Utilities Meter Crew Foreman

Under limited supervision, performs supervisory, maintenance, and operations of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program and maintenance and construction of water meters, auxiliary meters, components, barrels, strainers, vaults, repeaters, collectors, and all associated infrastructure for the Department of Utilities/Public Works. Employee is also responsible for overseeing/performing preventative maintenance on assets, maintaining a variety of records, and preparing reports. Provides proactive maintenance and expansion of the monitored networks and systems with the goal of establishing and maintaining a specified level of service and read rate. Work also involves supervising, assigning, instructing, and reviewing the work of Meter Technicians. Employee must exercise independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with utilities customers and the public. Reports to the Manager, Distribution System.

This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work irrespective of weather conditions and/or when general County offices are closed.

• Maps out geographic work plans, determines the best geographic locations for installation of AMI infrastructure for the existing metering system.
• Evaluates the operation of water meters, diagnoses, and remedies operational problems.
• Manages inventory, commissions, installs, activates meters, and completes work orders for new connection installations utilizing Cityworks/Trimble Unity (Asset Management), Mueller’s Network Management Tool (NMT) application, Sentryx, and MiTech Mobile App.
• Completes work orders, service requests, and/or inspections for all work activities through the County’s computerized maintenance and management system, Cityworks/Trimble Unity, and Sentryx.
• Builds relationships with Mueller AMI network contacts to become an effective partner and implement required actions to keep the County’s AMI network at the standard read rate.
• Works in Mueller’s Network Management Tool (NMT) and Mueller’s Sentryx Program daily, including but not limited to monitoring and responding to alerts.
• Directs and provides feedback on root-cause analysis and other problem-solving activities to identify effective corrective actions and process improvements to achieve the standard read rate within the County’s AMI network.
• Works closely with Customer Service to ensure all information needed for billing is provided for both water and sanitary sewer. Mag meter readings must be tracked and reported to Customer Service regularly.
• Supervises, assigns, directs, and reviews the activities of the Meter Technicians; ensures adherence to quality standards; resolves problems as non-routine situations arise.
• Supervises, directs, and participates in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water services and taps; responds to trouble calls regarding leaks, low pressure, and water clarity.
• Develops, manages, and maintains a yearly AMI Infrastructure Inspection Program.
• Repairs damaged or malfunctioning metering infrastructure as necessary; performs preventative maintenance to metering infrastructure; installs or replaces meters, as necessary.
• Commissions and calibrates meters to verify positional accuracy by utilizing GPS.
• Repairs and maintains meter barrels, including replacing broken tops and crushed barrels.
• Receives and responds to customer complaints and emergencies.
• Assists with the development of operational budgets for the area of assigned work, monitors expenditures, tracks purchases, and ensures staff follow procurement and purchasing procedures.
• Orders new meters and maintains stock and inventory within Cityworks/Trimble Unity Storeroom.
• Assigns and reviews work orders completed by Meter Technicians; ensures Meter Technicians perform all duties as required.
• Reviews completed work orders for productivity; reviews work performance; conducts performance evaluations (1:1 Sessions); reviews and approves timesheets for Meter Technicians.
• Packs and returns defective parts to vendors.
• Participate and comply with the EHS Management System and utilize the KPA Flex Safety management tool.
• Performs other related duties as required.

High School Diploma or equivalent, and three (3) to five (5) years of experience in water maintenance, meter reading, and repair work; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Must obtain OSHA 30 Hour Certification within 60 days of hire.

Must obtain and maintain First Aid and/or CPR certification(s).

Additional Safety Trainings as assigned.

• Knowledge of standard methods, materials, and equipment employed in basic construction and maintenance operations.
• Knowledge of safety standards and regulations as related to the field.
• Knowledge of air monitoring and confined space safety procedures.
• Ability to work within confined spaces to perform meter replacements and other duties as required.
• Knowledge of the principles of plumbing and mechanical maintenance as applicable to water distribution systems
• Knowledge of the operation of the equipment and tools used in construction and maintenance work.
• Knowledge of the geographic layout of the County.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures involved in the management of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of personnel management. Ability to direct the work of a group of workers.
• Ability to write legibly.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with customers, and to maintain control when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods of time, possibly under stressful and arduous conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments, or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Ability to read work orders, manuals, maps, diagrams, specifications, blueprints, as-builts, etc.
• Ability to prepare reports, work orders, lists, and forms using prescribed format.
• Ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English and engineering, mechanical, and electrical terminology, and construction hand signals.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of geometry and algebra.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally. Must be adaptable to performing under varied levels of stress.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery or tools, including pumps, hand tools, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Light Work. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately when using power and hand tools. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as hand tools and control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving the nature of sounds by ear).