JOB SUMMARY
This position performs technical and field duties related to the operation, maintenance, and accuracy of the City’s water metering system. Responsibilities include reading, installing, testing, repairing, and replacing water meters; connecting and disconnecting water services; investigating irregular readings, high consumption, leaks, and other service-related issues; maintaining accurate meter and work records; and assisting customers with water service concerns. The position also performs water system maintenance activities, operates assigned vehicles and equipment, and responds to routine and emergency service needs.
MAJOR DUTIES
- Reads, inspects, tests, installs, removes, and replaces residential, commercial, and large water meters, registers, endpoints, and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) equipment.
- Connects and disconnects water service at the meter in accordance with established procedures, safety standards, and utility requirements.
- Tests meter accuracy and performance and verifies proper programming, operation, communication, and compliance with established standards.
- Investigates meter and consumption irregularities, including high usage, misreads, zero consumption, abnormal patterns, billing discrepancies, and AMI data issues.
- Troubleshoots AMI communication problems, including non-transmitting meters, failed endpoints, intermittent communication, weak signals, missing reads, and inaccurate electronic data.
- Uses AMI software, handheld devices, mobile applications, and electronic equipment to obtain, verify, record, and transmit meter and field information.
- Maintains accurate records and data for meter readings, meter numbers, endpoints, customer accounts, locations, installations, replacements, inspections, and work performed.
- Investigates, locates, and troubleshoots private and public water leaks, including AMI leak alerts, continuous flow, reverse flow, and other system notifications.
- Repairs leaks and reports unresolved water, meter, or AMI issues requiring additional maintenance, technical support, vendor assistance, or supervisor review.
- Provides professional customer service by meeting with customers, explaining meter and consumption issues, investigating concerns, and assisting with resolution.
- Installs and maintains backflow-prevention devices, risers, meter boxes, valves, registers, endpoints, and related meter components.
- Performs water-system and site restoration activities, including flushing mains and service connections and restoring landscaping, pavement, and areas disturbed during meter work.
- Performs quality-control and field verification checks to ensure accurate meter readings, correct account assignments, proper AMI communication, programming, and reliable data transmission.
- Safely operates, inspects, and maintains assigned vehicles, tools, testing equipment, AMI equipment, and other field resources.
- Responds to emergency meter, leak, water-service, and system-related situations, including after-hours emergencies when assigned, and participates in systemwide meter replacement projects.
- Completes assigned routes, work orders, special projects, and production goals within established timeframes while maintaining accurate documentation, data integrity, safety, and quality standards.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
- Knowledge of water meter installation, testing, maintenance, repair, and replacement procedures.
- Knowledge of water meters, registers, endpoints, valves, fittings, backflow devices, and related components.
- Knowledge of water meter operations and electronic meter-reading equipment and technology.
- Knowledge of computers, handheld devices, mobile applications, and job-related software.
- Knowledge of methods used to investigate high consumption, misreads, zero usage, abnormal readings, and other meter irregularities.
- Knowledge of water service systems and methods used to identify and troubleshoot private and public water leaks.
- Knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, operating standards, and safe work practices.
- Skill in accurately collecting, verifying, recording, and maintaining meters, customer account, and work-order information.
- Skill in installing, testing, troubleshooting, repairing, and replacing water meters and related equipment.
- Skill in safely operating and maintaining assigned vehicles, tools, testing equipment, and field resources.
- Skill in providing professional customer service and communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Skill in problem-solving, exercising sound judgment, maintaining attention to detail, and appropriately escalating unresolved issues.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The Utility Meter Coordinator assigns and prioritizes work and provides general instructions and operational guidance. The employee performs routine assignments independently and exercises judgment in addressing meter, water service, and customer-related concerns. The supervisor reviews completed work for accuracy, quality, and compliance with established procedures. Unusual or unresolved issues are referred to the supervisor for guidance or further action.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
- The work consists of water meter reading, installation, testing, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and related water service duties. The need to identify meter and consumption irregularities, respond to varying field conditions, and resolve service-related issues contributes to the position's complexity.
- The purpose of this position is to support accurate and reliable water meter operations through meter reading, installation, maintenance, field investigation, and customer service. Successful performance contributes to accurate meter data and billing, timely resolution of service concerns, and effective delivery of water services.
CONTACTS
- Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city personnel, customers, and the general public.
- Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, or to resolve problems.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The work is performed while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and climbing. The employee frequently lifts, carries, moves, and handles meter lids, water meters, tools, equipment, and other objects of varying weights, and uses tools and equipment that require manual dexterity and coordination.
- The work is primarily performed outdoors in varying weather and field conditions. The employee may be exposed to heat, cold, rain, noise, dust, dirt, mud, grease, insects, traffic, uneven terrain, standing water, moving equipment, chemicals, and other conditions associated with water meter and utility field operations.
- The work requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, which may include safety vests, gloves, protective footwear, safety glasses or goggles, masks, and other protective devices as required.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
None.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- More than one year of water/sewer-related experience required.
- Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
- Possession of a valid (Class C) driver’s license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
- Must be available to work extended hours as needed in response to normal operations, monthly meter reading, and emergencies.
- Must successfully pass criminal background, credit, and motor vehicle check.
- Must successfully pass post-offer drug screening and physical.
* * * * The City of Smyrna is an Equal Opportunity Employer * * * *
Req 441006-7
