HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-06 Staff Report - Job Specification RevisionsCONSENT ITEM
E-6
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: TROY L. BUTZLAFF, ICMA-CM, CITY MANAGER
FROM: AMELIA AYALA, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES & RISK MANAGEMENT
DATE: MARCH 7, 2016
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO ADOPT CLASS SPECIFICATION REVISIONS FOR METER
READER AND FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
SUMMARY:
At the February 23, 2016 Personnel Board Meeting, the Personnel Board approved the revised
classification specifications for the following positions:
•Meter Reader
•Field Service Representative
These two class specifications are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
(IBEW) Bargaining Unit. Employees in these class specifications work for the Azusa Light and Water
Department. This action approves revisions to the classification specifications for Meter Reader and
Field Service Representative.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1) Adopt the Classification Specification Revisions for Meter Reader and Field Service
Representative.
DISCUSSION:
The revisions to the classification specifications for Meter Reader and Field Service Representative will
ensure we are in compliance with industry standards and are conforming to the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).
APPROVED
COUNCIL MEETING
3/7/16
Adoption of Class Specification Revisions
March 7, 2016
Page 2
The salary and title for these two class specifications will remain the same.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Amelia Ayala Louie F. Lacasella
Director of Human Resources & Risk Management Management Analyst
Reviewed and Approved:
Troy L. Butzlaff, ICMA-CM
City Manager
Attachments:
1. Meter Reader Class Specification
2. Field Service Representative Class Specification
ATTACHMENT 1
Date Adopted: 11-2-95
Date Revised: 2-23-16
IBEW Salary Range: 5179
CITY OF AZUSA
METER READER
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, reads and records electric and water meters and computes consumptions; observes
and reports meter or service defects; resets and reseals meters; performs related duties as required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed
functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to
address business needs and changing practices.
Walk for extended periods of time and/or drive vehicles along established routes to locate and read industrial,
commercial and residential water and electric meters and enter readings into hand held recording device.
Lift water meter lids and bend down to obtain accurate meter reads. Access water meters utilizing hand
trowels, shovels and buckets to dig out dirt, or bail out water in meter boxes. Carry buckets of dirt to truck or
landscaped areas to discard.
Stock truck with water meter lids and replace cracked or damaged water meter lids in the field as required.
Read electric meters on assigned routes, in some cases climb step ladder and utilize telescope to view reads
over fences.
Verify meter readings which appear to represent abnormal consumption; record possible reasons for
fluctuations and report readings which appear questionable.
Perform re-reads of meters or check reads, and check for the general condition and seals of meters; reset and
reseal meters; perform minor repairs as needed using a variety of hand tools.
Check meters for possible diversion, tampering, and other damage. Report any unsafe meter conditions
immediately to the supervisor.
Safely interact with dogs in the course of obtaining meter readings.
Tactfully respond to citizen inquiries and complaints.
Maintain assigned City vehicle by removing trash, buckets of dirt, and personal items; report any mechanical
defects or problems to supervisor; monitor and/or maintain appropriate tire pressure, gasoline, water, and oil
levels. Monitor for scheduled maintenance and inform supervisor about upcoming maintenance tasks.
When assigned to a commercial route, duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Maintain extensive inventory of keys to gain access to meters in commercial buildings.
• Interact with commercial customers to obtain access to meters.
• Report customer concerns or complaints to supervisor or other customer service staff.
Page 2 of 2
May assist or relieve Field Service Representatives when assigned; may assist in training new meter readers
when assigned.
May perform water drought enforcement and other related functions when assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
Education and/or Experience: Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the
knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance. Example combinations include
graduation from high school or equivalent.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The Meter Reader must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both
orally and in writing; identify meter irregularities and recommend how to correct; establish and maintain
effective relationships with co-workers, city-wide staff and the community at large; understand and carry out
written and oral directions; work independently; maintain and keep accurate records; follow safe work
practices and work safely; work outdoors in all types of weather; read gauges accurately; understand and apply
policies and procedures; reset and reseal meters; read meters; perform mathematical computations such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; and walk an assigned meter reading route in a prescribed
period of time.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents may be exposed to live electricity and must be able to
stand and walk for extended periods of time and on uneven surfaces outdoors in inclement weather including
hot, wet and cold; sit, bend, lift meter reader lids and carry buckets of dirt, tools, equipment and meter lids up
to 50 pounds; climb stairs and ladders, and operate telescope on ladder; grasp, reach overhead, reach over gates
to release latches and read over fences as high as six feet; use both hands, legs and feet, work at heights on a
ladder; work in confined spaces to access meters; speak, hear, touch/feel, and see well enough in color and
with correct depth perception to read meters and provide face-to face customer service, as well as, to
adequately perform duties safely and accurately.
