Job Details

Utility Worker

Salary: Range 34 – 36  DOQ ($35.28 - $45.06 /hour)

Employment Status: Regular, Non-Exempt, Full-time Position

Benefit Package: Regular, Full-Time Employee Benefits

Schedule: 4 x 10s 

Reports to: Customer Service Manager

To Apply: Visit https://www.epud.org/about-us/careers/ to complete the online application and submit the following documents: 

• Cover letter (Explain why you want to be considered for this position. Please provide details about your past work-related experience to support your qualifications.) 
• Resume 
• Veterans` Preference Form, if applicable

Culture and Environment:

Emerald PUD is looking to add a knowledgeable, experienced, and motivated Utility Worker to our team. This position directly contributes to the success of our customer service team by accurately completing meter reads, meter changes and facility locates. We need someone with a high level of expertise who can work well in a team environment to complete the work in a safe, efficient, and effective manner.

We offer a robust and competitive benefit package, including exceptional medical coverage. In addition, Emerald covers the cost of the monthly medical premiums for employees and their dependents.

At Emerald PUD, we take pride in delivering an essential service to our customers, with safety and reliability as our top priorities. We were founded on the idea that employees should own part of the decision-making process and have upheld that value through the years. We strive to create an environment where employees are empowered to do what is right for both the utility and our customers. We are a small and nimble team that can adapt quickly when conditions change and we get the opportunity to wear many hats and collaborate with other departments and employees on a regular basis. We offer a strong compensation package and continuously look for ways to help our employees create and maintain a healthy work/life balance.

Core Values:

Service 

• We`re motivated to serve others. 

• We care about the local community.

• We improve the lives of those around us. 

Flexibility 

• We're willing to step into other roles. 

• We adapt quickly. 

• We`re responsive to the needs of others. 

Empowerment 

• We`re trusted to do what`s right. 

• We take responsibility for our actions. 

• We learn from our mistakes. 

Reliability 

• We do what we say we`re going to do. 

• We`re always willing to pitch in. 

• We`re there when others need us. 

Safety 

• We never forget the risk in our industry. 

• We watch out for each other. 

• We speak up. 

Job Summary:

The Utility Worker position supports the utility through two main functions; meter reading/meter changes, and facility locates. The position is primarily outside and requires frequent stops in order to perform meter reading, meter changes and performing underground locates.  The responsibilities of the job are time sensitive and often have hard deadlines that cannot be adjusted or missed; however the representative is empowered to determine the most efficient manner to complete the workload and meet the deadlines. As a Customer Service employee, the representative has the opportunity to work directly with customers and provide exceptional service on behalf of Emerald PUD. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Amount of time working in each function may vary. It is expected that the amount of time spent performing each function will fluctuate as needed for an employee to successfully manage their schedule.

1. Field Work- Responsible for completing customer meter reads and performing meter changes. Install and remove meters. Perform underground facility locates. Observe and report defective and damaged meters, unauthorized connections, broken seals, inaccessible meters, and hazardous conditions, including submitting necessary reports in a timely and legible manner as needed. Operate and manage field technology tools. Operate District vehicles in a safe and courteous manner. Observe and comply with safety practices, Emerald work rules, and county, state, and federal code regulations.
2. Work Management- Embrace the culture of empowerment by using sound judgment, thoroughly reviewing and analyzing problems, making reasonable recommendations, and developing alternate solutions when necessary.  Take ownership of assignments and follow through to ensure projects and tasks are completed on time and in a thorough manner.  Take initiative to solve problems and explore opportunities to increase efficiencies. 
3. Customer Service- Provide exceptional service to both internal and external customers to ensure expectations are met or exceeded. Working with customers in a pleasant, courteous, and respectful manner is required in order to help build Emerald`s brand as a trusted advisor and provider of choice. 
4. Perform other duties as assigned related to the job. 

Job Skills:

1. Strong ability to exercise efficient time management, self-motivation, initiative, resourcefulness and organization.
2. Strong ability to work with customers and the public in a pleasant, courteous, and respectful manner. 
3. Capability to use sound judgment when faced with problems or addressing difficult customer situations, and ability to establish positive customer relations, and to respond to customers in a professional and courteous manner, and to make on-the-spot decisions based on EPUD policies and procedures.
4. Must be willing to attend and successfully pass off site meter training program. 
5. Knowledge or the ability to learn all the types of electric meters Emerald PUD is utilizing.
6. Ability to communicate to co-workers and supervisors in a professional and courteous manner, maintain a cooperative and helpful attitude toward fellow employees, promote a positive and caring work environment, accept, and adapt to change, and perform as a productive team member. 
7. Must be a self-starter, comfortable working alone or with others to train or assist as necessary and manage time well.
8. Must be able to multi-task and have the ability to prioritize workload with minimal supervision.
9. Must be willing to work overtime and be on-call.
10. Must hold a valid Oregon driver's license and have an excellent driving record.  Must be willing and able to drive/work safely and competently in inclement weather conditions.  Having a good sense of direction, being familiar with rural area roads, and having the ability to quickly find addresses with the help of a map are highly desirable qualities.
11. Ability and willingness to work well in a team environment and collaborate across departments including peers, customers, and contractors.
12. Ability to cope with (sometimes unfriendly) animals.
13. Willingness to use technology, such as iPads, to complete assignments.
14. Willingness and ability to learn new concepts and adopt alternative techniques within the rapidly changing utility industry.

Experience:

1. Minimum 12 months experience working at an Electric Utility preferred. 
2. Experience with meter reading, performing meter changes or underground locating required.
3. Preference given for experience with underground locating. 
4. Ability to interpret and comply with the Oregon Administrative Rules and Revised Statutes pertaining to the Oregon Utility Notification Center. 
5. Computers skills required to complete and submit task requests using a mobile device or laptop. 

Education:

1. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

1. Ability to carry and use a 2-lb. meter reading device for 10 hours daily and lift or carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
2. Physical condition and stamina to stoop, crouch, crawl, stretch, reach, and climb while maintaining bodily balance, and walk up to 15 miles a day.
3. Must be able to maintain a level of fitness and agility that will meet the physical requirements of the job. 
4. Must be able to continuously assess the environment due to regular exposure to inclement weather and rough terrain in order to ensure personal safety and the safety of others. 
5. Must be willing to work over the regular 40 hour/week schedule if requested and be willing to be called out for service in the event of a power outage or other emergency.