Meter Technician - Customer Service

About the role

Grade 16 – Starting hourly rate: $22.00. Rate of pay depends on qualifications.

Essential Functions

• Installs, resets, removes, and tests water meters.
• Responds to and diagnoses customer calls for leaks or no water on a daily basis.
• Maintains the water distribution infrastructure within and including the meter box.
• Promotes and practices a safe working environment.
• Performs administrative duties to support field personnel activities by updating work orders and service requests in the computerized maintenance management system (INFOR) with findings, resource usage, and completion status.
• Creates follow-up work orders for other groups as necessary.
• Utilizes GIS (GeoCortex), block maps, and/or as-built drawings in performing daily assignments.
• Coordinates and prioritizes schedules, assignments, equipment, and materials to ensure completion of daily assignments and projects.
• Organizes, cleans and maintains vehicle, tools, equipment, and facilities used to test and repair meters; stocks vehicle with the necessary tools and supplies.
• Assists with the setup of work zone traffic control.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and public relations.
• Corresponds regularly with supervisor via email to understand priorities and communicate items requiring immediate attention and external follow-up.

Meters

• Removes defective meters, generally up to 12-inches in diameter; installs new meters; replaces/resets meter boxes.
• Repairs water service leaks within the meter box.
• Responds to reports of leaks, broken meters, no water complaints, and service line repairs; makes field inspections and diagnoses problems in response to customer inquiries; makes repairs when problems are SAWS’ responsibility and advises customer of needed repairs when leaks are not SAWS’ responsibility.
• Installs, activates, programs, reads, inspects, routes, tests, and replaces automated meter infrastructure equipment; programs and assigns water meters and communication devices to customer properties electronically.
• Organizes and maintains facility and/or vehicle parts inventories to ensure adequate tools and equipment required for testing, installation and repair of water meters and communication devices.
• Assists in testing meters in the Meter Shop and in the field.
• Operates a variety of hand tools, power tools and other equipment in the removal, installation, adjustment, repair, and servicing of meters.
• Reads residential, commercial and industrial meters, as required during repairs or meter sets.

Decision Making

Works under general supervision.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Six (6) months’ experience in any utility work, minor plumbing repairs and/or any construction trades.
• Basic PC skills including Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• General skill in the use of simple hand tools and battery-operated hand tools.
• Valid Class “C” Texas Driver’s License.
• Pass position specific physical testing.
• Ability to report to work on time, maintain a good attendance record, and work all designated work schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• Class “D” Texas Water Operator’s License.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.
• Experience utilizing the INFOR (Hansen) computerized maintenance management system.

Job Dimensions

• Exercises extreme caution and understanding of safety policies and procedures.
• Communicates effectively, verbally and in writing, with internal and external customers.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Lifting/carrying up to 20 pounds frequently and up to 55 pounds occasionally.
• Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, bending, crawling, squatting, kneeling, and working in cramped and strained positions for long periods of time to perform job scope.
• Working conditions are primarily outside, exposed to wet, humid, or extreme weather conditions; slippery, uneven surfaces; excessive noise; heavy traffic; and animals, snakes and poisonous insects and poisonous plants.
• Operates company vehicle on a daily basis.
• May be required to work hours other than regular daytime schedules such as weekends, holidays, nights, on-call, and in emergency response situations.