Position requires that repetitive motions be performed as part of daily routine work duties, including, kneeling
and bending into meter boxes; reaching, twisting, and turning, to tighten or replace meter seals, locking rings
or to shut off water service, and entering reads into hand held meter reading devices.. , Incumbent. Some of
these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such
accommodations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory
driving record. The incumbent may be required to respond to after-hours emergency call-outs and must have
the ability to work occasional weekends, evenings and/or holidays and be flexible in working hours.
ATTACHMENT 2
Date Adopted: 11-2-92
Date Revised: 2-23-16
IBEW Salary Range: 5184
CITY OF AZUSA
FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, turns on utility services and shuts off service for delinquent and closed accounts;
executes a variety of field service work orders; investigates utility billing complaints; performs related duties as
required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed
functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to
address business needs and changing practices.
Primary functions include turning electric and water meters on and off, and reading and sealing meters in the
process.
Lift water meter lids, obtain accurate meter reads, and use wrench to shut off water meters. Bend down to
install locking ring on water meter in meter box to prevent unauthorized turn ons. Access water meters
utilizing hand trowels, shovels and buckets to dig out dirt, or bail out water in meter boxes with leaks. Carry
buckets of dirt to truck or landscaped areas to discard.
Turn off electric meters by safely removing seal or locking ring from electric meters, pull or unplug electric
meter from meter socket, install meter boots, re-insert meter register into meter can, and seal meter.
Inspect meter sockets for loose lugs and loose conductor or theft, take photos and report any unsafe conditions
to supervisor.
Investigate customer billing complaints; meet with customers and explain electric and water utility service
rules, regulations and procedures; notify customers when service is to be shut off due to unpaid bills; tactfully
respond to citizen inquiries.
May read electric and water meters on an assigned route, record readings and make necessary calculations;
check to determine consistency of meter readings and report unusual readings to the supervisor; report
violations of rules and regulations governing electric and water consumption and conditions that may
necessitate changes in rate or type of meter.
Execute a variety of field service work orders, including re-reads or check reads, in some cases climb step
ladder and utilize telescope to view reads over fences; check meters for possible diversion, tampering, and
other damage; respond to complaints about water meter leaks; perform minor repairs as needed using a variety
of hand tools; investigate and report inoperative or defective meters; verify medically necessary equipment at
customer premise for rate discounts.
Stock truck with water meter lids and replace cracked or damaged water meter lids in the field as required.
Safely interact with dogs in the course of executing work orders or obtaining meter readings.
Tactfully respond to customer inquiries and complaints.
Page 2 of 2
Maintain assigned City vehicle by removing trash, buckets of dirt, and personal items; report any mechanical
defects or problems to supervisor; monitor and/or maintain appropriate tire pressure, gasoline, water, and oil
levels. Monitor for scheduled maintenance and inform supervisor about upcoming maintenance tasks.
May assist in training new staff when assigned.
May perform drought enforcement and education functions when assigned.
Securely maintain inventory of keys that provide access to customer premises or meters.
Perform other related duties as assigned or required.
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
Education and Experience Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the
knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for satisfactory job performance. Example combinations include
graduation from high school or equivalent and two years of experience performing work comparable to that of
a meter reader in the City of Azusa.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Considerable knowledge of safety precautions for connecting and
disconnecting electric meters; city policies and procedures related to utility billing and consumer services;
common causes and remedies for consumption problems. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both
orally and in writing; safely connect and disconnect electric and water meters; reset and reseal meters;
investigate and determine reasons for unusual electric and water consumption, low water pressure, and other
service problems; establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, city-wide staff and the
community at large; understand and carry out written and oral directions; work independently; perform a
variety of clerical duties; follow safe work practices and work safely; respond to emergency and problem
situations in an effective manner; understand, explain and apply policies and procedures to customers; read
gauges accurately; read meters with a high degree of accuracy on a consistent basis; perform mathematical
computations; follow an assigned meter reading route in a prescribed time period.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents may be exposed to live electricity and must be able to
stand and walk for extended periods of time and on uneven surfaces outdoors in inclement weather including
hot, wet and cold; sit, bend, lift meter reader lids and carry buckets of dirt, tools, equipment and meter lids up
to 50 pounds; climb stairs and ladders, and operate telescope on ladder; good vision is required in order to read
meters accurately and to check reads entered into hand held device; grasp, reach overhead, reach over gates to
release latches and read over fences as high as six feet; use both hands, legs and feet, work at heights on a
ladder; work in confined spaces to access meters in vaults; speak, hear, touch/feel, and see well enough in
color and with correct depth perception to read meters and provide face-to face customer service, as well as, to
adequately perform duties safely and accurately.
Position requires that repetitive motions be performed as part of daily routine work duties, including, kneeling
and bending into meter boxes; reaching, twisting, and forcibly turning, to turn off and on water and electric
services, and to tighten or replace meter seals and to install locking devices or rings; repetitive motions are also
required to enter reads into hand held meter reading devices. Some of these requirements may be
accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory
driving record. The incumbent may be required to respond to after-hours emergency call-outs and must have
the ability to work occasional weekends, evenings and/or holidays and be flexible in working hours.