Meter Services Field Technician

About the Department

Under general supervision performs water and sewer service-related fieldwork as it relates to individuals’ residences, businesses or industries.  Has direct customer contact in the field and is responsible for maintaining or terminating services and resolving service-related issues. Performs the material and substantial duties of the classification more than 50% of the time.    

Position Duties

Performs fieldwork at residential, business, and industrial locations.  Meets with customers face-to-face to resolve water service-related issues.   Investigates possible leak situations; conducts final, annual and special water meter readings; installs and removes water meters from residential and business locations; measures pipes and plumbing for compatibility with meter installation; inspects defective and malfunctioning meters; verifies that installations meet published rules and regulations; programs and installs residential and commercial automated meter reading equipment, performs on-site repairs where possible(e.g. Meters, meter sets, curb boxes). Verifies correct meter installation at contractor installed locations, installs and repairs radio meters in residential, commercial and industrial meter pits, works as a team in servicing or repairing large meters in some industrial environments; suggests general repairs to customers.   Terminates/resumes water service resulting from delinquent accounts or emergency situations, jumps water from property to property etc. Performs minor repair to broken pipes, line leaks curb boxes, and ford boxes, performs special service calls that do not require meter changes (e.g., low pressure or dirty water complaints). 

Maintains service areas including meter pit lids and curb valve boxes; locates water mains, curb stops, ford boxes and water services using; metal detectors, utility locating equipment and GPS equipment to mark/find services.   Cleans Ford boxes and curb boxes using a vacuum truck unit, hand tools or other means.

Maintains accurate records of all work performed.    Communicates with office staff via cell phone, radio, in person or in writing.  Utilizes a laptop or other computer to verify information, complete work orders, audit meter routes, prepare spreadsheets for billing, or update billing software.  Also, obtains meter readings through a laptop for automated meter routes, handheld device or manually.

Tests meters for accuracy; repairs, cleans, and paints meters; rebuilds meters and installs new radio transmitters; programs and records meter information. Assists with maintaining shop area, crew/brake room and meters/parts inventories.

(Performs Related Duties as Required)

Minimum Qualifications

Equivalent to high school diploma; two (2) years full-time work experience interacting with the public in a customer service environment and two (2) years mechanical or plumbing maintenance experience; OR alternative, equivalent evidence of the Minimum Class Requirements.

Other Qualifications

Driving Requirement:  

Must maintain a current, valid State of Ohio driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.  

Training and Development:

Must pass the Ohio EPA Class I Water distribution exam OR obtain and maintain a Certificate of Competency in Backflow from OTCO within four (4) years of hire.