Meter Reader

City of Tulare; Tulare (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Tulare seeks a Meter Reader to read meters and troubleshoot AMI devices, supporting accurate billing and strong customer service. You will work in the field, navigate varied terrains, and use handheld devices to record data.

Responsibilities include installing and maintaining meters, activating services, handling disconnects, and resolving issues while prioritizing safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.
• 1 year of experience in mechanical maintenance, field customer service or construction.
• Valid Class C California driver license or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Read water meters with handheld devices and AMI systems for billing.
• Install, program, test, troubleshoot and maintain meter boxes and transmitters.
• Connect/disconnect services, investigate leaks, and post notices.
• Operate and maintain assigned vehicle and follow safety practices.

Skills

Meter reading devices

Customer service

Technical aptitude

Safety procedures

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

AMI systems

Handheld meters

Meter reading software

Job description

Love working outdoors and solving problems? Become our next Meter Reader!

If you want an active, independent career out in the community, this is your opportunity. We are seeking a dependable professional to serve as the vital link between our City’s water infrastructure and our residents.

In this role, you will blend hands‑on mechanical work with modern tech—using Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to troubleshoot equipment, ensure billing accuracy, and help customers solve water system issues. If you take pride in precision and want a stable career with a direct public impact, we want you on our team!

Key Responsibilities

• Tech-Driven Fieldwork: Navigate varied terrains in all weather conditions to read meters and record data using advanced handheld computers and AMI systems.
• Hands-on Infrastructure Care: Install, program, test, troubleshoot, and perform routine maintenance on water meter boxes, transmitting devices, and related equipment.
• Service Operations: Actively connect and disconnect water services, resolve public complaints, investigate leaks or meter tampering, and post official notices.
• Vehicle & Safety Management: Safely operate, inspect, and maintain your assigned City truck and tools while utilizing safe driving and traffic control practices.

Position Requirements

• Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.
• Experience: At least one (1) year of experience in mechanical maintenance, field customer service involving public contact, or general construction. Experience with water utility systems or meter reading equipment is highly desirable.
• License: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.
• Physical & Environmental Capability: Ability to handle medium‑to‑heavy physical work (lifting up to 20 lbs routinely), walk extensively in operational areas, work in confined spaces, and work comfortably outdoors amidst varied weather, noise, and environmental elements.
• Core Competencies: Strong shop arithmetic skills, technical aptitude with hand/power tools, independent judgment, and a knack for providing high‑level customer service with tact and discretion.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a skilled level classification responsible for connecting and/or disconnecting water services, setting, maintaining, repairing and reading meters, collecting delinquent bills, and inspecting consumer property for leaks and other billing related issues. Responsibilities require the use of tact, discretion, and independent judgment and interaction with the public. Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner and performing a wide variety of tasks in the installation, maintenance and repair of water meter boxes and related equipment. This class is distinguished from Water Utility Maintenance Worker series in that the latter is responsible for performing the installation, repair, construction, and maintenance of the City’s water distribution system and related appurtenances. This class is further distinguished from the Accounting Technician I in that it is required to work in the field obtaining readings and maintaining the meters.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Water Utility Supervisor. No direct supervision of staff is exercised.

(Illustrative Only) Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Reads water meters in varied terrains and in all weather conditions; records figures using handheld computers or in meter books for billing purposes.
• Performs a variety of skilled duties in support of the Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) including reading, building, programming, installing, activating, inspecting, diagnosing, replacing, and routing AMI meters and/or registers.
• Utilizes AMI software to install, program, read, troubleshoot, diagnose, inspect, and replace AMI meters and transmitting devices.
• Activates, programs and troubleshoots handheld meter reading devices; loads meter reading routes and maps with meter locations onto device.
• Reconciles discrepancies between computer records and physical meters in the field.
• Disconnects/connects customer services by turning meter and or service off/on using a list of delinquent accounts, payment, and new services.
• Ensures that customer issues related to the AMI and metering system are investigated and addressed in a timely manner.
• Assists in assignment of new meters to routes and updates sequential order of meters within routes.
• Performs input/output to the computer; uploads and downloads data to/from hand-held meter reading units.
• Checks for leaks or broken meters, reports water use violations, evidence of tampering, and assists customers in resolving water volume and pressure problems.
• Observes condition of meter or other unusual conditions relative to need for repair; maintains meters, boxes, lids and landscape around meter boxes.
• Operates a variety of tools and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of water meters.
• Makes field repairs to water meters and performs routine maintenance.
• Generates requests to Maintenance and Operations for larger repairs.
• Performs safety and service inspections of assigned truck and equipment; steam clean, wash, and fuel vehicle.
• Responds to customer complaints and/or requests for service; maintain simple records and logs; complete reports as necessary.
• Reads and interprets maps and diagrams in the performance of the work.
• Posts non-payment notices, sign-ups or shut-down notices.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of meter reading devices as well as sizes and types of water meters.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures for installing, testing, maintaining, and repairing water meters.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and power equipment.
• Basic traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.
• Shop arithmetic.
• Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Basic computer software related to work, including handheld computer devices for meter reading purposes.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Learn and acquire knowledge of meter reading devices, the sizes and types of water meters, and the methods and procedures for installing, testing, maintaining, and repairing water meters.
• Install, read, and repair a variety of styles of water meters.
• Post data accurately on forms and prepare simple records.
• Read and interpret street maps.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and one (1) year of experience in mechanical maintenance, field customer service involving public contact, or general construction work, preferably involving the operation and maintenance of water utility systems or meter reading equipment.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders, and operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above‑mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 20 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.