Senior Meter Services Technician (Division Promotional)

*This employment opportunity is only open to current City of Oxnard employees in the Water Division.*

The City of Oxnard's Public Works Department, Water Division, is seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Senior Meter Services Technician to lead and oversee the daily activities of the City's Meter Services team.

Under the general supervision of the Utilities Field Superintendent, the Senior Meter Services Technician will lead, plan, prioritize, assign, coordinate, and review the work of staff responsible for water meter reading, meter repair and replacement, customer field services, and related Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) activities.

This position will provide day-to-day leadership, technical guidance, and operational support to Meter Readers and Meter Repair Workers while serving as the primary coordinator for Meter Services field activities. The position requires a combination of field operations experience, technical knowledge, staff leadership, customer service, organization, and the ability to coordinate work across Meter Services, Utility Billing, Customer Service, Water Distribution, Water Quality, contractors, and equipment vendors.

The ideal candidate is an experienced water utility professional with hands-on knowledge of water meter operations, customer service, and demonstrated experience leading field personnel. The successful candidate will understand the relationship between meter reading, meter repair, AMI systems, customer accounts, and customer service. Provide clear direction to staff, maintain accountability for work completion, and assist employees with resolving complex customer issues. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with field staff, administrative personnel, customers, contractors, and vendors are essential. 

• Plan, prioritize, schedule, and assign daily work to Meter Readers and Meter Repair Workers; monitor workload, field progress, work quality, and completion of assigned work.

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, training, and technical guidance to assigned staff; identify training needs and ensure employees follow City policies, operating procedures, and safe work practices.

• Oversee meter reading activities including rereads, consumption investigations, surveys, customer notices, delinquent service closures, initial and final reads, service turn-ons, recycled water meter readings, standby lists and related field activities.

• Oversee meter service and repair activities including leak investigations, customer appointments, meter repair and replacement, large-meter service closures, meter removals and reinstallations, meter box and vault conditions, Metron book readings, hydrant meter readings, hydrant meter installation and relocation, pressure testing, and response to no-water and discolored-water complaints.

• Coordinate the investigation and resolution of AMI system alarms and meter communication issues, including endpoint tamper alarms, encoder communication errors, empty-pipe conditions, reverse-flow conditions, meter and endpoint troubleshooting, equipment replacement, programming, and warranty returns.

• Assign and coordinate customer service requests and field investigations received from Utility Billing, Customer Service, administrative staff, and other Water Division personnel.

• Provide field staff with account information, meter history, service information, equipment data, and other technical or operational support needed to complete field assignments.

• Coordinate customer appointments and assist with escalated customer concerns involving water use, potential leaks, meter operation, water pressure, service interruptions, and other Meter Services activities.

• Review customer water-use and AMI information to assist with leak investigations and customer inquiries.

• Coordinate with contractors and customers regarding hydrant meters, temporary connections, jumpers, and other Meter Services activities.

• Ensure daily meter routes are properly downloaded, distributed, completed, reviewed, and uploaded and that exceptions or incomplete work are appropriately addressed.

• Ensure service orders are completed and closed accurately and that meter numbers, endpoint numbers, service information, and other account data are properly updated in applicable City systems.

• Maintain operational logs, customer call records, Water Quality Call forms, service activity records, fixed-fee records, meter and endpoint warranty documentation, and other required operational documentation.

• Coordinate closely with Utility Billing and Customer Service staff to resolve account discrepancies, meter issues, service status questions, customer complaints, and other matters requiring field investigation or technical support.

• Monitor staff equipment, tools, safety equipment, footwear, supplies, meters, endpoints, and other operational needs and make recommendations to the Utilities Field Superintendent regarding replacement or purchasing needs.

• Conduct or coordinate safety meetings and job-specific training and reinforce compliance with established safety requirements and work practices.

• Respond to emergency conditions and support standby and after-hours response activities as assigned.

• Prepare operational information and reports related to Meter Services workload, completed service orders, outstanding work, customer calls, meter replacements, AMI issues, and other performance measures.

• Assist the Utilities Field Superintendent with staffing needs, operational planning, procedures, special projects, customer escalations, and other Meter Services activities.

PAYROLL/CLASSIFICATION TITLE: 

Utilities Field Supervisor

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification is distinguished from the Utilities Field Specialist in that it oversees the work of assigned staff and performs the most advanced work of those supervised.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED / SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Incumbents may serve as a lead worker, assigning work and monitoring work completion. Receives general supervision on routine items which are performed according to established standards and procedures and receives specific work instruction regarding non-routine matters and deadlines.

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Oversees and schedules repairs, maintenance, and installation work in assignment area; monitors and ensures safe work practices are followed; performs advanced, technical repairs and maintenance work, as required; coordinates activities and schedules with contractors, vendors, and other service providers.

• Receives and responds to citizen complaints and concerns; conducts investigations and identifies issues; determines maintenance and operational requirements; recommends and implements solutions to resolve problems and issues.

• Monitors and maintains equipment, materials, and supplies inventory; recommends and implements inventory decisions to meet maintenance and repair requirements.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma or GED 

EXPERIENCE:

•  Five (5) years of related utilities maintenance and/or repair experience that may include specialized vocational training.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid California Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be a current City of Oxnard employee in the Water Division 

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing

HIGHLY DESIRABLE: 

• Experience with AMI systems, customer information systems, electronic work orders, meter and endpoint troubleshooting

• Experience with water meter repair and replacement 

APPLICATION PROCESS: 

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application. 
• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required. 
• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents. 

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. 

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, and temporary assignments. There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy within the Public Works Department, Water Division. 

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough reference check and background investigation. Some positions that work with or have access to the Police Department may require a polygraph exam. Select positions may require candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical and/or psychological evaluation. 

UNION MEMBERSHIP:
Positions in this classification are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

NOTE: 
For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12-month probationary period. Internal applicant probationary periods will be governed by the applicable MOU.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.

This position is governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: 
The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodations for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date.  Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT:
On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify. 

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Vivian Morales at [email protected]. 

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.   Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.