Meter Reader 2

Do you like working outdoors in all types of weather?  Want to have a job that allows you to be active all while reading and maintaining water meters throughout the City?  Are you able to maintain a calm and customer-friendly disposition even when confronted with irate people? If so, the Meter Reader 2 may be just the right position for you!
 
Meter Readers perform a variety of semi-skilled maintenance and technical tasks involved in performing accurate readings of water meters.  Work is characterized by frequent contacts with residents, business owners, and other City employees. Proficiency operating a variety of specialized hand, power, and automotive equipment is necessary in the performance of daily duties.

**Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application in order for your application to be considered complete.  Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.  If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.** 

This is a full-time, benefited position that is represented by the Teamsters union. 

This position is open until filled with a first review date of July 31. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for August 8-9.

SALARY:

$5,031.00- 6,113.00 per month, depending on qualifications

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

Additional information may also be found in the Teamsters contract, which you can access at Human Resources | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Customer Services Manager, or designee, perform accurate water meter readings; maintain meter records; and repair and replace defective meters. 

Work is characterized by a substantial volume of semi-skilled maintenance and technical tasks involved in performing accurate readings of water meters.  The Incumbent also performs a moderate volume of clerical duties in the data entry of meter data and maintenance of meter records and reports.  Incumbents of this classification operate a variety of specialized hand, power, and automotive equipment necessary in the performance of daily duties.  All assignments involve the responsibility for safe use of tools and equipment and the safety of others in the immediate area.

Work is performed under continuing supervision.  The supervisor indicates what is to be done, limitations, quality, and quantity of the work expected, deadlines, and priority of assignments.  The supervisor provides additional, specific instructions for new, difficult, or unusual assignments.  The incumbent will carry out recurring assignments independently, but refers deviations from procedures to the supervisor for help or decision.  Work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with instructions or established procedure. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Read residential, commercial, and industrial water meters on an assigned route and record readings using hand held meter-reading devices.

Locate water meters that may be hidden under water, construction materials, dirt, or mud.

Load meter readings into PC base system for processing of utility billings.

Check for leaks, mis-readings, and non-functioning meters; prepare a list of defective meters; repair and replace meters from 3/4" to 2" in size; and replace broken meter box lids.

Notify customers of possible service leaks; perform emergency turn offs; and perform delinquency notification and service turn offs.

Provide a full range of customer service activities by interacting with the general public as well as internal customers in person, by telephone, and through written correspondence.

Maintain City right-of-way to meters by clearing debris, clearing brush, grass, etc., and removing rocks and dirt from meters as needed.

Perform meter audits.

Prepare necessary records and reports concerning vehicle operation and maintenance.

Drive City vehicle in a safe manner to meter routes.

Actively support the vision, mission, values and behavior statements of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Meter sizes, types, and functions

• Proper and safe use of water meter reading tools and equipment

• Utility billing process

• Municipal government policies, procedures, and structure; and applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances

• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computers and related software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs

• Recordkeeping techniques

• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary

SKILLED IN:

• Accurately reading and recording meter readings into hand held computers

• Effective interpersonal relations using tact, patience, and courtesy

ABILITY TO:

• Learn the geography and street locations of the City        

• Safely operate a motor vehicle

• Effectively deal with aggressive dogs and other animals in a manner that will not result in injury

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with other employees and the public

• Operate standard modern office equipment including a personal computer, related  software, and other office machines and equipment

• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines

• Use proper telephone etiquette and techniques to properly assist a diverse assortment of inquiries and persons

• Interpret, apply, and explain general regulations, policies, and procedures related to area of work

• Read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos 

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide; and compute fractions, rate, ratio, and percent

• Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; and deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:  

High school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent; and

Experience:

One (1) year experience in meter reading and repair work at a level equivalent to a Meter Reader 1.

Or:                       

In place of the above requirement, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington State driver's license, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment

• Successful completion of the City's Defensive Driving Course within six (6) months of employment

• Valid First Aid/CPR Card, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment

• New employees must successfully pass the City's pre-employment driver's records check; and all employees must maintain an excellent driving record

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Standard and specialized hand and power machines, tools, and equipment used in meter reading including, but not limited to, pipe wrenches, screw drivers, socket wrenches, crescent wrenches, meter keys, pry bars, meter reading hooks, rakes, shovels, clippers, loppers, hedge trimmers, edgers, bilge pumps, water scopes, and metal detectors/locators.

Other equipment used includes, but is not limited to, rain gear, canvas gloves, safety boots, and outdoor reflective vests.

Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, cellular phone, pager, fax machine, copy machine, and calculator.

The incumbent may also be required to operate a City vehicle to travel to and from meter routes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk; and hear.  The incumbent is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and type on keyboard.  The incumbent must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is usually performed in an outdoor environment, subject to emergency call-outs, and may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile.  The incumbent may be required to carry a pager.   While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently exposed to a variety of hostile and unfriendly animals.  The incumbent is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Salary : $60,372 - $73,356