Meter Technician

Job Title

Under limited supervision, plans and oversees assigned water meter servicing activities including operation and maintenance of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Program. Performs specialized repair on meter components, responds to concerns from water system customers and the general public, and assists in the support of the County's AMI Program. Provides proactive maintenance and expansion of monitored networks and systems with the goal of establishing and maintaining a specified level of service and read rate. Reports to the Foreman/Crew Leader.

Special Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists in mapping out geographic work plans, determines best geographic locations for installation of AMI infrastructure for the existing metering system.
• Evaluates the operation of water meters, diagnoses and remedies operational problems.
• Records inventory, commissions, installs, activates meters and completes work orders for new connection installations utilizing Cityworks, Mueller's Network Management Tool (NMT) application, Sentryx and MiTech Mobile App.
• Completes work orders, service requests, and/or inspections for all work activities through the County's computerized maintenance and management system, CityWorks and Sentryx.
• Builds relationships with Mueller AMI network contacts in order to become an effective partner and implement required actions to keep the County's AMI network at the standard read rate.
• Works in Mueller's Network Management Tool (NMT) and Mueller's Sentryx Program daily, including but not limited to monitoring and responding to alerts.
• Directs and provides feedback on root-cause analysis and other problem-solving activities to identify effective corrective actions and process improvements to achieve the standard read rate within the County's AMI network.
• Develops, manages, and maintains a yearly AMI Infrastructure Inspection Program.
• Performs maintenance and repairs on meter barrels, lids, collars, nodes, and other components on existing metering infrastructure.
• Performs flow and meter tests on meters for service requests sent by Utilities Customer Service.
• Receives readings for service orders related to move-ins and move-outs.
• Cuts the flow of water off and on as directed, scheduled or as necessary.
• Responds to and reports customer complaints. Works to educate customers on program policies and procedures.
• Manually reads water meters when required.
• Works collaboratively with the other staff members by providing feedback and quantifiable data from the field in order to drive improvements and quality.
• Monitors and reacts to key performance indicators in order to drive positive team performance.
• Participates in solution-driven discussions to identify new problem areas and help support efficiency.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Training & Experience

High School Diploma or equivalent, one (1) to two (2) years of experience in meter installation and servicing, GIS mapping, computer programs, or any equivalent combination of training or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities. Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Must obtain OSHA 10 Hour Certification within one (1) week of hire. Additional safety training includes:

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Chain saw safety
• Confined spaces
• CPR / First Aid
• Emergency Action
• Fall Prevention / Walking working surfaces
• Fire Prevention and Extinguisher use
• Hazard Communication
• Lock Out / Tag Out Control of Hazardous Energy
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Summer / Wintertime – working safely outside
• Trenching and Excavation
• VDOT Basic Workzone
• Workplace Violence / Active Shooter
• Other safety topics as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong knowledge of troubleshooting best practices and standards. Knowledge of computerized meter reading and programming devices. Knowledge in the standard methods, materials and equipment employed reading, and repairing water meters. Knowledge of the geographical layout of the County. Solid technical, analytical, and project management skills. Strong communication, presentation, and leadership skills. Ability to conduct meter readings and to document findings. Ability to understand and follow oral instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments. Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from supervisor. Ability to read work orders, street maps, forms, repair manuals, water and sanitary sewer plans, and other reference documents. Ability to prepare work orders and records of meter readings. Ability to apply principles of common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations. Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, respectfully and efficiently in standard English. Ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress.