Meter Reader

POSITION TITLE: Meter Reader (Hourly)
REQUISITION #: req8011
DEPARTMENT: Utility Tech. & Cust. Service
LOCATION: 222 LAPORTE
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly
HOURLY RATE: $21.00 - 23.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/4/2025.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check and Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) required.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Potential for paid personal leave and paid holidays

- Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, and financial assistance

- Wellness program, workout facilities

- Personal & professional learning opportunities plus potential for career mobility

- Collaborative work environment

SUMMARY: Represents the utilities in field contacts and responds to customer inquiries. Reads multiple types of utility meters and records readings on an electronic handheld device to determine usage for billing residential and commercial customers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Walks or drives truck over established meter reading routes and records readings on meter dials on an electronic handheld device.
• Represents the utilities in field contacts and responds to customer inquiries.
• Visually inspects meters and connections for defects, damage, and unauthorized connections and reports irregularities.
• Monitors automated systems and evaluates customer accounts for payment delinquency.
• Coordinates disconnection of metered utility services via automated systems or manually for nonpayment
• Disconnects and reconnects metered services via automated systems.
• Coordinates in-person or written customer communications as an alternative process for utility
• Obtains and verifies standard manual utility meter readings.
• May coordinate customer account information with the City's collection agency.
• Re-sequences new meters into existing routes or create new routes.
• Occasionally assists with service order processing by obtaining change of account meter readings.
• Provides customer service by answering questions, providing information and referrals, and resolving complaints and problems.
• Uses electronic devices for communication, email, text, pictures, and software programs.
• Follows City, APPA, and Electric Utility personnel safety regulations and procedures.
• Maintains records, documents, maps, and databases. Tracks and reports on performance metrics.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the necessary functions of this position.

• Ability to operate and maintain vehicle.
• Ability to walk long distances.
• Knowledge of data entry and basic math skills.
• Ability to demonstrate customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of City utility rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of City Street geography and utility service areas.
• Ability to operate electronic handheld meter reading device.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or GED; eighteen months experience in a customer service-oriented position; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication and customer service skills, with ability to deescalate tense customer interactions.
• Collaborates with colleagues and contributes ideas for process improvements.
• Demonstrates flexibility and ability to set priorities, work under pressure, handle a multitude of details with efficiency and clarity, while serving as a member of cross departmental teams.
• Defuses and deescalates dissatisfied customers and situations.
• Maintains highest standards of honesty and integrity.
• Implements decisions using good judgment and knowledge of the organization's policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of OSHA and DOT standards.
• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of specialized tools and equipment to perform daily tasks.
• Ability to use electronic devices for communication, email, text, pictures, and software programs.
• Ability to read maps, blueprints, and construction plans on paper and on computers.
• Knowledge of basic math skills and data entry skills.
• Knowledge of and fully qualified to safely work in and around energized high voltage equipment.
• Proficient in technology applications.
• Ability to meet service levels, metrics and deadlines with limited supervision.
• Ability to acquire knowledge of department-related City ordinances, policies, procedures, regulations and laws, as well as of the services and products offered by Utilities.
• Ability and licensure to operate and maintain a city vehicle, including during inclement weather conditions.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The demands on the visual sense are very high. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee would encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to inclement weather conditions and extreme cold and extreme heat. The employee is frequently exposed to potential injury from domestic animals, i.e., dogs. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work is usually moderate to high.

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

POST OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK & MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT REQUIRED.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.