Electric Utility Meter Service Investigator

Job Description:

Electric Utility Meter Service Investigator

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Electric Utility Meter Service Investigator

Purpose:

Under general direction, this position identifies, investigates, and resolves potential unauthorized usage of electrical and water services.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Conducts examination of automated and non-automated water and electric meters to determine the unauthorized tampering of services to commercial and residential facilities.
  
• Investigates, analyzes, and corrects tampering, including review of three phase and current transformer installations.
  
• Documents utility tampering investigations through photographic evidence, chain of custody processes, and processing of tangible evidence.
  
• Participates in investigations conducted by legal authorities, including surveillance operations
  
• Prepares and provides evidence, reports, trends or additional data to legal authorities, customers and appropriate personnel.
  
• Testifies as an expert witness in court room proceedings, civil cases, or utility regulation administrative hearings.
  
• Examines meter and wire connections to outside power lines and building circuits and removes unauthorized wires or illegally installed devices or meters.
  
• Makes minor repairs to loose wire connections or insulators.
  
• Analyzes meter performance.
  
• Serves as quick response team for hazardous tampering situations and needed repairs.
  
• Provides technical assistance to utility liaisons.
  
• Removes tampered meters and informs customer and utility personnel of discontinuance of service.
  
• Develops, interprets and enforces departmental policies and procedures, building codes, specifications ordinances and recognized safety standards.
  
• Provides assistance with development and implementation of public information presentations of safety and legal aspects of unauthorized usage of services.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of applicable processes, standards, and specifications of electrical and water meters.
  
• Knowledge of applicable laws and legal procedures applicable to illegal use of utility metered service.
  
• Knowledge of electric utility operations, policies and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of technical aspects of electric utility distribution and secondary voltage systems.
  
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances governing investigations of utility meters.
  
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to ascend utility poles to remove tampered service components in hazardous conditions.
  
• Ability to train others.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent plus four (4) years of experience in utility meter services two (w) of which were related to removing, installing, and physical disconnection at the meter.
  
• Fifteen (15) semester credit hours of college related to the job may substitute for six (6) months of the required experience
  
• Education may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Valid Texas Class C Driver License.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience investigating the tampering of electric and water meters
  
• Knowledge of the laws, theories, rules and standards pertaining to electrical construction and maintenance
  
• Experience using tools and equipment to install and repair electric meters
  
• Experience with mediating, negotiating, and conflict resolution
  
• Experience with the proper collection and storage of physical evidence (chain of custody)
  
• Experience using personal computers, operating systems, and cameras Experience using Customer Care & Billing or other Utility Billing System
  
• Experience using Mobile Workforce Management or work order systems
  
• Knowledge of methods, procedures, tools, and equipment in testing electrical and electronic metering devices.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Pay Range: $29.89 - $37.37 per hour

Location: 1520 Rutherford Lane

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
  
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on application.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Good Standing Employees

Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the department/division that the position resides in and who meet the minimum and all of the preferred qualifications (if any) of the position will be included in the initial interview. Department/division employee must remain in Good Standing through the Top Candidate Selection phase at which time the Good Standing status will be re-verified.

Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday: 6:00 am - 2:30 pm

• This position is categorized as Essential Personnel with the City of Austin. Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations to maintain the safe delivery of electric service for the City of Austin.
  
• Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends.
  
• Shifts may change according to departmental needs.
  
• Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.
  

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-03-26