Meter Technician

Read/record all residential and commercial water meters on an assigned route; records water consumption data using a hand-held field computer.

Downloads daily meter readings to computer and completes daily work log.

Connects and disconnects water meters as directed, for nonpayment and payment.

Records beginning readings and restores water service to new customers; Records ending readings and disconnects water service to previous customers.

Changes meters that have rolled over or run backwards causing an incorrect read.

Rereads meters that show high usage due to actual usage or incorrect ERT readings.

Reports outages, leaks, hazards, and unusual or suspicious meter conditions to a supervisor; disconnects meters as directed.

Performs minor repairs within scope of authority and training including repairing broken meter boxes, replacing faulty meters; which often requires hand-digging.

Conducts new meter installs, records initial meter start reading, and provides pertinent information to Customer Service to commence customer's account.

Restores yards after pipe installation or repair work.

Assures that meters are registering properly, and verifies irregular meter readings.

Installs new meters for new construction, to replace faulty meters and for well to county hook ups.

Checks for water leaks and damage around the meter and meter box; keeps meter box and valve areas clean and unobstructed by clearing overgrowth and debris.

Removes and replaces meters with temporary meters for meter testing.

Performs meter testing as required to confirm accuracy or detect failure.

Reports hazards, outages, and leaks to customer service.

Communicates with builders and inspects water taps, water valves, and county sewer cleanouts to make sure they meet county specs.

Contacts customers as required and responds to customer inquiries and complaints and reports information to supervisor.

Reports and stops any water theft in county.

Conducts leak investigations, determines the priority, and ensures utility locate has been called in to replace or repair water line.

Utilizes proper safety precautions in all work performed including confined space entry, PPE, etc.; reports problems and emergency situations; attends and completes all required safety training.

Operates and maintains vehicles and equipment in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures; identifies and reports mechanical problems requiring additional repair.

Takes inventory on truck every day (meters, erts and expansion wheels).

Follows departmental policies and procedures; reports code violations to supervisor.

Pulls data for high usage accounts, move in and move out readings and weekly readings from master meter.

Boxes and ships ERTs and damaged meters for warranty credits.

Performs on-call duty to provide after hours and weekend support.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
High School Diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED) and six (6) months of experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

NC Water Distribution Grade C Operator Certification.

NC Water Meter Technician Certification.

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Employment pre-placement Drug and/or Alcohol test required for this position.

Special Requirements:
Excellent verbal and written communications skills required in English and Spanish.

INSURANCE PROGRAMS

HEALTH INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period. Health Reimbursement Account Preventative Care Coverage Prescription Coverage Vision Coverage

DENTAL INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period.

LIFE INSURANCE

Basic Term life Insurance in the amount of one times the annual salary is provided for all full-time and regular part-time employees. Additional coverage is available for purchase through payroll deduction for the employee and eligible dependents.

FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

RETIREMENT

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all full-time and regular part-time employees. Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have five (5) years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to full-time and regular part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a five percent (5%) contribution based on biweekly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to all employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Options are available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Debit Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

Health Care Spending Account - Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.

Dependent Care Spending Account - Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.

CREDIT UNION

Local Government Federal Credit Union membership is available to all employees. Once you join, you can remain a member for as long as you choose. Immediate family members such as: spouse, children, stepchildren, brothers, sisters and parents can all become members.

TRUIST
No Overdraft Fees
$100 Negative Balance Buffer
Online and Mobile Banking with Bill Pay

LEAVE PROGRAMS

VACATION LEAVE

Vacation leave is accrued based on creditable years of service in the Local Government Employees Retirement System.

SICK LEAVE

For full-time County employees, sick leave accrues at eight (8.0) hours per month. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time rate. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

SICK LEAVE TRANSFER FROM OTHER AGENCIES

Unused sick leave earned from another North Carolina Governmental Agency and/or entity, will be accepted and transferred to the County as follows: twelve (12) sick leave days will be transferred and added to the employees active sick leave balance after completion of six (6) months of employment. The remaining balance of sick leave documented for transfer at the time of employment will be recorded in the employees permanent personnel file. On the fifth anniversary of employment with the County, the remaining balance of transferred sick leave will be added to the employees active sick leave balance.

HOLIDAYS

There are 11 County recognized holidays per year with 1 floating holiday available.

MILITARY LEAVE

Annual Training - 10 paid workdays granted.

Active Duty - 20 paid workdays granted.

CIVIL LEAVE

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

Parental Leave provides the employee paid leave for the first eight weeks of approved FML for the birth of a son or daughter, or placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Educational Leave is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees when participating in a job-related, short course, such as an update, not to exceed ten (10) consecutive working days.

VOLUNTEER TIME OFF

Volunteer Time Off will provide employes with 16 hours of paid time per calender year to volunteer at approved Union County community partner agencies.


OTHER PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER

We believe that staying healthy is more than just exercising regularly and eating well. Individual and family discount membership and monthly dues are available to full-time and regular part-time employees through payroll deduction.

NATIONAL COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM

The National College Savings Program is open to all employees. The Program is designed to provide certain tax advantages, encourage and facilitate saving to pay the costs of attending eligible institutions.