Commercial Meter Reader at City of Winnipeg

As the Commercial Meter Reader you will attend various commercial, industrial and residential premises in all areas of the City of Winnipeg to obtain meter readings and record water consumption. You will inspect meters and bypasses to ensure the integrity of the sealing wire and seal/reseal as required. You will also verify high/low consumption by inspecting plumbing, meters and bypasses to ensure that all water consumption is metered.

As the Commercial Meter Reader, you will:

• Read water meters by attending Industrial/Commercial/Residential customers’ meter location and enter the meter reading into the meter reading handheld device. Where no admittance is gained, leave meter reading request cards or have the card sent to the designated alternate office.

• Inspect for signs of tampering by checking meter/bypass seal for integrity, by checking meter body/register/pin for damage or alterations and by checking plumbing upstream of meter for un-metered branches. When required, reseal meter/bypass and/or report causes of tampering by entering findings in handheld device and by taking pictures.

• Confirm reading, badge number, meter status, meter seal status and bypass seal status if the reading falls outside the high/low parameters indicated by the handheld device. If confirmed, determine reason for abnormal consumption by querying customers, inspecting plumbing and water appurtenances and/or meter movement while at premise.

• Report daily to office to upload previous day’s completed assignment and to obtain/download and plan present day’s assignment. Report to senior staff any unusual findings or problems encountered that could not be documented within the handheld device.

• Utilize a smartphone in conjunction with a field employee safety monitoring system to provide audio and GPS updates on location and status at set intervals.

• Identify new occupancy, inactivity, incomplete accounts or meter condition by entering appropriate information into handheld device.

• Enter/update meter access information, directions to find meter, safety concerns and other appropriate information into handheld device.

• Perform other related duties consistent with the classification, as assigned.

Your education and qualifications include:

• Grade 12 /G.E.D. or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Water and Sewer By-Laws and Rate Schedules.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain composure and deal tactfully and diplomatically with a wide range of customers under sometimes stressful conditions.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a safe manner and comply with all safe work procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimum supervision and exercise sound judgement.

• Demonstrated knowledge of meter reading procedures.

• Basic knowledge of domestic plumbing.

• Basic knowledge of mobile computers such as smartphone and meter collection handheld devices.

• Knowledge of industrial/commercial water usage and consumption processes and patterns.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization, external contacts and the public, in accordance with the Respectful Workplace Standard.

• IMPORTANT: Applicants who have been educated outside of Canada must have education which is comparable to the minimum qualification in Canada. Applicants submitting foreign credentials require an official academic assessment report issued by a recognized Canadian assessment service https://canalliance.org/en/ at application.

Conditions of employment:

• The successful applicant must maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. If the successful applicant possesses a work permit, it is their responsibility to ensure the permit remains valid.

• A Police Information Check satisfactory to the employer will be required from the successful candidate, at their expense.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 Manitoba Driver’s License. The successful applicant will be required to provide a driver’s notice in force document upon request.

• The successful applicant will be required to provide a reliable vehicle for fulfillment of job duties and transportation while on City business, subject to the terms and conditions of the City Transportation Policy.

• Must be physically capable of performing all of the duties of the position which includes the ability to walk for 15 – 20 km per shift and lift up to 50 lbs., and the ability to work outside for extended periods of time, often under unfavorable weather conditions.