Service Technician

The City of Ottawa is recruiting for a Service Technician. The Service Technician completes service work orders, performs management, implementation, and analysis of the Smart Meter program, connects and disconnects utility services, and reads water and electric meters for accurate recording and billing. Responsibilities also include regular flow testing of fire hydrants, exercising water utility valves, and providing customer service.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage, implement, and analyze the AMI Smart Meter program.
• Read water and electric meters accurately, completing meter routes ensuring accurate reads and troubleshooting as needed.
• Perform disconnection of utilities when accounts are delinquent.
• Connect and disconnect water and electric meters.
• Perform service work orders, including repair and replacement of meters and meter components as needed.
• Perform regular exercising and inspection of water distribution system valves using hydraulic or manual valve exercising equipment.
• Conduct fire hydrant flow testing, flushing, lubrication, and preventive maintenance.
• Document hydrant and valve condition, GPS locations, and maintenance history using digital tools or inspection logs.
• Manage school crossing light timers according to school schedules.
• Collect money from bulk water dispenser and make repairs as needed.
• Transport deposits from other city facilities.

Ancillary Job Functions:

• Customer Service:

• Provide customer service for the utility counter which includes accurate and prompt response to customer inquiries for amounts due, service account changes, billing questions, and payments for utility bills as needed.
• Establish and maintain successful working relationships with other employees, City officials, businesses, and the public.
• Provide assistance to citizens when onsite for disconnection of utilities, verifying a reading accuracy or need for meter repair or replacement, and providing next day warnings to delinquent accountholders.

• Other:
  • Maintain calendar and procedures manual.
  • Complete special projects, assist other departments, and perform other related duties as assigned.
  • Work on call if needed to connect/disconnect utilities, including after hours and on weekends.
  • Comply with all City ordinances and practices.

Education and Experience: (Combination of education, training, and experience will be considered)

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• College coursework or related training preferred.
• Minimum of one year of relevant experience preferred.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (not all inclusive)

• Strong technology skills for mobile and desktop computers to include:  Apple products, Microsoft Office, and SMART meter technology
• Knowledge of mathematics and meter equipment maintenance
• Attention to detail
• Ability to operate a computerized handheld meter reading device
• Ability to adapt to changing technologies in the utility industry
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of electrical safety procedures
• Ability to work quickly and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of city geographies and residential/business locations
• Ability to deal safely with aggressive pets/animals
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work as well as concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work under general supervision and make responsible decisions
• Ability to use good judgment and think quickly and rationally in difficult or stressful situations

Work Environment:

• May be required to work in confined spaces, hazardous traffic conditions, or high/dangerous places.
• May be exposed to wet/humid conditions, inclement outdoor weather, vibration, mechanical oils, airborne particles/fumes, moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, or loud noise levels.

Physical Abilities: (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions)

• Must be able to sit, talk, hear, feel attributes of objects, grasp, push, stand, walk, drive, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, and operate mechanical equipment
• Must be able to have repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement and manual dexterity
• Must have clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, ability to identify/distinguish colors, and precise hand-eye coordination
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Range:                                $25.87 to $36.22

Date Opened:                   July 28, 2026

Date Closed:                     August 11, 2026

Hours:                                7:00 am to 4:00 pm - Monday - Friday