Meter Field Technician

JOB DESCRIPTION

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. 

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to troubleshoot meter problems; maintain water meters in the field; turn meters on and off; clean meter boxes; pump water out of meter boxes; and perform meter checks.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responds to requests for service calls and/or complaints regarding meter operations; investigates meter’s operating condition; troubleshoots problems; calibrates meter if needed; and works to educate customers on program policies and procedures.
• Drives an assigned service truck on a scheduled route throughout the City; reads residential and commercial water meters; checks to see the meter is working correctly; records meter readings in hand held/radio read system; and downloads meter readings to billing system.
• Re-reads meters with unusual usage levels; verifies that meters are registering consumption accurately. 
• Reconfigures meter reading routes and assigns new account numbers for meter installations.
• Installs, cleans, maintains and replaces residential and commercial meters and radio read devices; investigates malfunctions; gains access to meters; replaces defective parts such as couplings, washers, and meter boxes; repairs meters and leaks; and performs routine maintenance.
• Turns on water service for new accounts; disconnects water service for terminated and/or delinquent accounts. 
• Leaves required notices for customers regarding meter problems, bills, or other issues.
• Conducts pre-trip inspections; maintains trip logs and other required documentation; leaves required notices for customers regarding meter problems, billing or other issues.
• Ensures routine maintenance is performed on assigned truck and equipment; conducts pre- and post-trip inspections, including checking all fluids, gauges, lighting, mirrors, tires, body damage, seats and seatbelts, cleanliness of vehicle, etc.; fuels trucks; loads and secures materials; reports all problems or necessary repairs to appropriate personnel immediately; and completes and maintains inspection, gas usage and other associated documentation.
• Adheres to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
• Assists other Department staff and water line crews as assigned. 
• Communicates with supervisor, City employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Assists in hurricane preparedness.
• Operates a personal computer, electronic meter reading equipment, strobe lights, pickup truck, radio, hand water pump, shin detector, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, including the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Education and Experience:

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent; one (1) year of related experience in meter reading or utility maintenance. 

Licenses or Certifications:

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

May be required to maintain the following licenses: Water Distribution D and Asbestos.

Special Requirements: 

None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of water meters.
• Knowledge of safety procedures related to job duties.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Skill in repairing and replacing meters.
• Skill in gathering information before taking action.
• Skill in using rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions.
• Skill in performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculating decimals, percentages, and fractions; and interpreting graphs.
• Ability to troubleshoot problems with meters.
• Ability to build rapport.
• Ability to listen.
• Ability to pay attention to details.

• Ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, or summarize data/information. 
• Ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.
• Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy work. The employee is constantly required to move objects applying up to 20 pounds of force; frequently required to apply 30 pounds of force to move objects; and occasionally required to exert up to 75 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally requires:  climbing, balancing, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, hearing voices and distinguishing among sounds, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, visual acuity in data/color/observations/operating equipment/inspect defects or measurements, and walking. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, and visual cues or signals. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed sometimes indoors but mainly in the field where performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, or traffic hazards. Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

The City of Myrtle Beach has the right to revise this job description at any time. This 

 description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Myrtle Beach commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The City’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, political affiliation, veteran’s status, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, to include transgender status, disability or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law.

Salary : $40,144