Water Meter Service Worker

City of Suffolk • Suffolk, VA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs technical work in the installation, activation and deactivation of water services provided by the City Public Utilities Department. Work involves installing and servicing meters, and performing field repairs to water and sewer mains. Employee is also responsible for investigating complaints of leakage from water and sewer fixtures, and investigating illegal water and sewer taps. Work also involves frequent contact with utility customers concerning new accounts, delinquent accounts, and account termination. Employee must exercise some independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise considerable tact, courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with customers and the general public. Reports to the Field Account Manager. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Requirements

• One year of experience in water or sewer maintenance, grounds keeping, construction, or closely related work ; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.
• Graduation from high school or completion of GED preferred.
• Requires a valid driver's license.
• Knowledge of the proper and efficient installation of water meters and valves.
• Knowledge of plumbing and mechanical maintenance as applied to water distribution and collection systems.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures involved in reading meters and recording consumption.
• Knowledge of the physical layout of the City and the department's water distribution and collection lines.
• Knowledge of the Public Utilities Department's services, procedures, policies and regulations.
• Skilled in the use equipment and tools necessary for locating and unearthing water system fixtures.
• Ability to perform minor equipment repairs.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform mathematical computations with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to explain policies and procedures governing applications and charges for utility services.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with customers, and to maintain control when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time, possibly under stressful and arduous situations.
• Ability to maintain readiness to work a 24-hour, call-in basis.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, letters and memos etc.; to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats.
• Ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of rational systems as applied to mechanics to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including mechanical and electrical terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Responsibilities

• Activates and deactivates water and sewer service; repairs leaks in water distribution system; straightens and repairs valve boxes; repairs or replaces damaged or malfunctioning meters or meter boxes; clears mud, debris and other matter from meter cases; performs preventative maintenance to valves and other fixtures, as scheduled or necessary.
• Installs and changes out meters as necessary.
• Obtains usage data for termination or activation of services, or as otherwise necessary; assists meter readers in identifying water line routes and locating meters.
• Checks to see that meters are functioning properly and reports any defects not otherwise resolved to a superior.
• Responds to customer complaints or inquiries, explaining departmental rules, regulations and procedures, and seeking to resolve disputes; notifies customers of problems with account payments, and/or of impending action to terminate services for non-payment of utility bills.
• Locates and inspects meters and water lines and taps for source of reported leaks and/or water loss; investigates reports of illegal water taps; investigates high consumption.
• Performs general grounds maintenance and repair duties around meter boxes.
• Prepares work reports; delivers materials to job sites.
• Performs other related duties as required.

What This Job Offers

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