Position Title:      

Metering Technician

Department:

Electric

Reports To:

Electric Operations Manager

Hrs/Week:

40

Rate:

$34.29/hr – $60.89/hr (DOQ)

Grade:

E1 - E5 (DOQ)

Appointing Authority:

Electric Manager

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

General Summary:

The Utilities Department is comprised of three distinct utility services that share a single Business Office. Together, it is responsible for approximately 7,500 electric and 5,000 water and wastewater customers. The Department’s fundamental priorities include customer satisfaction, operational effectiveness, resiliency, accessibility, and long-range sustainability.

The Metering Technician plays a crucial role in the Utilities Department, installing, maintaining, and reading electric meters under the direct supervision of the Electric Operations Manager. They work with the Utilities Department staff to establish new services, determine customer bills, and maintain the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. The Metering Technician may also support deployment, maintenance, and networking of water meters. The Metering Technician’s self-sufficiency and ability to work independently are highly valued, and a strong work ethic and personal integrity are critical to succeeding in this role.  Performance will be evaluated based on direct observation by the Electric Operations Manager, review of written records, timeliness, completeness, accuracy, safety, attitude, and ability to learn.

This position includes an Apprentice-, Technician-, and Senior Technician-level roles, depending on qualifications.

Essential Job Functions:

• Verifies proper operation of AMI date collectors and repeaters daily.
• Test, install, repair, maintain, and remove AMI electric.
• Routes communications path for AMI utilizing ArcView GIS and Mueller software programs.
• Troubleshoots lost connectivity and AMI networking issues.
• Installs and wires poly-phase AMI meters (CTs &PTs) for commercial meters.
• Reads residential and commercial meters monthly; records data in handheld meter device; identifies meter tampering and diversion and reports these cases to the electric operations manager and business manager for further investigation.
• Performs monthly re-reads for meters that are identified on a variance report during billing and as needed during the month; investigates possible reasons for high or low usage. Verifies readings to locate abnormal consumption and records reasons for fluctuations
• Responsible for maintaining meter inventory, including all types of IELD electric meters, current transformers (CTs), voltage (potential) transformers (PTs), meter seals, locks, covers, transformer enclosures, collectors, repeaters, and all other testing equipment as assigned.
• Maintains accurate meter inventories, files, installation records, and inspection reports; maintains inventory spreadsheet daily. Uses computers to order supplies, read meters, and prepare reports.
• Perform final readings as needed.
• Serves on-call to respond to after-hours service restoration (for terminations due to non-payment); accepts payments and delivers to office personnel the following morning; always acts courteously and professionally when dealing with customers.
• Responsible for completing and maintaining all necessary reports and records associated with the testing and maintaining of all meters and equipment.
• Upon receiving High Voltage Rubber Glove certification, may be required to serve as a qualified second person on a switching crew for storm or other emergency situations as deemed by management.
• Receives and executes job orders for the installation and removal of residential, commercial, and industrial electric, ensuring accurate and reliable utility services for our customers.
• Assists in assembling material drawn from inventory and in loading and unloading materials and salvage to and from work vehicles
• Install, test/troubleshoot, maintain/repair, read, and program all residential and commercial/industrial type meters, including primary metering.  Disconnect and connect all types of single and polyphase meters. Read and record electric usage on all residential and commercial/industrial type meters. Retrofit meters to join the AMI Fixed Mesh Network.
• Works with Potential and Current Transformers for primary and secondary metering.
• Works with high voltage, including up to 4-wire, 3-phase units; tests, installs, repairs, maintains, and removes electric meters in all areas, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
• Inspect electric meters and connections for defects, damage, and unauthorized connections.
• Verifies readings to locate abnormal consumption and records reasons for fluctuations.
• Disconnection of customer electric revenue meter for nonpayment, as directed; restore power and accept payments, as directed.
• Handles, maintains, and operates such equipment as ladders, hand tools, computers, etc.
• Operates vehicles, including pick-up trucks and forklifts.
• Interprets maps, develops and maintains plans and sketches of system and services.
• Completes reports and other documentation and communicates the same with supervisors.
• May support deployment, maintenance, troubleshooting, and networking of water meters as well.
• Performs other, related duties, as assigned.

Additional Requirements:

• Safety is a top priority. The Meter Technician is expected to maintain safe work habits by actively following the direction of the Electric Operations Manager, ensuring a secure and confident work environment for all.
• Maintains passing grades in the NEPPA or equivalent metering training program.
• Communicate with customers, vendors, and public officials in a professional and courteous manner.
• Perform Dig Safe underground utility locating and identification as directed.
• Functions as a team player in close cooperation with other divisions, departments, and employees.
• May be temporarily assigned to other divisions within the Department as needed, including but not limited to the electrical distribution crew, tech services substation, power plant, and the business office.
• Assist in the maintenance, repair, and operation of all Department assets, programs, and processes as needed under the supervision of qualified personnel
• Demonstrates the ability to perform work at the next senior job position for short periods in a progressive manner (e.g., during absences and when called upon to do so)
• Performs other duties as assigned within industry safety guidelines

Desired Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED required; Associate/Bachelor degree or equivalent-level technical schooling preferred.
• Relevant experience in one or more utility functions; licensing is strongly desired
• Electrician
• Plumber
• Lineworker
• Commercial Driving (Class B)
• Hoisting (1C/2A)
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of electricity, water, and other utility metering concepts
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing and to interact confidently and effectively with utility customers, public officials, vendors, and staff.
• Ability to perform general math, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and calculating percentages and decimals.
• Ability to make decisions within recognized established procedures and prepare reports.
• Must have specialized training/certification in installing, removal, and testing of meters or the ability to obtain it within six months of hire.
• Familiarity with applicable safety standards, the APPA Safety Manual, OSHA 1910.269, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and National Electric Code (NEC) sections pertaining to electric utility work.
• First Aid, CPR, AED training, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Strong comfort with technology; ability to learn and use systems related to GIS, SCADA, and AMI.
• Establish and maintain residency within 40 minutes of the Utilities Office, with a reliable method of commuting. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license – Class C.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• The Meter Technician Role offers unique professional growth and improvement opportunities. We encourage and support our team members in their desire to enhance their skills and knowledge, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Familiarity with the local area is preferred.
• Speak with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and a well-modulated voice.

Tools & Equipment

Motorized vehicles and equipment, including pickup trucks and forklifts, as well as other equipment commonly used in plumbing and electrical operations like hand and power tools, amp and volt meters, computers, and common office equipment.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is frequently required to sit, climb, or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to sense odors to locate and/or diagnose problems.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent regularly works in outside weather conditions. The incumbent occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in confined spaces, and in high precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, traffic, toxic or caustic chemicals, the risk of electrical shock, and vibrations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud in the field. Occasional irregular hours responding to incidents and other emergency callouts as assigned.

Occasional periods spent outside are subject to weather conditions while inspecting or directing work, including prolonged periods of inclement weather during storm-related emergency situations.

Occasional exposure to loud noise, odors, fumes, gases, and airborne particles.

Frequent driving, walking, standing, climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, talking, hearing, reaching, and inspecting by hand or vision or smell; occasional requirements for sustained uncomfortable physical positions and operations of tools and equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.  The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.