needs for meters and meter boxes that require inspection or repair.
• Interact with customers to answer questions, address concerns, and resolve issues when meter access is limited.
• Perform shutoffs or reinstate water services as directed.
• Respond to after-hours service calls.
• Maintain City equipment and vehicles used in daily operations.
• Walk or drive assigned routes to read and collect water meter data, document service needs, and ensure accurate billing.
• Inspect meters and meter boxes to identify issues such as damage, obstructions, leaks, or unauthorized connections, and report findings for further investigation or repair.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.

What This Job Offers

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