Meter Technician

Meet Santa Margarita Water District 

Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region’s largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters.

Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD’s goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies. 

Santa Margarita Water District’s values include: 

• Exemplary service excellence 
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive 
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency 
• Environmental and resource stewardship 
• Employee development and leadership training 
• Building relationships that strengthen communities 

The Santa Margarita Water District is looking for an individual who is customer focused and has excellent communication skills. Detailed information regarding essential functions, requisite abilities and additional information regarding this exciting job opportunity are listed below.

JOB SUMMARY 

Under direct supervision, responsible for meter reading assigned routes, installation, testing, replacement and repair of all size meters, in the field for domestic, untreated and recycled water distribution systems and for maintaining all District meter information databases.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

A Meter Technician is the entry level class of this series characterized by the performance of tasks of limited scope, involving practical application of knowledge and skills.

This position reports to the Customer Service Field Supervisor and is distinguished from the Sr. Meter Technician in that an incumbent in the latter class has more discretion and is fully competent to independently perform all duties.

Essential Functions:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS 

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Operate a vehicle and a variety of hand tools and test equipment related to the work.
2. Operates vehicles in performing assignments; ensures assigned vehicle is checked for proper fuel and fluid levels; inspects and fuels vehicle; reports any inoperable deficiencies through daily trip logs.
3. Reads residential, commercial and industrial meters on varying assigned routes; locates meters and records readings within a set timeframe.
4. Reviews meter readings to ensure accuracy of readings and that high and low usage amounts recorded fall within historical consumption limits, requesting rereads when appropriate; investigates “bill pending” accounts generated by the Customer Service department.
5. Uncovers meters and digs out meter box and removes debris; requests rereads when obstacles prevent reading.
6. Keeps accurate records of readings and other data collected in conformance with department procedures.
7. May maintain, adjust and replace residential water meters in the field and shop.
8. Trains others to read meters and operate meter reading equipment.
9. Installs, maintains, tests, calibrates, repairs, troubleshoots and makes recommendations for modification to all sizes (5/8″ to 36″) and types of District meters including: positive displacement, turbine, single jet and propeller.
10. Reads and interprets blueprints and installation manuals for metering systems and provide technical support and advice to other departments or outside customers.
11. Coordinates with electrical and other departments regarding type of equipment and parts needed.
12. Performs preventive and demand maintenance on all District meters utilizing the CMMS computerized program, including completing work orders online.
13. Diagnoses meter failures and repairs/preplaces as appropriate.
14. Provides miscellaneous support to other Operations crews regarding any systems maintenance.
15. Ensures maintenance of stock and supply of meters and meter repair parts.
16. Advises and requests from supervisor, requisition of supplies, materials, tools and equipment.
17. Coordinates with Engineering Department on new meter installations with customers, contractors and developers for recycles and domestic water meters 2″ and smaller.
18. Ensures customer and interdepartmental coordination of water interruption to perform meter maintenance.
19. Complies with District de-chlorination procedures.
20. May be required to participate in District Standby Program.
21. Complies with District safety rules and regulations and attends applicable safety training.
22. Performs other duties as required.
23. Inspects assigned vehicle and ensures that condition of vehicle meets the District’s safety standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education, Training and Experience: 

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. One year of experience reading meters and testing or replacing/repairing or calibrating meters (5//8″ through 36″) in either the field or shop settings is preferred.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: 

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program.

California State Water Resources Control Board Grade 1 Water Distribution Certificate.

Ability to: 

1. Safely operate a District vehicle on city streets and freeways.
2. Effectively communicate both orally and in writing
3. Communicate effectively with all levels including customers, office/field employees, management, and vendors.
4. Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with customers, outside contractors and agency officials.
5. Advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
6. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.
7. Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.
8. Exercise independent judgment when making decisions involving specific job functions, shutdowns and most efficient utilization of staff and equipment in absence of Supervisor.
9. Add, subtract, multiply and divide.
10. Calculate water formulas and interpret applicable tables and charts; knowledge of algebra.
11. Practice safe work methods in the course of work.

Knowledge of:

1. Traffic control practices and requirements.
2. Methods and procedures used in pulling and repairing large meters and other equipment.
3. Safe Drinking Water Act and other relevant local, state and federal law and regulations.
4. Safety policies, procedures and safe work practices applicable to assignment including OSHA regula­tions.
5. Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
6. Records management, recordkeeping, filing and basic purchasing practices and procedures.
7. Uses and operations of computers, and preventive maintenance data base programs.

Additional Information:

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS 

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

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; climb or balance on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and smell. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds and frequently up to 100 pounds with assistance. The employee must frequently walk up to 8 miles a day.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Employees in this class may be periodically required to wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). In accordance with OSHA regu­la­tions, employees are prohibited from having facial or head hair that impairs the effec­tiveness of respirator equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable indivi­duals with disabili­ties to perform essential duties of the class as they relate to this require­ment.

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses shop math; learns and applies new information and skills; responds to emergency situations; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works in a shop and field environment where the noise level is usually moderate. The employee works in outdoor weather conditions; extreme heat or cold; wet, humid conditions; in confined spaces; precarious places; on uneven or slippery surfaces; near mov­ing mechanical parts; near moving equipment; and near heavy traffic. The employee is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and biological hazards. The employee is occasionally exposed to loud or prolonged noise and equipment with heavy vibrations. The employee may be exposed to environmental factors such as toxic agents and wildlife.

The employee may be required to work various shifts and standby at night, on weekends and holidays as needed.