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Water Meter Reader Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Conduct basic laboratory tests to ensure proper treatment of water and wastewater within the treatment facilities. Tasks include sampling, recording of sample data, and meter readings. Essential ...

... gas, water and electric utility meter reading and related technologies Experience with GIS mapping software such as MapInfo Experience with GPS and coordinate data Experience with RF propagation ...

... water and electric utility meter reading and related technologies • Experience with GIS mapping software such as MapInfo • Experience with GPS and coordinate data • Experience with RF ...

Operator-in-Training

Hood River, OR

$18.25 - $24/hr

General Statement Performs a variety of tasks in the operation and maintenance of a water ... Maintains shift log and records meter and gauge readings * Collects samples and performs routine ...

Operator II

The Dalles, OR

$18.50 - $24.50/hr

... meter and gauge readings. * Collects samples and performs routine laboratory tests. * Measure water and oil levels in monitoring wells * Transfer oil from oil/water separators to storage tank

Sanitation Technician (61096)

Hood River, OR · On-site

$17.13 - $18.69/hr

Collect water samples once a week, calibrate pH meter three times a week to be compliance with the ... Basic reading, oral, and written communication skills. * Ability to follow instructions and ...

Sanitation Technician (61096)

Hood River, OR · On-site

$17.13 - $18.69/hr

Collect water samples once a week, calibrate pH meter three times a week to be compliance with the ... Basic reading, oral, and written communication skills. * Ability to follow instructions and ...

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Water Meter Reader information

See Oregon salary details

$25.4K

$49.1K

$87.2K

How much do water meter reader jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for water meter reader in Oregon is $49,130.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,600.00 and $53,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water meter reader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Meter Reader, you need attention to detail, basic math skills, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with handheld data collection devices, GPS systems, and utility billing software is typically required. Strong communication, time management, and problem-solving skills help you interact with customers and efficiently handle route schedules. These abilities ensure accurate readings, timely reporting, and excellent customer service, which are vital for efficient utility operations.

What does a water meter reader do?

As a water meter reader, your job is to support the utilities of your area by reading residential, commercial, industrial, and park water meters to ensure correct billing. To support this, you may provide repair and customer service, and monitor the water network for problems. In this job, you often use hand-held computers to input data about meters, code violations, needed repairs, and hazardous conditions. Other times, you talk with business owners and maintenance engineers, confirm earlier readings for unusually high or low results, and use equipment to search for toxic gases. Most readers check up to 500 water meters each day.

What is the difference between Water Meter Reader vs Water Service Technician?

AspectWater Meter ReaderWater Service Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; training on meter readingHigh school diploma; may require certifications in plumbing or water systems
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, reading meters at customer locationsIndoor and outdoor; repairing and maintaining water systems
Employer & IndustryWater utility companies, municipalitiesWater utility companies, plumbing services
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference is that Water Meter Readers primarily focus on reading and recording water usage data, often outdoors at customer sites, while Water Service Technicians handle repairs, maintenance, and troubleshooting of water systems. Both roles are essential in water utility operations but differ in responsibilities and skill requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by water meter readers and how can they be managed?

Water Meter Readers often work outdoors in varying weather conditions, which can pose physical challenges such as extreme heat, cold, or rain. Additionally, navigating private properties and dealing with potential obstacles like locked gates or pets require professionalism and problem-solving skills. Time management is crucial, as meeting daily or weekly reading targets is a key responsibility. Building a routine, staying organized, and adhering to safety protocols can help manage these challenges effectively.

What does a water meter reader do?

A Water Meter Reader is responsible for visiting residential, commercial, and industrial properties to record water usage by reading water meters. They ensure accurate meter readings, report any irregularities or signs of leaks, and sometimes handle minor maintenance tasks. The data they collect is used by water utilities to generate customer bills and monitor water consumption. Water Meter Readers often work outdoors in various weather conditions and may interact with customers to answer basic questions about their water usage.
What are popular job titles related to Water Meter Reader jobs in Oregon? For Water Meter Reader jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Water Meter Reader jobs in Oregon look for? The top searched job categories for Water Meter Reader jobs in Oregon are:
What cities in Oregon are hiring for Water Meter Reader jobs? Cities in Oregon with the most Water Meter Reader job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Water Meter Reader jobs in OR? For Water Meter Reader jobs in OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Water Meter Reader job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,130 per year, or $23.6 per hour.

