Jan 07, 2025

Meter Technician

Full time Installation-Maint-Repair

Job Description

This posting is intended to fill one regular, full time Meter Technician position and establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill regular and limited term positions for the next 24 months. 

 

SMUD has a 900 square mile service territory with ~700,000 meters serving 1.4 million customers throughout the Sacramento area. As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we have been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 70 years.

We are a recognized industry leader and award winner for our innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for our sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. Through the efforts of the 2,200 people that power us, we work 24/7 to keep the lights on and provide our customers with innovative energy solutions. We also strive for best-in-class customer service and offer some of the lowest electricity rates in California.

We’re one of the region’s largest employers, with a reputation for attracting, developing and retaining some of the most talented employees around. In addition, SMUD's advancement opportunities are all merit based, fostering a high-performing culture that rewards excellence and productivity.  

Position Benefits:

  • Strong safety culture
  • Service territory doesn't require out of town travel
  • 9/80 work schedule
  • Opportunities for advancement

 

Employee Benefits:

  • Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • Retirement through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
  • 457 and 401 (k) plans available
  • Flexible Savings Account
  • Short and Long Term Disability
  • Employee and Spouse Life Insurance

 

Purpose

To install, maintain, and repair electromechanical and electronic meters and associated equipment to ensure the accurate billing of SMUD customers. An employee in this classification receives limited supervision, works alone, is expected to perform the work in a safe and timely manner, maximizes service reliability, ensures measurement accuracy, and maintains good customer relations.

Nature and Scope

Under limited supervision, installs, maintains, and repairs electro-mechanical and electronic meters and associated equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Removes single phase residential electric meters.
  • Verifies proper voltage at meter panel using voltage tester.
  • Installs single-phase residential electric meter and checks for proper operation.
  • Installs, tests, trouble-shoots, and repairs electronic and electromechanical kWh meters and various electronic data recorders.
  • Installs and maintains solid-state isolation relays used for data acquisition and customer load management.
  • Wires, installs, tests, and maintains all new commercial metering installations, including 12kV primary voltage revenue metering installations.
  • Tests and installs buss type and doughnut type current transformers.
  • Verifies the wiring and meter accuracy of new and existing commercial revenue metering installations.
  • Installs, maintains, and tests residential kWh meters. 8 Investigates the causes of commercial and residential metering problems, makes repairs, and/or advises customers on possible solutions their problems.
  • Trains apprentices and other employees on all aspects of the installation and maintenance of the various types of electronic data records, transducers, current transformers on the customers electric panels and equipment used for data collection. Provides training to apprentices on meter testing in the field using a portable test kit. Provides training to apprentices in the field as to the installation and wiring of current transformers and test switches used with transformer rated metering systems. 
  • Inspects new meter panels to verify adherence to SMUD regulations, NEC codes and local inspect agencies.
  • Maintains good public relations while interacting with SMUD customers, contractors, and county and city electrical inspectors.
  • Completes work in a safe, professional, and timely manner.
  • Performs other related duties similar in scope and function to the above, as required.

Required Education

High School diploma or equivalent. 

Required Experience Qualifications

Successful completion of a four-year Apprentice Meter Technician program, and/or two years experience as Meter Technician with an electric utility company.

Required Licenses/Certificates

Must possess and maintain a valid California Drivers License CDL and a satisfactory driving record not more than two moving violations in the last two years

Knowledge Of

Principles of electricity applicable to power distribution; principles of electricity and electronics as applied to the analysis of single-phase and poly-phase meters, standards, electronic data recorders, etc.; electric and electronic metering devices; operation and metering effects of instrument transformers; principles of reactive volt-ampere-hour measurement; vector analysis; all phases of calibration, repair and maintenance of meters; meter selection for proper metering of electrical energy; SMUD and local regulations, codes and standard metering work and equipment, and safety standards and practices; a general knowledge of computer hardware and software as it pertains to metering.

Skills To

Read and identify circuitry from schematics and diagrams; designate appropriate metering; properly wire complex color-coded meter installations; perform accurate calibrations in the shop or in the field, use a variety of metering and testing equipment; prepare accurate reports on meter installations which may include trigonometry and other graphic representations; read and interpret technical manuals and specifications; work safely around high voltages; keep abreast of new technological advances in the field of metering; perform metering calculations using algebra and trigonometry; exercise independent judgment in decision-making; train, advise and instruct apprentices and other employees on metering and safety procedures; establish and maintain harmonious work relationships with customers, contractors, other SMUD employees and other utility personnel; maintain a good driving record.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Basic Microsoft Office experience
  • Standard metering and programing software experience
  • Scheduling and dispatching software experience

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together. 

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification.  As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

 

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
 

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

 

On-site Work

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.