Water Meter Reader

City of Hillsboro • Or 97123, OR

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Get to know Hillsboro and start your career with the City as a Meter Reader. The City of Hillsboro serves more than 28,000 utility billing accounts, including residential, commercial, and industrial customers. As a Meter Reader, you’ll play an important role in ensuring water meters are read accurately and on time so customers are billed correctly each month. This position offers a mix of office and field work, with most of your time spent outdoors reading meters, completing service orders, and assisting customers with starting or stopping water service. The role provides a high level of independence and autonomy, while also serving as a visible representative of the City in the community. Because of this, strong customer service and communication skills are essential to success in the position.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; and two years working experience or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Valid, current Driver’s License and safe driving record.
• Knowledge of: Applicable state and local vehicle laws and ordinances.
• Basic water utility connections, services, and water consumption.
• Tools and equipment used for basic meter reading and repair.
• Safety precautions and safe work practices.
• Positive and effective customer service principles.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Modern office equipment, including computers and relevant software.
• Skills and Abilities to: Relate well, communicate, and work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders who represent a range of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Engage in growth, learning, and self-awareness related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Learn how to communicate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, principles and put them into practice.
• Provide positive and effective customer service
• Operate a vehicle safely and in accordance with laws and ordinances.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Identify issues and provide recommendations for resolution.
• Perform basic math calculations.
• Adhere to safe work practices.
• High School Diploma or GED and 2 years experience related to area of assignment; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in meter reading is desired.
• Basic computer knowledge including use of Outlook, Word, Excel, and meter reading software i.e. Neptune.
• Some basic knowledge and skills of how water meters work and other equipment and/or the ability to learn certain technical aspects related to job and ability to troubleshoot as needed.

Responsibilities

• Reads water meters and records consumption for use in generating bills; utilizes various methods of reading to record meter readings and consumption data into a handheld computerized meter reading device; re-reads meters as needed; records data and confirms accuracy of readings.
• Completes service orders for service connection or disconnection, meter readings and re-readings, or other activities.
• Inspects and observes the condition of meters; reports water leaks to the respective departments; reports situations involving damaged meters, vandalism, safety hazards, illegal taps, or other problems.
• Provides positive and effective customer service; places tags on doors to inform customers of utility activities.
• Performs manual work associated with meter reading and maintenance activities; uses probes to locate meters; maintains areas in and around meter boxes; replaces meter lids.
• Follows established safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors the work environment to ensure the safety of employees and other individuals; reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.
• Works directly with utility billing and the water department to provide a positive customer service experience to all utility customers while representing the city in the field.
• Manages records and information in any format, in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations and city policy, guidance and records retention schedule.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with City contributions to PERS retirement.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• paid time off for vacation, sick leave, holidays, and more.
• Deferred compensation match and HRA VEBA contributions to boost your future savings.
• City-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.
• Extra perks like bilingual pay incentives and wellness reimbursements.
• Free TriMet annual Hop pass and SHARC recreation access for you and your family.
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community through Hillsboro Helps.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive workplace that values work/life balance and employee wellness.

What This Job Offers

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