Meter Reader

Washington Water Service; Los Altos (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service Group is seeking a Meter Reader to perform water meter reads for residential and commercial customers at a Los Altos, CA location. You will assist with routing new meters, assess meters for defects, and report tampering or cross-connections as needed.

The role requires good communication, basic math, a high school diploma, and a California driver’s license. Certification within 11 months is required; salary ranges from $30.69 to $35.05 per hour without certification,

Qualifications

• Must possess a High School diploma or equivalent.
• CA Class C Driver's license required and insurable.
• Must have basic reading/writing and math skills for reports and calculations.
• Knowledge of water quality parameters and NPDES basics is preferred; certification timely completion required.

Responsibilities

• Read water meters for residential and commercial customers.
• Assist with assigning new meters to routes and rerouting as needed.
• Investigate customer inquiries about high bills and water quality issues.
• Take corrective action and collect water samples as required.

Skills

Communication

Math skills

Reading & writing

Education

High school diploma

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Job description

California Water Service

Job Description:

California Water Service Group (Cal Water) invites you to build a meaningful career with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values-integrity, quality, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship-and is reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.

The Meter Reader (MR) obtains water meter reads for all commercial and residential customers at a designated location based upon a route; assists with assigning new meters to routes and reroutes as necessary; assess meters for defects; reports tampering and potential cross connection situations. This position is located in Los Altos, CA.

Essential Functions:

• Investigate customer inquiries regarding high bills and water quality issues
• Diagnose high/low pressure concerns; notify appropriate personnel when needed for repairs or further diagnostics; dirty water, hi/low pressure, no water, taste and odor, air
• Take corrective action based on findings
• Collect water samples throughout the distribution system as needed
• Verify status of existing fire services and read detector meter
• Flush mains to a minor extent or
• Understand cross‑connections

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• A MR must be able to effectively communicate with their supervisor, co-workers, and the public;
• Have the ability to perform basic mathematic functions to calculate figures; have the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Must possess a High School diploma or equivalent, a valid California Class C Driver's license, and be insurable under the Company's policy
• A MR must have a working knowledge of basic features of word processing programs (e.g., Microsoft Word) and electronic mail processing programs (e.g., Microsoft Outlook)
• A Meter Reader must be able to work with supervision and respond appropriately to feedback, evaluation coaching, counseling, and/or discipline
• The job entails an understanding and knowledge of water quality specifications for chlorine content, pH, water temperature, other essential water quality parameters, as well as National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) rules and regulations
• California State Water Distribution Operator II certification is required within 11 months of hire.**

Salary Range without certification:

• $30.69 - Step 1
• $31.99 - Step 2 (6 months)
• $33.17 - Step 3 (12 months)
• $35.05 - Step 4 (18 months)

Salary Range with certification.**

• $45.39 - Step 1
• $46.58 - Step 2 (6 months)
• $47.90 - Step 3 (12 months)
• $51.03 - Step 4 (18 months)

Deadline to submit resume is Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity. California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class. The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner. EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.