Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Water Meter Reader for a utilities company in Costa Mesa. In this role, you will be responsible for accurately reading water meters across designated areas, ensuring precise data collection for billing and system maintenance purposes. This position plays a vital part in maintaining the integrity of water usage records, supporting efficient utility management, and providing excellent service to our community. The ideal candidate will possess strong field service skills, mechanical aptitude, and familiarity with utility locating and equipment repair. This is a 3 month contract position and pay rate is $26.04 per hour.

Duties

Under general supervision, reads water meters on an assigned route and records readings in hand-held computer; performs routine customer service duties to ensure quality customer service to consumers; and performs a variety of maintenance tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Positions in this classification require a general knowledge of water system operations. Assignments are generally limited in scope, contain fairly routine tasks, and are performed within a procedural framework established by higher level employees. As experience is acquired, incumbents perform with less immediate supervision.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Reads customer water meters on an assigned route; records meter readings in hand-held computer; performs radio reads; downloads readings and prints reports.

2. Tests and inspects water meters and meter boxes for damage; reports damage or safety hazards as necessary.

3. Checks reports for irregularities, including unusually high or low readings; re-reads meters with high readings and enters corrected reads; contacts customers as necessary to provide information and resolve problems; leaves notices for customers with unusual water usage patterns and notices for delinquent accounts.

4. Performs a variety of field repairs and maintenance tasks including replacing meter box lids, marking meter locations, trimming bushes/plants near meters, and painting address numbers on meter banks; checks for meter leaks; digs out and pumps water from meter boxes.

5. Enters data into computer records; creates new and/or updates changes to records in the computer system regarding meter changes as necessary; enters comments and notes in billing system; prints and reviews reports; saves electronic reports in meter reading folder.

6. Performs customer service duties in the field as necessary including service turn-ons and turn-offs, re-reading meters to resolve complaints, and hanging door hangers.

7. Updates water meter reading routes for billing; imports and exports routes; loads reading routes into meter reading devices; maintains route records.

8. Creates meter reading schedule.

9. Assists in correcting errors in the final billing process.

10. Performs meter flow testing.

11. Performs customer service duties at the front counter as necessary including receiving water bill payments.

12. Responds to routine questions and requests for assistance from customers in person or over the phone; resolves issues or refers to supervisor.

13. Conducts water consumption audits as necessary.

14. Washes service truck.

15. Assists in training new employees.

16. Performs related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

:

· Operations, services and activities of a meter reading program.

· Operational characteristics of meter reading devices and related tools and equipment.

· Uses and purposes of general construction tools and equipment.

· Geography of assigned route and location of meters.

· Principles and practices of customer service.

· Basic mathematical principles.

· Principles and practices of record keeping.

· Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

:

· Read and record water meter readings.

· Maintain accurate records.

· Maintain good customer relations with consumers.

· Identify and report meter discrepancies or malfunctions.

· Classify, compute and tabulate data and information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment.

· Compare, count, differentiate, measure and sort information.

· Assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information.

· Interpret and apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.

· Utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information such as schedules, maps, meter reading reports, water service regulations, department procedures, and general operating manuals.

· Perform mathematical calculations including percentages, fractions, and decimals.

· Use functional reasoning in performing semi-routine functions involving standardized work with some choice of action.

· Exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which may be subject to frequent change.

· Operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments such as motor vehicle, hand-held computer, two-way radio,

common hand tools, shovel, photocopier, hand pump, shrubbery clippers and flashlight.

· Lift and move the weight of a meter lid or the equivalent.

· Work independently in the absence of supervision.

· Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

· Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

One year customer service experience.

Possession of a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

Pay: $26.04 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• water meter: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person