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Trainee Meter Reader Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Trainee Meter Reader information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$11

$20

$34

How much do trainee meter reader jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for trainee meter reader in Riverside, CA is $20.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $22.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Trainee Meter Reader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trainee Meter Reader, you generally need a high school diploma, basic math skills, and a valid driver’s license. Familiarity with handheld digital meter reading devices and mobile data entry systems is often required. Attention to detail, reliability, and good communication skills help you interact with customers and accurately record data. These abilities ensure accurate meter readings, efficient service, and positive customer interactions vital to utility operations.

What does a typical day look like for a Trainee Meter Reader, and what are some common challenges faced in this role?

As a Trainee Meter Reader, your day usually involves traveling to various residential and commercial properties to record gas, electricity, or water meter readings. You'll spend much of your time outdoors, often working independently and walking significant distances. Common challenges include navigating difficult weather conditions, handling inaccessible meters, and managing time efficiently to meet daily targets. You'll also interact with customers, so good communication skills are important. The role provides valuable field experience and can lead to advancement opportunities within utility companies.

What are trainee meter readers?

Trainee meter readers are entry-level employees who are responsible for visiting residential and commercial properties to record utility meter readings, such as electricity, gas, or water usage. As trainees, they receive on-the-job training to accurately read meters, report usage data, and identify potential issues like faulty meters or signs of tampering. This role typically involves working outdoors, traveling between locations, and interacting with customers. The data collected by meter readers is essential for utility companies to generate accurate bills and monitor resource usage.

What is the difference between Trainee Meter Reader vs Meter Reader?

AspectTrainee Meter ReaderMeter Reader
QualificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; training providedHigh school diploma or equivalent; experience may be preferred
Work EnvironmentSupervised training, outdoor work, customer interactionOutdoor work, reading meters at various locations
Job ResponsibilitiesLearn meter reading procedures, assist senior staffRead meters, record data, report discrepancies

The main difference is that a Trainee Meter Reader is in training and gaining skills, while a Meter Reader is an experienced professional performing the job independently. Trainees focus on learning procedures, whereas Meter Readers handle daily readings and customer interactions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Meter Reader jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Meter Reader jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Trainee Meter Reader jobs in Riverside, CA? For Trainee Meter Reader jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Trainee Meter Reader jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Trainee Meter Reader jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Trainee Meter Reader jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Trainee Meter Reader job openings:
Maintenance Worker Trainee (Water & Sanitation)

Maintenance Worker Trainee (Water & Sanitation)

San Bernardino County

San Bernardino, CA • On-site

$44.05K - $60.65K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


San Bernardino County rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 75 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

355th of 642 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

The Job The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works, Special Districts - Water and Sanitation Division is recruiting for Maintenance Worker Trainee. Under training conditions, these positions learn to perform routine maintenance, repair, and inspection tasks related to the operation of water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Upon successful completion of the training period, incumbents may automatically promote to Maintenance Worker I.

Essential Duties Inspect and record pump station meter readings, monitor gauges, and ensure proper system operations. Assist with the installation, repair, and replacement of water mains, sewer lines, and service connections using digging and excavation methods. Operate and learn to operate a variety of equipment, such as: backhoes, dump trucks, mixers, bypass pumps, generators, combination cleaners, and air compressors.

Maintain and support operation of system infrastructure including pipelines, storage tanks, wells, lift stations, control valves, and booster stations. Conduct inspections of water distribution and wastewater collection systems for safety, proper function, and regulatory compliance. Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on pumps, motors, valves, compressors, and related equipment.

Respond to emergency call-outs and perform on-call duties on a rotational basis, with the ability to respond within one hour in all weather and environmental conditions. For more detailed information, refer to the Maintenance Worker Trainee job description. Excellent Benefits To review job-specific benefits, refer to: Summary of Benefits Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Working Conditions: Applicants must be able to perform heavy manual labor and work outdoors in varying weather conditions; work in desert and mountainous areas, remote locations, and other locations as needed; have the ability to drive-in all-weather conditions; and work weekends and holidays and respond to emergency calls as needed.

Health and Physical: Persons seeking appointment to this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper for performance of the duties established by the San Bernardino County Special Districts Department. Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and have the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend over, and crawl for extended periods of time while performing job duties. Certification: Must obtain a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 certification within 12 months or 2 consecutive test cycles, from date of employment, or be terminated.

Must obtain a SWRCB T1 Water Treatment certification, OR a SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I, within 18 months of employment, or be terminated License: Must obtain and maintain a CA Class A unrestricted driver's license with tanker endorsement within 18 months of employment or be terminated. Travel: Travel throughout the County is required. A valid CA driver's license and proof of automobile liability insurance is required at time of appointment.

Assignment: Employees on call must respond by phone within 30 minutes. Employees may be assigned to one region, but are expected to work any site located throughout the County, to meet the Department's needs. Incumbents are required to be available on-call evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Sites/locations encompass the mountains, the deserts, and the valleys. Promotion: Maintenance Worker Trainees are eligible for promotion to Maintenance Worker I upon successful completion of training and probation, possession of the required certifications and licenses, and receiving a recent successful work performance evaluation; must promote within 18 months or be terminated. Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is unable to consider candidates who require Visa Sponsorship at this time or in the future.

Candidates must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States at the time of employment. Minimum Requirements Candidates must meet both the license and ONE (1) of the experience options listed below: License: Must possess a valid CA Class "C" Driver's License -AND- Experience: Option A: Six (6) months of recent experience (within the last 5 years) in the maintenance, repair, or inspection of water/wastewater equipment and machinery. Option B: Six (6) months of recent experience (within the last 5 years) of general plumber experience with water and sewer systems for residential, commercial, or industrial facilities Option C: Nine (9) units of completed coursework directly related to water supply, distribution, treatment, or wastewater technology fields.

Option D: Possession of a current CA State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Distribution Operator Grade D1, or Water Treatment Operator Grade T1, or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I certification. . Desired Qualifications The ideal candidate will possess a valid CA Class A unrestricted driver license with tanker and hazmat endorsements, in addition to possession of the SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 certification, SWRCB T1 Water Treatment certification, and SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I certification.

Selection Process Application Procedure: To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until position is filled. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department. All communications regarding the selection process will be via email.

Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment. Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com

Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from email addresses with the following domain "@hr.sbcounty.gov". Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email.

We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application. All communications regarding the selection process will be via email.

Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mails frequently to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.

EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline. Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points.

For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Policy. For more important details, review the links below: Guide to Completing a County Job Application Applicant Information and the County Employment Process


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