Meter Reader

Position Definition

To read commercial water meters and record consumption; to identify water meter equipment problems; and to work with other technical personnel to resolve problems.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Direction is provided by a higher level supervisor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Read water meters on assigned routes and record readings, making necessary calculations.
• Check to determine consistency of meter readings and report unusual cases to a superior.
• Discuss meter problems with supervisor.
• Check to see that meters are registering properly and report to supervisor on such conditions as meter being dead, upside down, running backwards, water being used without being recorded by the meter and other defects or suspicious conditions.
• Report to superior violations of the rules and regulations governing water consumption, conditions that may necessitate a change in rate for the service rendered, and defects in water meters.
• Identify address for new water utility billing.
• Tactfully respond to citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Assist in evaluating new meter products and provide input as to changes in current meter devices.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• City street and address system.
• A variety of meters and meter equipment and their respective functions.
• Public contact and customer service techniques and principles.

Ability to:

• Learn City billing procedures and policies of water utility services.
• Understand and carry out written and oral directions.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
• Deal tactfully with the public.
• Identify meter irregularities and recommend how they can be corrected.

Experience and Education

One year of experience involving public contact in the field or office.

Desirable Qualifications

• Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Loss of the Class C is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Probationary Period: Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

Selection Procedure

Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) – The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job.

Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate's eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Meter Reader examination.

Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) – All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

Bilingual Pay

Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act

The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Additional Information

• Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf
• Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html
• Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf