Purpose of Classification

The purpose of this classification is to respond to customer requested disconnect and reconnects and assist with mechanical work in the repair and maintenance of water meters, utility billing processes and cross connection and control. Employees in this classification are eligible for noncompetitive career ladder promotion to Utilities Meter Technician II after meeting the established career ladder requirements.

Essential Functions

The following duties and functions, as outlined herein, are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification.  They are not listed in any order of importance.  The omission of specific statements of the duties or functions does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned. 

Reads and records consumption of residential and commercial water meters with mobile and hand-held reading devices or on work orders; verifies that readings are within parameters and troubleshoots problems related to meters and reading equipment. 

Responds to customer service requests, not limited to: connections, disconnects, rereading meters, checking for leaks, etc. and may be required to respond to emergency callouts or assist the Field Operation crews with system repairs or other tasks. 

Posts notices at physical locations in regard to billing, customer information, encroachment issues and perform work required to keep meter pits accessible. 

Performs disconnect for non-payments and locks the meter as appropriate due to delinquency of account.  Checks for unauthorized usage and illegal hook-ups. Records findings and reports to Lead or Supervisor. 

Assists with backflow and cross-connection control program by verifying and recording backflow device information and reporting suspicious activity. 

Investigates water leaks at the meter to determine if issue is on city or customer side; informs customer or lead/supervisor of findings. Disconnect customer water as requested for necessary repair and/or maintenance work. 

Maintains records of reads, work performed and materials used. 

Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots various equipment and tools associated with work activities, which may include electronic meters, laptop computers, tablets, automated meter infrastructure (AMI) programming units, command links, hand-held computers, hand tools, and other various supplies.

Answers general questions regarding billing or other utilities-related subjects; provides information to the public related to water meters and utility billing. 

Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals. 

Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the department service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a team.  

Assists higher level Field Technician staff as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or valid equivalent; and
• Possess (or obtain within fourteen (14) days of hire) and maintain a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Minimum Qualifications for education and experience must be met before consideration of the following Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge and experience working in meter maintenance, utility customer service, or water distribution.  

Supplemental Information

Effectively communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, contractors, engineers, utility companies, vendors, outside agencies, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.   

Accurately and expeditiously receives and delivers messages and information to the appropriate individuals.   

Ability to prepare accurate and thorough written records and reports.   

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervisory direction.   

Ability to understand and quickly and accurately follow brief oral and written instructions on moderately complex matters.   

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with Supervisor, customers, other employees, other departments, other governmental and regulatory agencies, and the general public as needed. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge and ability to learn and operate various software utilized with the meter reading system.

Knowledge of Meter Reading & Services rules, regulations, policies, and operating procedures.

Knowledge of appropriate steps to take when shutting off and turning on a water meter.

Knowledge and ability to correctly operate and maintain equipment and tools associated with work activities.

Ability to accurately keep maintenance and calibration records, reports, and schedules.

Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations involving meter reading.

Ability to assist customers with questions and inquiries while in the field.

Ability to safely drive a variety of light duty vehicles.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

Physical Ability:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and may push, pull, grasp, lift and/or move objects and materials of moderate to heavy weight (up to 100 pounds), in accordance with OSHA guidelines.

Sensory Requirements: Tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals.  Tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors:  Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as odors, wetness, humidity, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, disease, or pathogenic substances.  Work is frequently performed outside in heat, high humidity, in cold, in rain and when other inclement weather conditions are present.  Work is performed in bright and dim light.

The City of Boynton Beach, Florida, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et. seq.), the City of Boynton Beach will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties.  All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat of significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.  Requirements are representative of the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and ability.

CAREER PATH ADVANCEMENT REQUIREMENT

The following requirements must be met to advance to Utilities Meter Technician II:  

• Must have a minimum of one (1) year of experience within the division.
• Must complete the level I general written and practical tests with a minimum score of 70% on each component. Employees who fail to obtain a minimum score of 70% will have a three (3) month waiting period to re-take the division area test.
• Must meet 100% of the level I KSA's and 70% of the level II KSA's 
• The above requirements for meeting the KSA's must be verified and documented by the supervisor.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE
 
Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority in the City’s hiring process. Additionally, certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements in employment by the City.