Meter reader

Meter readers visit residential and business or industrial buildings and facilities in order to note down the readings of the meters which measure gas, water, electricity and other utility uses. They forward the results to the client and to the supplier.

The duties of a meter reader include, but are not limited to:

• Reading and interpreting meters to record consumption levels over a period of time, such as a month or year
• Readings may be recorded manually or with the use of computer software
• Communicating with customers about their bills and answering questions regarding billing procedures or concerns
• Making adjustments to meters when necessary to ensure that they are accurately recording consumption levels
• Reading gauges and other indicators to determine if equipment is functioning properly
• Observing operations at power plants, oil refineries, chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, or other industrial facilities that use large amounts of energy resources
• Inspecting areas for unsafe conditions or potentially hazardous situations caused by leaks or other problems with the power line or electrical system
• Inspecting facilities to determine if they are complying with safety regulations and codes
• Monitoring equipment performance to detect malfunctions, safety hazards, or other issues that could affect operations

Meter readers typically work for utilities companies and are responsible for reading residential and commercial meters to determine how much electricity, water, or gas has been used. They then record this information and submit it to the company.

Meter readers typically work outdoors in all weather conditions and may have to walk long distances. They also work on ladders or in other awkward positions to reach meters that are located in difficult-to-access areas. In some circumstances, they may be exposed to aggressive dogs.

Meter readers typically work full time, but they may have to work overtime or on weekends to catch up on readings or to cover for absent colleagues. The job can be physically demanding, and meter readers may be exposed to hazardous materials, such as asbestos, when working with older meters.

The following job titles also refer to meter reader:

gas meter reader
metering data reader
electricity meter reader
water meter reader
smart meter reader
metering data analyst
billing information analyst
utility meter reader
billing information reader
smart meter data reader

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a meter reader. A valid driver’s license is also a must have.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Meter reader is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to meter reader.

bicycle courier
linen room attendant
road sign installer
carriage driver
locker room attendant

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of meter reader. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of meter reader with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

cargo vehicle driver
electric meter technician
postman/postwoman
delivery driver
bus driver

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of meter reader.

• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
• Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.

These skills are necessary for the role of meter reader.

• Read gas meter: Read gas measuring meter, recording the relevant information such as the amounts of gas dispensed and received.
• Identify faults in utility meters: Monitor utility measuring instruments, in order to assess whether the readings are accurate, and to identify damage and need for repairs and maintenance.
• Read water meter: Interpret the measuring instruments which measure the consumption and reception of water in facilities or residences, and note down the results in a correct manner.
• Inspect for unauthorised connections: Examine connections to detect if meters of connections are unauthorised or illegally tampered.
• Report utility meter readings: Report the results from the interpretation of utility reading instruments to the corporations which supply the utilities, and to the customers from which the results were taken.
• Operate GPS systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
• Interpret traffic signals: Observe lights on the road, road conditions, nearby traffic, and prescribed speed limits to ensure safety. Interpret traffic signals and act accordingly.
• Read electricity meter: Interpret the measuring instruments which measure the consumption and reception of electricity in a facility or residence, record the results in a correct manner.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of meter reader. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Electricity consumption: The different factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of electricity consumption in a residence or facility, and methods in which electricity consumption can be lowered or made more efficient.
• Automatic meter reading: Mobile, network and handheld technologies used to automatically acquire data on energy and water consumption, and forward them to the central database for sending invoices or performing analysis.
• Gas consumption: The factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of gas consumption in a residence or facility, and methods which can reduce the consumption of gas, or make it more efficient.
• Water consumption: The factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of water consumption in a residence or facility, and methods in which water consumption can be lowered or made more efficient.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of meter reader. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Monitor utility equipment: Monitor equipment which provides utility services such as power, heat, refrigeration, and steam, in order to ensure they are functional, operate according to regulations, and to check for faults.
• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Advise on utility consumption: Advise individuals or organisations on methods in which they can reduce their consumption of utilities, such as heat, water, gas, and electricity, in order for them to save money and incorporate sustainable practices.
• Handle customer complaints: Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
• Calculate utility payments: Calculate the payments owed by organisations or individuals to corporations providing utility services, based on the readings of their utility meters.
• Advise on heating systems energy efficiency: Provide information and advice to clients on how to preserve an energy efficient heating system in their home or office and possible alternatives.
• Respond to enquiries: Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.
• Operate electronic measuring instruments: Tend a wide variety of devices for measuring electronic characteristics of system components, such as optical power meter, fibre power meter, digital power meter and multimeter.
• Read heat meter: Interpret the measuring equipment which records the consumption of thermal energy by measuring heat transfer fluid and temperature changes, and record the results correctly.

9623 – Meter readers and vending-machine collectors

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References

1. ESCO
2. Meter Reader Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – ClimbtheLadder
3. What does a meter reader do? – CareerExplorer
4. Featured image: By USAID Pakistan – USAID Installs Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) for MEPCO’s Domestic Consumers, Public Domain