WATER TECHNICIAN I (SEASONAL/TEMPORARY) WATER

City of Manchester, NH; Manchester (NH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Manchester, NH is hiring for a Water Meter Reader position. The role involves reading water meters, collecting consumption data, and supporting billing operations along a route that may include walking, cycling, or driving to access meters at homes and businesses.

The job requires the ability to work outdoors, adapt to weather, and maintain accurate records. Training is provided; a valid driver’s license and certification requirements apply.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of city geography and service area required or able to learn quickly.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally.
• Capable of walking long distances and enduring outdoor conditions.
• Experience in customer service is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Reads meters electronically on assigned route for billing data.
• Walks, drives, or bikes routes to access meters on homes and businesses.
• Checks equipment and assists with leaks as directed.
• Tests backflow prevention devices.
• Explains department policies to home and business owners.
• Notifies Water Works personnel of damages or issues.
• Cleans and services meters as needed and assists with repairs.
• Participates in route planning for safety and efficiency.
• Interacts with the public and other city staff professionally.

Skills

Geographic knowledge

Communication skills

Endurance for long walks

Customer service

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Handheld meter-reading device

Personal computer

Job description

Career Opportunities with City of Manchester, NH

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Reads meters of Manchester Water Works customers; performs directly related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to collect data pertinent to water service from Water Works customers. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Water Technician Supervisor but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in an outdoor work environment, involving the use of vehicles, bicycles, and walking to cover up to ten miles of City roadways per day.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK:

• Reads meters electronically on assigned route to collect water consumption information used in customer billing operations;
• Walks, drives, or bicycles assigned route, as expedient, to access water meters on the inside or outside of homes and businesses;
• Checks installed City equipment and, upon request, troubleshoots private plumbing systems for leaks;
• Tests backflow prevention devices;
• Explains Water Department policies and procedures to home and business owners as requested;
• Notifies appropriate Water Works personnel of any damages/broken meters;
• Cleans and services meters in the repair shop as needed;
• Participates in the setting of heavy meters with Water Technician III’s;
• Determines shortest, most efficient, and safest routes possible in transportation operations, obeying all traffic laws and monitoring other traffic;
• Collects monies for delinquent accounts and terminates service as required;
• Delivers collected payments to the Finance Department;
• Performs snow removal around hydrants;
• Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions;
• Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions;
• Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments;
• Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly;
• Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and
• Performs additional duties as required by the classification.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of (or the ability to quickly learn) the geographical layout of the City of Manchester and surrounding service area;
• Substantial knowledge of the functions of meter reading operations;
• Some knowledge of Water Department goals and policies;
• Ability to walk long distances (up to ten miles) and maintain assigned schedules in extreme weather conditions;
• Ability to deal with a wide range of persons, including situations in which individuals may be upset over some issue involved with Water Works activities and policies;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Graduation from High School or possession of a GED; and
• Zero to two years of experience in related operations, preferably with some customer service component; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid Driver’s License;
• New England Water Works Association, Inc. (NEWWA) Backflow Prevention Device Inspector Certification.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to monitor activities in assigned area;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to drive a vehicle, operate a handheld meter reading machine, and use related equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to turn, reach and grasp repetitively;
• Sufficient strength and endurance, with or without reasonable accommodation to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, through a full range of motion, up to 50 pounds occasionally, 30 pounds frequently and 20 pounds consistently;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to walk long distances, ride a bicycle, operate a vehicle, and have access to all areas of the City and surrounding service area.