Utilities Maintenance Specialist

City of Wilsonville, OR

Wilsonville, OR • On-site

$31.12 - $39.69/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Salary: $31.12 - $39.69 Hourly
Location : Public Works - Wilsonville, OR
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2027-00003
Department: Public Works
Division: Utilities
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/6/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Overview
Help keep our community running by maintaining the critical infrastructure that delivers clean water, manages stormwater, and protects public health and the environment. As a Utilities Maintenance Worker, you will perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled work to inspect, operate, maintain, and repair the City's water distribution, stormwater, and wastewater collection systems. Your work plays a vital role in ensuring these essential public services remain safe, reliable, and efficient for the community.
This position reports directly to the Utilities Supervisor and may also receive technical and functional direction from other Public Works staff. At the request of the Supervisor, the incumbent may assist in coordinating and monitoring the work of seasonal and temporary employees assigned to the Utilities Division.
This is the journey-level classification within the Utilities Maintenance series and is responsible for performing the full range of duties required to maintain City utility infrastructure in a safe, effective, and dependable operating condition. Incumbents perform a wide variety of inspection, maintenance, repair, and operational tasks, responding to both routine maintenance needs and unexpected system issues in a timely and professional manner. The position requires sound judgment, technical skill, and a commitment to safety while helping ensure the City's utility systems continue to provide reliable service to residents and businesses.
This classification is distinguished from the Water Distribution Technician, which serves as the lead-level position within the division. The Water Distribution Technician provides technical and functional direction to lower-level staff and is assigned the division's most complex and specialized maintenance, repair, and operational responsibilities.
Our Utilities team is looking to fill two positions: Utilities Maintenance Specialist for Wastewater and Utilities Maintenance Specialist for Water Distribution. Please answer all supplemental questions to indicate which position matches your experience best.
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The following tasks are representative and are not to be considered all inclusive.
Utilities Maintenance
  • Inspects water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to assess general condition and ensure compliance with city construction standards; maintains infrastructure consistent with industry operations and maintenance practices.
  • Assists with plan review, punch list development and final inspection for city infrastructure projects maintained by Public Works.
  • Performs utility locating for all city-owned utilities; retrieves data, maintains accurate records and files, assists contractors and city staff as required to locate underground utilities according to the OUCC/OUNC Standards Manual.
  • Assists with installing, repairing or replacing water meters, fire hydrants, blow offs, air reliefs and other water distribution appurtenances.
  • Replaces and maintains meter boxes and lids.
  • Assists with completing work orders and performing various customer service tasks such as investigating customer concerns and locking and unlocking water meters.
  • Delivers customer service notices.
  • Performs routine landscaping duties around water meters, fire hydrants, valves, vaults, off street manholes, and various stormwater facilities.
  • Reads water meters upon request.
  • Assists with turning water main valves on or off.
  • Assists with annual utility maintenance programs, including valve actuation, water main flushing, hydrant maintenance and water meter replacement.
  • Performs repairs and maintenance on wastewater and stormwater collection system including main lines, manholes, catch basins and water quality facilities.
  • Mitigates public hazards related to ice and snow during inclement weather.
  • Provides support for special events, including set up, take down, and clean up.
  • Participates in assessing and mitigating hazardous materials spills as needed.
  • Completes assigned tasks using the City's asset management program.
  • Collects filed data and modifies asset records using the City's asset management program.
  • Conducts flow monitoring, dye tests, smoke tests, and tests of drainage, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

Equipment Operation and Maintenance
  • Safely operates equipment necessary to perform work.
  • Performs routine inspection and maintenance necessary for the efficient and safe operation of the equipment (safety inspection, grease and oil, hydraulic systems, etc.)
  • Correctly operates equipment and vehicles to reduce waste, limit noise pollution, and maximize effectiveness.
  • Promptly reports equipment and vehicle problems to Fleet Services personnel.
  • Use desktop computers and mobile devices in accordance with City policy.

Department Organization
  • Effectively communicates orally and in writing with employees from all departments and outside agencies to efficiently coordinate and implement the work program.
  • Effectively communicates with the general public in order to coordinate work and provide general information in support of City activities.

Complete other tasks as assigned.
Customer Service Standards for Employees

These standards are to ensure the organization is focused on providing high quality service to the public and other employees. Employees are expected to meet these standards as part of their job responsibilities.
Communication
  • Acknowledge customers when they enter a city facility by greeting them with a smile and positive tone of voice whether in person, on the phone or in email.
  • Gather necessary information to assist the customer. Where possible, handle issues/questions/requests without transferring customer to someone else.
  • Seek out answers to questions first; if unsuccessful provide name/contact information of someone who can assist.
  • Listen, understand, and clarify to gain in depth understanding of the needs to ensure they are being met.
  • Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner.
  • Be positive and enthusiastic when speaking with customers.

