Job Description

Water Meter Reader Temporary Position

Hourly Rate: $25.00

There is one (1) position available, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. This position is represented by the Teamsters union. Hours of work: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. This is a Limited Hour position; up to 27 hours per week.

Temporary employees with the City of Kent do not receive insurance or time off benefits outside of those which are legally mandated. In certain instances, temporary employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the State of Washington's Department of Retirement Systems.

General Purpose:

Under the direction of the Customer Services Manager, or designee, perform accurate water meter readings; maintain meter records; and repair and replace defective meters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Read residential, commercial, and industrial water meters on an assigned route and record readings using handheld meter-reading devices.
• Locate water meters that may be hidden under water, construction materials, dirt, or mud.
• Load meter readings into PC base system for processing of utility billings.
• Check for leaks, mis-readings, and non-functioning meters; prepare a list of defective meters; repair and replace meters from 3/4" to 2" in size; and replace broken meter box lids.
• Notify customers of possible service leaks; perform emergency turn offs; and perform delinquency notification and service turn offs.
• Provide a full range of customer service activities by interacting with the general public as well as internal customers in person, by telephone, and through written correspondence.
• Maintain City right-of-way to meters by clearing debris, clearing brush, grass, etc., and removing rocks and dirt from meters as needed.
• Perform meter audits.
• Prepare necessary records and reports concerning vehicle operation and maintenance.
• Drive City vehicle in a safe manner to meter routes.
• Actively support the vision, mission, values and behavior statements of the department and the City.

Peripheral Duties:

Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of meter sizes, types, and functions; proper and safe use of water meter reading tools and equipment; utility billing process; municipal government policies, procedures, and structure; applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances; modern office practices, procedures, and equipment; recordkeeping techniques; correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Skilled in accurately reading and recording meter readings into handheld computers; effective interpersonal relations using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Ability to learn the geography and street locations of the City; safely operate a motor vehicle; effectively deal with aggressive dogs and other animals in a manner that will not result in injury; develop and maintain effective relationships with other employees and the public; operate standard modern office equipment including a personal computer, related software, and other office machines and equipment; plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines; use proper telephone etiquette and techniques to properly assist a diverse assortment of inquiries and persons; interpret, apply, and explain general regulations, policies, and procedures related to area of work; read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; add, subtract, multiply, and divide; and compute fractions, rate, ratio, and percent; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; and deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations.

Education and Experience Required:

Education: High school diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent; and experience: One (1) year experience in meter reading and repair work at a level equivalent to a Meter Reader 1.

Or: In place of the above requirement, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Valid Washington State driver's license, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment
• Successful completion of the City's Defensive Driving Course within six (6) months of employment
• Valid First Aid/CPR Card, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment
• New employees must successfully pass the City's pre-employment driver's records check; and all employees must maintain an excellent driving record

Machines, Tools and Equipment Used:

Standard and specialized hand and power machines, tools, and equipment used in meter reading including, but not limited to, pipe wrenches, screw drivers, socket wrenches, crescent wrenches, meter keys, pry bars, meter reading hooks, rakes, shovels, clippers, loppers, hedge trimmers, edgers, bilge pumps, water scopes, and metal detectors/locators.

Other equipment used includes, but is not limited to, rain gear, canvas gloves, safety boots, and outdoor reflective vests.

Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, cellular phone, pager, fax machine, copy machine, and calculator.

The incumbent may also be required to operate a City vehicle to travel to and from meter routes.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk; and hear. The incumbent is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and type on keyboard. The incumbent must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

Work is usually performed in an outdoor environment, subject to emergency call-outs, and may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently exposed to a variety of hostile and unfriendly animals. The incumbent is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and occasionally works near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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