Meter Reader

City-of-Vallejo-3; Vallejo (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Vallejo is seeking two full-time Meter Readers to read residential and commercial water meters on assigned routes, record consumption, and perform minor maintenance. The role requires following directions and learning meter reading methods, tools, and materials.

Experience in water meter reading and customer service is desirable. A valid driver's license is required. Work involves office and field settings, bending, lifting, and communicating with the public.

Qualifications

• Experience with water meter reading is desirable.
• Ability to follow directions and learn procedures.
• Customer service experience is desirable.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Read residential and commercial water meters using computerized equipment on assigned routes.
• Record readings and perform necessary calculations.
• Identify meter equipment problems and perform minor maintenance.
• Respond to customer requests, complaints and inquiries.
• Install and discontinue water services.
• Maintain accurate meter records.
• Work with the public and follow supervisory directions.

Skills

Meter reading

Customer service

Learn procedures

Computer literacy

Public interaction

Reading routes

Education

Driver's license

Reading and writing ability

Tools

Meter reading equipment

Computerized systems

Job description

THE POSITION

This recruitment is being conducted to fill two full-time vacancies. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full‑time, part‑time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year.

Meter Readers read residential and commercial water meters using computerized meter reading equipment on assigned routes, record consumption, identify water meter equipment problems, and perform minor water meter maintenance.

The ideal Meter Reader candidate will possess the ability to follow directions and learn the methods, techniques, tools, equipment, and materials used in the minor repair and installation of water meters. While not required, water meter reading experience and customer service experience responding to and resolving customer requests, complaints and inquiries are highly desirable.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Finance Department assists other departments in the City in meeting their service objectives by allocating and monitoring the City's financial resources, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and other financial transactions. The department monitors and reports on the financial position of the City, bills and collects most City revenues, provides treasury services and monitors the City's debt and trustee activity.

The Commercial Services division of the Finance Department is responsible for posting and depositing all monies collected within the City. The majority of the payments collected are for water billing and business license services. The Commercial Services division consists of business license, water billing, and meter reading personnel.

THE CITY OF VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 125,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148‑year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo’s delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer’s market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America’s only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Supervisor.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Read residential and commercial water meters using computerized meter reading equipment on assigned routes; record readings making necessary calculations.
• Determine consistency of meter readings and report unusual cases to a supervisor.
• Ensure that meters are registering properly and report to supervisor on meter conditions, defects or suspicious conditions.
• Provide water utility customer services including turn‑ons, turn‑offs, re reading meters and delivering notices including delinquent account notices.
• Perform customer account and meter maintenance of utility billing system.
• Respond to and resolve customer requests, complaints and inquiries.
• Install and discontinue water services.
• Perform minor meter maintenance and repair duties.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge of:

• General operational characteristics of water meters is desirable.
• Safe work practices.
• Basic mathematical principles.

Ability to:

• Learn to read a variety of water meters and record readings.
• Learn the methods, techniques, tools, equipment, and materials used in the minor repair and installation of water meters.
• Learn to use modern office equipment including a computer.
• Read and complete assigned daily meter routes.
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records.
• Deal tactfully with the public.
• Identify and repair minor water meter irregularities and recommend how they can be corrected.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Perform physically demanding aspects of reading water meters including bending, lifting and walking.
• Perform basic mathematic calculations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Guidelines

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

Experience:

Some experience in water meter reading is desirable.

Training:

Formal or informal education at a level which provides the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Working Conditions

Office and inspection site environment; exposure to dust and noise; some climbing, stooping, light lifting and inspecting in confined areas.

Recruitment + Selection Process

1. Applications are due by 5:00 P.M. Monday, August 31, 2026. Applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application, including all responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (Resume/Cover Letter Optional), by the posted deadline in order to be considered.

2. Applications will be screened for overall qualifications the week of August 31, 2025.

3. Candidates who are deemed to be the best qualified will be invited to take part in an assessment process which may consist of written, online, oral, or performance exercises. Candidates invited to the assessment process will be notified by email of the date, time, and location of the assessment the week of September 14, 2026.

4. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental responses scored by subject matter experts the week of September 21, 2026. The most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.

5. Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place the week of October 12, 2026. Oral Panel Interviews are weighted at 100% of the candidate’s score. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%. Those achieving 70% or higher will be placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year. The City reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to those determined to be best qualified based upon all requested application materials, including training and experience, current resume, and responses to supplemental questions.

6. Candidates placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) will be referred to the department for final interviews based on their performance in the exam. The number of candidates referred for a hiring interview is at the discretion of the hiring department.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Jannah Lunar‑Kaplli at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail] no later than August 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

PRIOR TO HIRE

The selected candidate will be required to: 1) Submit to reference checks 2) Submit to and successfully pass a pre‑employment background check, including fingerprint check. 3) Successfully complete a job‑related pre‑placement medical exam. 4) Provide proof of legal right to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers

All City of Vallejo (“City”) employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (“DSW”) by state law (California Government Code Section 3100‑3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW‑related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Veteran’s Preference

Veteran’s preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non‑job‑related factors.