Respect
  • Be courteous and polite.
  • Treat customers with dignity and respect.
  • Understand customer's expectations and treat them as a priority.
  • Actively listen and give customer undivided attention.
  • Appreciate differing perspectives, opinions, and needs.
  • Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior.

Responsiveness
  • Provide prompt and reliable service.
  • Respond to phone/email as soon as possible.
  • Follow through in a timely manner on commitments made to customers and provide estimated timeline for completion.
  • Change voicemail and email when out of office/unavailable and provide alternate contact person for customers.
  • Demonstrate a "can-do" approach.
  • Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions.

Qualifications
Education: High School Diploma or GED
Experience: Four years of experience or vocational training in construction, excavation, and/or maintenance related to drinking water, stormwater, or wastewater systems.
Required Certifications/Licenses
Possess or obtain within six (6) months of hire:
Oregon Commercial Driver License - Class B with tanker endorsement
Flagging Certificate
Cave-in Protection/Competent Person/ Confined Space
CPR/First Aid and AED Certification
Public Pesticide Applicators License - Right of Way
Possess or obtain within eighteen (18) months of hire:
  • Water Distribution and/or Wastewater Collections level I or higher; or
  • Erosion and Sediment Control Manager Certification, Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead Training, or other alternately approved Erosion Control Inspection Training; and Vegetated Private Water Quality Facilities (VPWQF) certification
Desired but not required:
Cross Connection Specialist Certification
State of Oregon Road Scholar 1 Certification
One year certificate or an Associate's Degree in a Water and Environmental Technology program.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Ability to operate various types of equipment and tools.
  • Ability to perform repairs and maintenance of various infrastructure, equipment, and systems.
  • Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
  • Ability to learn and adhere to City policies, procedures, and requirements related to procurement, safety, and operations.
  • Knowledge of safety practices and procedures applicable to area of assignment.
  • Ability to apply knowledge of safety standards, best industry practices, and approved procedures relating to the essential functions of the position.
  • Knowledge of safe and effective operating practices for vehicles and applicable equipment.
  • Knowledge of maintenance construction and repair methods and procedures used in assigned area.
  • Basic knowledge of and ability to learn about traffic systems, signs, street lights, and signals, techniques of flagging and traffic control.
  • Basic knowledge of and ability to learn to operate heavy equipment and power tools used in maintenance operations.
  • Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems, including computer hardware and software and mobile devices.
  • Ability to perform heavy manual work under confined conditions and in inclement weather.
  • Ability to determine appropriate resources needed for a project.
  • Ability to interpret construction plans.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Ability to work as a team member.
  • Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information
Work Environment: Work is mainly performed outdoors regardless of weather conditions. Fieldwork may occur in developed areas as well as active construction zones, including rights-of-way. The responsibilities of the position frequently place the employee in close proximity to heavy construction equipment, open excavations, uneven terrain, and paving projects. Incumbent may be required to work in extreme weather conditions, utilize chemicals, and work in active traffic zones.
Physical Requirements: Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines, and to climb and descend ladders, and operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, tablet, and/or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.
Cognitive Functions: Work is performed with moderate level of independence within well-defined policies and procedures yielding some latitude. Problems encountered can be of moderate difficulty; however, precedent is generally available.
Tools/Equipment Used: Including but not limited to backhoes, utility vehicles, dump trucks, combination sewer cleaner truck, weed trimmers, fertilizer spreader, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, generators, compressors, trailer mounted vacuum excavator, concrete saw, chipper, paint sprayers, utility locating equipment, hydraulic pipe cutter and various electric, and manually powered hand tools; leak detector, pH meter, chlorine residual tester, gas cutting torch, mowers, trailers, mini-excavator, and tractors with attachments. General office equipment including but not limited to: desktop computers and mobile devices, printer, telephone, fax machine, and copy machine; computer software including but not limited to: word-processing, spreadsheet, website, and database programs.
The City of Wilsonville offers a generous benefit package including:
Healthcare Benefits: The City offers an extensive employee benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, life, and long term disability plans. Cost share amounts are dependent on an employee's full-time equivalent status.
Retirement: The City is a member of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System and currently contributes the employee's portion of the retirement system. Employees may also elect to participate in one of two voluntary deferred compensation programs.
Wellness Program: The City offers a generous wellness program, including gym membership reimbursements for employees
Vacation: Based on years of service, full-time employees begin accruing vacation leave at 12 days per year.
Sick Leave: Full-time employees accrue 8 hours per month.
Holidays: 10 paid holidays per year.
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If you are a veteran, select the option that best describes your veteran status. Please note, you must provide proof of your eligibility for veteran's preference by attaching your DD-214 or your DD-215 to your application.
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