A Meter Technician performs skilled electrical and mechanical work in the installation, testing, and maintenance of single and three-phase meters and metering-related equipment.  This classification is also responsible for performing related duties as required.

Distinguishing Features

 Meter Technicians generally work independently on a day-to-day basis under the supervision of the Reliability Manager.  Employees in this classification may be exposed to hazards as a result of working around energized equipment.  Work is performed in the meter shop as well as in the field when repairing meters, performing meter testing duties, installing meters, and making program changes to meters or automated metering infrastructure (AMI) related devices.  Work must be performed in an extremely efficient manner with a very minimal error rate.  Employees in this class are required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow safety procedures in performing assignments.  Meter technicians are subject to work overtime as needed.  Employees in this class report to the Reliability Manager who reviews work through meetings, conferences, reports, and overall results achieved.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications required:

1. Sufficient hearing and vision to perform all job tasks. Impaired hearing and/or vision must not present a safety hazard to the employee, other employees and/or the general public.
2. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
3. Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods during the work shift.
4. Must possess at least basic typing, word processing, and/or computer skills and be able to operate general office machines.
5. Must be able to communicate on a telephone and/or two-way radio system.
6. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of trainee program.
7. Must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in all phases of electricity metering, meter installations, testing, and repairing of meters as meter technician trainee.
8. Must have completed the Meter Technician Apprentice Program.
9. Must be skilled in oral and written communication and be capable of getting work done through others.
10. Must have the ability to work with hand tools and know the different types of electrical meters and electrical recording instruments
11. Must have previous personal computer experience.
12. Must be willing to participate in additional self-training and education as necessary.
13. Must have knowledge of all local, state, and national codes and regulations regarding instrument metering.

Working Conditions

 Inside shop duties and outside work in various conditions excluding extreme weather conditions.  Regular work hours with some overtime due to workload.  Some risks due to unrestrained pets and proximity to work with and around energized equipment.  Must be able to recognize meter wiring color code.  May require outside work in extreme conditions during times of outages.  Some overtime may be required. Will individually or with assistance pull or use force regularly for materials, tools and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, frequently pull or use force up to 50 pounds, and occasionally pull and use force up to 100 pounds.  Reaching and lifting overhead is required.  Job requires standing, crawling, climbing, bending, pulling and reaching majority of the time.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

The following are essential responsibilities of this position and do not include marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of the fundamental job duties.  The scope and duties of this position may change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of Peace River Electric Cooperative.  The basic requirement of every position is to perform all tasks as assigned by your supervisor.  This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.

1. The most important and essential job function of the position is attitude and includes the following: a) getting along with co-workers, b) cooperating with co-workers, c) responding politely to customers, d) working as a team member, e) functioning under intense time pressure, f) responding in a positive manner to supervision.
2. Communication: Communicates with members, coworkers, supervisors in order to follow verbal and/or written directions and instructions. Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
3. Performs electrical and mechanical work in testing, installing, calibrating and repairing electric watt meters, and other related electrical equipment.
4. Installs and inspects new meters to ensure proper working order.
5. Inspects installation of large Tier 2 or 3 Photovoltaic systems for proper working order and installs net meters.
6. Installs primary and commercial metering, including current and potential transformers and test blocks.
7. Conducts electric tests for new and in-service meter accuracy.
8. Inspects meters and instruments for proper wiring connections.
9. Replaces or repairs meters and instrument transformers.
10. Inspects service entrance equipment for correct applications, proper wiring, grounding, equipment configuration and compliance.
11. Operates light truck or van to and from work sites.
12. May operate pallet jack and/or forklift for the loading and unloading of materials.
13. Uses personal computer to enter or retrieve meter data and program meters or meter related equipment.
14. Meets scheduling and attendance requirements.
15. Evaluates test results, reads operating reports and diagnosis cause of problems.
16. Maintains accurate repair and maintenance records of work performed.
17. Maintains accurate inventory of stock meters and instrument transformers.
18. Requests quotes and issues requisitions for meters and instrument transformers.
19. Learns job related material through on-the-job training, classroom setting or apprentice program.
20. Participates in all special projects or technical meetings in regard to metering as needed.
21. Wears all personal protective equipment (PPE) as required when working around energized equipment.
22. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge

1. Must have completed the Meter Technician Apprentice Program.
2. Basic electricity concepts and schematics
3. Basic electrical theories and practices
4. Standard electrical safety practices and procedures applicable to work around electrical equipment including high-voltage circuits
5. Ability to create and maintain PC programs for electronic single-phase and three-phase meters
6. Ability to create and retrieve reports as needed by upper management using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
7. Ability to modify and upload meter test and inventory files into CIS software system via CSV or Excel file types.

Schedule

 Work schedule in to be determined by the supervisor, but normal work schedule is set to be Monday thru Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm.

Knowledge

1. Must have completed the Meter Technician Apprentice Program.
2. Basic electricity concepts and schematics
3. Basic electrical theories and practices
4. Standard electrical safety practices and procedures applicable to work around electrical equipment including high-voltage circuits
5. Ability to create and maintain PC programs for electronic single-phase and three-phase meters
6. Ability to create and retrieve reports as needed by upper management using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
7. Ability to modify and upload meter test and inventory files into CIS software system via CSV or Excel file types.

About Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc.

PRECO is a non-profit, electric cooperative serving over 60,000 accounts and is one of the fastest-growing cooperatives in the country. The cooperative is headquartered in Wauchula, FL, and its territory and surrounding areas provide world-class outdoor recreational opportunities.

Connections working at Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc.