Meter Reader

Job description

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team! About Essential Utilities Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. The Meter Reader performs a variety of jobs necessary, but not limited to, reading and recording water usage from customer water meters. Completes daily meter reading route and performs other activities as needed to update and maintain accurately functioning meters in customer homes and businesses. ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (Primary Duties and Responsibilities) Accurately reads and records water meters for billing purposes with hand- held meter reading devices on designated routes. Checks meters and reports inoperable, damaged or missing meter boxes. Replaces inoperable meters. Assists in completing service orders as needed. Performs minor renovations of meters and meter boxes, reports vandalism to supervisor and maintains records accordingly. Performs bench tests of meters at customer's re quests. Initiates work orders for water leaks and meter replacements. Cleans meter boxes and surrounding areas. Ensures the cleanliness and maintenance of company- assigned vehicle, tools and/or equipment. Adheres to departmental safety and security operating processes, procedures, and standards. Always maintains a safe working environment and reports safety violations to supervisor. Documents all work activities, e.g. closes work orders in accordance with departmental guidelines. Represents the company in interactions with customers and the public following best practices and providing best-in-class customer service. Maintains and searches for new methods of increasing productivity and quality in the most cost-effective manner within the department. Makes recommendations to management as needed. Performs other duties or special projects as requested. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s). QUALIFICATIONS: High school graduate or GED equivalent Experience in the water works field preferred but not required. A valid U.S. driver’s license KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Basic mathematical skills to enable computation of past/present meter readings to determine customer usage Knowledge of and familiarity with the safe and practical use of simple equipment and/or hand tools including wrenches, shovels, etc. Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely and professionally) with customers. Position has direct customer contact and must deal effectively with others Strong customer service skills Ability to work well under pressure Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment WORKING CONDITI O NS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS: May be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and/or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions. Stooping, kneeling, continuous walking and lifting of objects up to 50 lbs. See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity. Operate standard office equipment. Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other customer homes and businesses along assigned routes Must be available to work overtime and handle emergency on-call duties. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012). To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to: Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship Family members cannot work in the same department.