Water Meter Technician I/II

City of La Verne • La Verne, CA

19h • Onsite

About The Position

Join the City of La Verne's Public Works team and play a vital role in delivering safe, reliable water service to our community. We are seeking motivated, customer-focused individuals who enjoy working outdoors, solving problems, and making a positive impact every day. This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative team dedicated to exceptional public service. The Water Meter Technician series is a flexibly staffed field classification series. Incumbents may be assigned duties ranging from routine meter reading and service-related field work to more advanced field investigations, meter service activities, and technical support duties, depending on the level of classification and assignment. Positions in this series are expected to work safely, provide courteous service to the public, and coordinate field information with Customer Service/Billing staff and other City personnel.

Water Meter Technician I: This is the entry-level class in the Water Meter Technician series. Positions in this class are generally filled from the outside through open-competitive examinations. Incumbents work under close and continuous supervision while learning and performing meter reading, service orders, meter inspections, water service turn-ons and shut-offs, and related field service duties in accordance with established procedures. As experience is gained, employees are expected to develop working knowledge of meter reading procedures, field safety practices, meter maintenance activities, and customer service expectations.

Water Meter Technician II: This is the journey-level class in the Water Meter Technician series. Positions in this class may be flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the level, or, when filled from the outside, require prior related field experience. Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of assigned duties with minimal supervision and to exercise independent judgment within established guidelines. Work at this level includes more complex field assignments, such as investigating abnormal consumption, identifying and documenting leaks or meter irregularities, performing meter exchanges and related service work, troubleshooting AMR/AMI issues, and providing technical and functional guidance to lower-level staff.

Requirements

• One year of field work involving water meter reading, utility services, public works maintenance, or related customer service field work (for Water Meter Technician I).
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in water meter reading, meter services, utility field operations, or related public works field work (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level coursework or specialized training in general business practices and procedures.
• Safe work practices.
• Basic meter reading methods and procedures.
• Basic principles of water service delivery and meter function (as applicable to assigned duties).
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Ability to learn procedures and policies affecting municipal services and field service requests.
• Ability to read meters accurately and enter information into a hand held computer or related system.
• Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records, logs, and service order documentation.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to respond to public inquiries, requests for services, and complaints in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to work well with others in emergency situations and in all types of inclement weather.
• Meter reading systems, field data collection practices, and related recordkeeping procedures (for Water Meter Technician II).
• City policies and procedures related to service orders, water service turn-ons and shut-offs, delinquent account field actions, and meter service activities (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Water meter installation, inspection, maintenance, exchange, and related field service practices (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Automated meter reading and/or advanced metering infrastructure systems and related field equipment, as applicable to assigned duties (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Principles and practices of providing technical and functional guidance to staff (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Ability to work independently in the absence of close supervision (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Ability to analyze and investigate abnormal usage, leaks, meter irregularities, no-read conditions, and related field service issues (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Ability to inspect, document, and report field conditions accurately and recommend appropriate corrective action or follow-up (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Ability to perform more complex meter reading, service order, and meter service assignments in accordance with established procedures and safety requirements (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Ability to provide technical and functional guidance and training to lower-level staff (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Skillfully use hand held computers, field data collection devices, AMR/AMI equipment, and related software or systems (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Ability to coordinate field findings and service information with Customer Service/Billing staff and other City personnel (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Ability to read and interpret service orders, route information, meter records, and related field documentation (for Water Meter Technician II).
• Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
• Possession of a valid Grade I (D-1) Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Nice To Haves

• Up to 2.5% incentive pay for approved job-related certifications.
• 5% incentive pay for completion of at least five (5) job-related college courses, with a minimum of three (3) courses completed while employed with the City.
• Up to 10% incentive pay for obtaining applicable State Water Resources Control Board certifications in Water Distribution or Water Treatment.
• Experience using handheld devices, tablets, or field technology to accurately collect and document information.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain accurate records, complete service orders, and prioritize multiple assignments.
• A collaborative mindset with the willingness to assist team members and support other Public Works operations as needed.
• Demonstrated experience performing advanced meter services, investigating water usage irregularities, troubleshooting AMR/AMI systems, and providing technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced staff (for Water Meter Technician II).

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of field duties related to water meter reading and meter service activities, including reading water meters for water services and other municipal services.
• Enter meter reads into a hand held computer, tablet, or related system.
• Locate covered, obstructed, or difficult-to-access meters.
• Respond to field customer requests for information and complaints relative to water service.
• Participate in the installation, inspection, maintenance, exchange, and removal of water meters and related equipment.
• Turn water service on and off for authorized service actions.
• Investigate abnormal usage, leaks, and meter operation issues.
• Complete related field documentation and service orders.
• Read water meters on assigned routes as required; enter meter reads into a hand held computer, tablet, or related system; review reads for accuracy and report exceptions, irregularities, and access issues in accordance with established procedures.
• Locate water meters, including covered, obstructed, or difficult-to-access meters; clean and maintain meter boxes and surrounding areas by removing debris and vegetation as needed; tag doors or leave appropriate notices and access reminders as required.
• Conduct meter rereads and field verification as assigned; document findings, identify potential causes of irregular usage patterns, and report results in accordance with established procedures.
• Inspect locations that show high and low water consumption; investigate and document potential causes or reasons for abnormal usage, including leaks, meter malfunction, unauthorized water use, or other conditions; provide findings to appropriate City staff.
• Turn water service on and off at designated locations for account starts, stops, transfers, maintenance needs, and delinquent accounts as authorized; restore or reconnect service when approved; document completion and related service order information.
• Turn off water at designated locations to inspect for leaks, damage, and improper meter operation; properly assess and repair minor service leaks as assigned; report conditions requiring additional work, specialized repair, or follow-up by other City staff.
• Assist with replacement of meter components such as lids, covers, boxes, registers, and related parts as assigned; inspect meter operation and report needed repairs or replacements.
• Assist with conducting flow tests and pressure checks; document readings, observations, and results; report abnormal conditions or findings in accordance with established procedures.
• Assist with troubleshooting automated meter reading (AMR/AMI) equipment and related field devices as assigned; identify and report "no read," communication, programming, or equipment-related issues; update meter asset information, including meter location and identifying information, as required.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and complaints in the field in a tactful and courteous manner; provide general information regarding water service and field processes; coordinate with Customer Service/Billing staff by providing field findings, reread results, service confirmations, and documentation to support customer resolution; refer billing-specific questions to appropriate staff as required.
• Receive, prioritize, and complete service orders and field service requests as assigned; maintain accurate field logs and documentation; update work order and service request systems with status, notes, and completion details in accordance with established procedures.
• Operate City vehicles and field equipment as required; maintain assigned tools and equipment in safe working condition; ensure vehicles are stocked with basic field supplies; regularly update vehicle log book and report needed repairs or materials.
• Work safely in the public right-of-way, around traffic, and in active neighborhoods; follow safety policies and safe work practices, including use of required PPE; work around common field hazards such as uneven terrain, confined meter boxes, insects, animals, and access limitations.
• Work well with others in emergency situations and in all types of inclement weather.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Additional salary incentives based on job-related certifications, education, and professional development
• Medicare coverage match

What This Job Offers

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