Meter Reader

THE POSITION

The Meter Reading Section of the Business Services Division is responsible for the collection of all Residential, Commercial and Irrigation meter reads in the City of Sacramento. The accurate collection of these reads is needed to help ensure proper billing. Driving, knowledge of the City streets, a heightened awareness of one’s surroundings while working in the field are essential functions of the Meter Reader’s position. Teamwork and exceptional interpersonal skills play an important role in meeting billing deadlines and communication is also key, as there is consistent interaction with customers.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will have experience in the following areas:
- Working independently out in the field in various, shifting environments.
- Driving City streets while collecting reads (Automated Meter Readings or AMR drive-by) and getting manual reads as needed.
- Problem solving and making minor repairs, if necessary, to meters.
- Notifying customers of potential meter reading related issues.
- Verifying information on work orders.
- Troubleshooting meter reading technology equipment.

DEFINITION

To read commercial water meters and record consumption; to identify water meter equipment problems; and to work with other technical personnel to resolve problems.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Direction is provided by a higher level supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Read water meters on assigned routes and record readings, making necessary calculations.
-Check to determine consistency of meter readings and report unusual cases to a superior.
-Discuss meter problems with supervisor.
-Check to see that meters are registering properly and report to supervisor on such conditions as meter being dead, upside down, running backwards,water being used without being recorded by the meter and other defects or suspicious conditions.
-Report to superior violations of the rules and regulations governing water consumption, conditions that may necessitate a change in rate for the service rendered, and defects in water meters.
-Identify address for new water utility billing.
-Tactfully respond to citizen inquiries and complaints.
-Assist in evaluating new meter products and provide input as to changes in current meter devices.
-Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

-City street and address system.
-A variety of meters and meter equipment and their respective functions.
-Public contact and customer service techniques and principles.

Ability to:

-Learn City billing procedures and policies of water utility services.
-Understand and carry out written and oral directions.
-Maintain accurate and up-to-date records.
-Deal tactfully with the public.
-Identify meter irregularities and recommend how they can be corrected.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

One year of experience involving public contact in the field or office.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Loss of the Class C is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• If you’re requesting Veteran’s credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the final filing deadline. Information regarding the use of Veteran’s credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule 4.9C.
• Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.

2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) - The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

• Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.

3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate’s eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Meter Reader examination.

4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)- All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information
Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 9/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Sacramento

Show more