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Title:  Meter Technician Apprentice

Department:  Field Metering
Location: 

Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824

Category:  Skilled/Craft/Trades

Minimum Pay Rate: $43.98 per hour

Maximum Pay Rate: $64.26 per hour

Apply by Date: 10/27/2025 

Posting Type: Open 

 

This posting intends to fill two regular full-time positions and establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill permanent and limited term vacancies for the next two years. 

 

Every day at SMUD, we deliver power to more than 1.5 million customers throughout the Sacramento area. As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we have been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 75 years. We are a recognized industry leader and award winner for our innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for our sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. Through the efforts of the 2,400 people that power us, we work 24/7 to keep the lights on and provide our customers with innovative energy solutions. We're one of the region's largest employers, with a reputation for attracting, developing, and retaining some of the most  talented employees around.

 

Employee Benefits:

  • Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • Retirement through Public Employees Retirement System457 and 401(k) plans available
  • Flexible Savings Account
  • Short and Long Term Disability
  • Employee and Spouse Life Insurance

 

 

 

Purpose

Under close supervision, incumbents in this class learn to install, maintain, and repair electromechanical and electronic meters and associated equipment. All work is to be performed in a safe manner and efficiency improvement as the incumbent progresses through the apprenticeship.

Nature and Scope

This is the Apprentice-level classification in the Meter Technician class series. Incumbents in this classlearn, through progressive on-the-job training of typically 48 months, to perform work in the installation, maintenance and repair of electromechanical and electronic meters and associated equipment. Training is also provided via formal classroom theory as well as a written and practical tests given at 6 month intervals. Initial close instruction and guidance from a journey-level Meter Technician or Senior Meter Technician is provided on new tasks and indirect supervision may be required on work for which theApprentice has been trained and is qualified to perform.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under supervision and instruction, an Apprentice learns to perform the following:

  • Installs, maintains, and repairs electromechanical and electronic meters and associated equipment.
  • Installs, tests, troubleshoot, and repairs electronic and electromechanical kWh meters and various electronic data recorders. 
  • Installs and maintains solid-state isolation relays used for data acquisition and customer load management; installs, troubleshoots, and maintains various types of transducers.
  • Wires, installs, tests and maintains all new commercial metering installations, including 12kV primary voltage revenue-metering installations.
  • Tests and installs buss/doughnut type current transformers. 
  • Investigates the causes of commercial/residential metering problems, makes repairs, and/or advises customers on possible solutions to their problems.
  • Trains Apprentices on all aspects of the installation and maintenance of the various types of electronic data recorders, transducers, current transformers, air temperature sensors, and flow sensors on electrical panels and equipment used for data collection; provides meter training to other departments.
  • Utilizes personal computers to program time of use and other electronic kWh meter registers and various electronic data recorders; utilizes electronic data readers to down-load electronic data recorders and up-load to local area network and for verification of data.
  • Inspects new meter panels to verify adherence to SMUD regulations, NEC codes, and local inspecting agencies.
  • Maintains good public relations while interacting with SMUD customers, local contractors, and county and city electrical inspectors.

Required Education

  • High School diploma or equivalent

Required Experience Qualifications

  • Equivalent to completion of sufficient formal and/or informal education and relevant work experience to provide the necessary knowledge and skills

Knowledge Of

Gains a knowledge of: The principles of electricity applicable to power distribution; principles of electricity and electronics as applied to the analysis of single-phase and poly-phase meters, standards and electronic data recorders; electric and electronic metering devices; operation and metering effects of instrument transformers; principles of reactive volt-ampere-hour measurement; vector analysis; all phases of calibration, repair, and maintenance of meters; meter selection for proper metering of electrical energy; regulations, codes, and standard metering work and equipment; safety standards and practices; computer hardware and software as it pertains to metering.

Skills To

Learn to and develops proficiency in skill to: Read and identify circuitry from schematics and diagrams; designate appropriate metering; properly wire complex color-coded meter installations; perform accurate calibrations in the shop or in the field; use a variety of metering and testing equipment; prepare accurate reports on meter installations which may include trigonometry and other graphic representations; read and interpret technical manuals and specifications; work safely around high voltages; keep abreast of new technological advances in the field of metering; perform metering calculations using algebra and trigonometry; exercise independent judgment in decision making; train, advise, and instruct apprentices and other employees on metering and safety procedures; establish and maintain harmonious work relationships with customers, contractors, other SMUD employees, and other utility personnel.

Desirable Qualifications

  • 1 year experience installing/removal electric meters
  • Experience with electrical safe work practices
  • Familiarity with electrical testing equipment to include multi-meters/voltage testers
  • Demonstrated working knowledge of electrical theory

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

 

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

 

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together. 

 

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification.  As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

 

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
 

Why Sacramento, California?

 

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

 

On-site Work

 

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.
Req ID:  2444

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