First Class Substation Meter Technician

City-of-Martinsville; Martinsville (VA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Martinsville is seeking a First Class Substation Meter Technician in the Electric Department to install, repair, and test electric meters, relays, and substation equipment. The role involves work from poles, bucket trucks, and substations, often near energized lines, with safety as a priority.

The incumbent may supervise crew members in the supervisor's absence. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent with electrical training and substantial meter/substation

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with electrical training or completion of an electrician apprenticeship.
• Considerable experience in installation, maintenance, and testing of meters and substation equipment.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, program, and test electric meters and relays.
• Inspect and troubleshoot substation equipment.
• Respond to after-hours emergencies as needed.
• Maintain records and reports for Watt Substation and Hydro operations.
• Assist with supervision when acting crew supervisor is unavailable.

Skills

Electrical theory

Metering experience

Substation equipment

Safety procedures

Team leadership

After-hours response

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with electrical training

Tools

SCADA

Electrical testing equipment

Job description

Job Title: First Class Substation Meter Technician
Department: Electric
Reports To: Substation Metering Supervisor
Classification: Grade 14
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Minimum Starting Salary: $62,670.74

Nature of Work

This is skilled journeyman-level work involving the installation, repair, maintenance, programming, and testing of electric meters and relays, as well as the maintenance and monitoring of substation equipment. Work is performed from poles, bucket trucks, and within substations, often in proximity to energized high-voltage equipment.

Employees in this class regularly work on live electrical systems and may be exposed to adverse weather conditions and other hazardous environments. As such, strict adherence to safety procedures is essential to protect the employee, coworkers, and the public.

Work includes providing instruction and technical guidance to other substation and metering technicians and helpers. Assignments are carried out with considerable independence under general supervision, with work subject to inspection during progress and upon completion for quality, accuracy, and operational results. Employees bear significant responsibility for job performance outcomes and overall safety on assigned tasks.

Examples of Work

• Installs, maintains, programs, and tests all types of electric meters.
• Performs testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting of substation equipment.
• Investigates customer complaints and performs energy audits as needed.
• Installs, reads, and maintains large capacity meters; downloads hospital readings and prepares reports.
• Investigates power outages, determines causes, and takes corrective action to restore service.
• Performs line work as required and assists with maintenance and stocking of vehicles and equipment.
• Maintains accurate records, files, and system documentation.
• Downloads and prepares month-end reports for Watt Substation and Hydro operations.
• Conducts PCB testing, oil testing, and maintains associated records and documentation.
• Operates SCADA systems and performs switching operations in substations and on distribution lines.
• Serves as acting crew supervisor in the absence of the supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications of Work

• High school diploma or equivalent required, supplemented by technical training in electrical systems or completion of an electrician apprenticeship. Considerable experience in the installation, maintenance, and testing of meters and substation equipment is required, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of electrical theory as applied to metering, relay systems, and substations.
• Knowledge of tools, materials, equipment, and accepted practices used in electrical utility work.
• Knowledge of safety procedures associated with energized electrical systems and substations.
• Knowledge of first aid, including artificial respiration.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to work effectively in adverse weather and hazardous conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public.
• Ability and willingness to respond to after-hours emergency call-back situations.
• Ability to learn and perform advanced journeyman-level meter technician duties.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements described represent those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

While performing job duties, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands and arms for reaching and manipulation. The employee frequently climbs poles or structures up to 35–90 feet, and may work near high-voltage lines. The employee must frequently balance and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Regular lifting of up to 50 pounds is required, with occasional lifting to 100 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision. The employee must also have the ability to detect odors.

Work Environment

Work is performed in outdoor environments and utility facilities with exposure to varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, and wet conditions. The employee is regularly exposed to the risk of electrical shock, moving mechanical parts, and high, precarious work areas. Noise levels are frequently loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid Virginia Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or obtain one within six (6) months of employment.
• Must be able to respond to emergency call-back situations within 30 minutes.
• Must obtain certification in first aid and artificial respiration.
• Must obtain VDOT Flagger Certification within 90 days of hire.
• Required to complete SCADA training.
• May be required to obtain Substation School and Electric Meter School certifications.
• May be required to complete PCB training and related record-keeping coursework.

Disclaimer:

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change based on organizational needs. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Background Check Requirement

Completion of a background check is required as a condition of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Martinsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Drug-Free Workplace

The City of Martinsville is a Drug-Free Workplace. Post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when the criteria outlined in City policy are met.

E-Verify

The City of Martinsville participates in the Federal E-Verify Program.

Work Authorization

The City of Martinsville is currently unable to provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Recruiting Agencies

The City of Martinsville does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies, search firms, or independent recruiters. Resumes submitted without a signed recruiting agreement for a specific position will become the property of the City, and no placement fee will be paid.

Department: Electric
This is a full time position