Meter Readers, Utilities Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Meter Readers, Utilities

The main tasks and work activities of Meter Readers, Utilities are to enter information into databases or software programs, operate vehicles or material-moving equipment, monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning, report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel. In general, for the Meter Readers, Utilities, time Management, service Orientation, critical Thinking, speaking and other 3 skills are required.

Meter Readers, Utilities Job Description
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Meter Readers, Utilities jobs. 71.05% of Meter Readers, Utilities have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 0.54% of Meter Readers, Utilities have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

0.00%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

71.05%

Post-Secondary Certificate

0.54%

Some College Courses

17.28%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

8.74%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

2.39%

Tasks and Work Activities of Meter Readers, Utilities

Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
Upload into office computers all information collected on hand-held computers during meter rounds, or return route books or hand-held computers to business offices so that data can be compiled.
Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
Update client address and meter location information.
Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.
Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
Collect past-due bills.
Report lost or broken keys.
Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.

Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Communicating with Persons Outside OrganizationCommunicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Enter information into databases or software programs.
Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
Refer customers to appropriate personnel.
Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
Maintain financial or account records.
Collect deposits, payments or fees.
Perform basic equipment maintenance.

Skills and Abilities for Meter Readers, Utilities

Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Remote automatic meter reading systeme.g. Automatic meter reading systems
Photocopierse.g. Copy machines
Portable data input terminalse.g. Dataloggers
Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
Multimeterse.g. Digital multimeters
Digital camerase.g. Digital still cameras
Power meterse.g. Electricity consumption meters
Shovelse.g. Garden shovels
Gas gaugese.g. Gas consumption meters
Power blowerse.g. Gas powered blowers
Water pumpse.g. Gas powered pumps
Global positioning system GPS receivere.g. Global positioning system GPS devices
Slip or groove joint plierse.g. Groove joint pliers
Flashlighte.g. High-power flashlights
Laser fax machinee.g. Laser facsimile machines
Two way radiose.g. Mobile radios
Multi gas monitorse.g. Multi-gas testers
Screwdriverse.g. Multipurpose screwdrivers
Nut driverse.g. Nut wrenches
Automobiles or carse.g. Passenger vehicles

Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Meter Readers, Utilities Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Meter Readers, Utilities

Skills and Abilities for Meter Readers, Utilities