Careers at KPUB
At Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB), providing outstanding customer service is fundamental to our company culture. Since 1987, we’ve been committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to the Kerrville area. We serve approximately 24,500 customers across a 146-square-mile area, including Kerrville, Center Point, Ingram, Hunt, and surrounding parts of Kerr County.
As a community-owned, not-for-profit electric utility company, our actions are guided by the best interests of our customers and community. Our leadership and team members live, work, and raise their families right here, ensuring a deep commitment to the areas we serve.
If you’re seeking a career with growth opportunities, excellent benefits, and a chance to make a difference in the community, consider joining KPUB, which is recognized as one of Kerrville’s Top Workplaces.
Benefits & Perks
We value our employees and strive to retain top talent by offering a comprehensive benefits package for our full-time team members, including:
- Competitive Compensation
- Health, Vision & Dental Insurance
- Life & AD&D Insurance
- Retirement Plans
- Deferred Compensation
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Time Off
- Cancer & Critical Illness Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Workplace Culture
Our commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture has earned us the distinction of being a Top Workplace Award recipient for the past two consecutive years.
At KPUB, you’ll find more than just a job—you’ll find a career and a tight-knit work family that cares for our community. We invest in our employees by providing various on-the-job and industry-specific training opportunities, empowering them to develop new skills and advance in their careers. We also value and prioritize work-life balance and enjoy employee-focused events, lunch-and-learn opportunities, wellness committees, and more.
Available Positions
TITLE: Utility Field Technician
POSITION STATUS: Full Time, Non-Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Field Services
REPORTS TO: Supervisor of Field Services
JOB SUMMARY:
The Utility Field Technician supports the safe, accurate, and reliable operation of KPUB’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). The position installs, tests, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs AMI meters and related equipment; monitors system alarms and meter data; investigates abnormal readings, customer concerns, and potential theft of service; and maintains accurate records to support billing, customer service, revenue protection, and field operations. The position also performs manual meter activities when remote functionality is unavailable and assists other Field Services personnel as assigned.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
AMI System Monitoring & Support
• Monitor AMI alarms, communications, and meter conditions using Landis+Gyr and related software systems on a daily basis.
• Investigate communication failures, abnormal conditions, and prolonged AMI equipment or software issues; promptly inform the supervisor of unresolved problems.
• Maintain approved software updates and deploy AMI system components in accordance with established procedures.
• Coordinate field service needs with Dispatch when alarms or system conditions require a service truck response.
Meter Installation, Testing & Maintenance
Install, inspect, test, calibrate, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair AMI meters, metering components, and related equipment.
• Perform meter change-outs, new AMI setups, first and final reads, meter testing, and manual reads when remote capability is unavailable.
• Inspect and service metering components and other assigned equipment to ensure safe and accurate operation.
• Perform visual inspections of KPUB facilities encountered during meter field inspections and report observed concerns.
Meter Data, Billing Support & Investigations
• Investigate unusual or abnormal readings, meter discrepancies, malfunctions, and customer complaints; re-read meters as necessary.
• Identify, investigate, document, and follow through on suspected meter tampering and theft of service under the direction of the supervisor.
• Generate, retrieve, verify, and maintain meter information, reports, data sheets, and documentation required for meter change-outs, AMI setups, and field activities.
• Accurately interpret reports, maps, meter data, and related materials and carry out appropriate procedures.
Customer Service & Departmental Coordination
• Meet and communicate professionally with customers regarding metering issues, usage concerns, and service-related questions.
• Coordinate with Customer Service, Billing, Dispatch, Operations, Engineering, and other KPUB departments as needed to resolve metering issues.
• Assist Utility Field Technicians and other Field Services personnel with assigned duties as operational needs require.
Safety, Equipment & Emergency Support
• Follow all applicable safety protocols, procedures, and processes identified in the KPUB Safety Manual and departmental practices.
• Perform assigned monthly equipment checks and submit completed inspection forms.
• Serve in the on-call System Dispatcher rotation as assigned and qualified.
• Perform other duties and special assignments as directed by the supervisor or General Manager/CEO.
Education, Training & Experience
• High school diploma or equivalent.
Technical Knowledge
• Knowledge of electric meters, metering equipment, lines, poles, and related electric distribution facilities.
• Experience reading meters and performing general meter maintenance.
• Working knowledge of AMI and meter data management systems, including Landis+Gyr or similar platforms.
• Working knowledge of NISC, SCADA, Microsoft Office, including Outlook and Excel, and other utility software applications.
Skills & Abilities
• Ability to diagnose metering and AMI equipment issues and perform appropriate testing, maintenance, calibration, and repair.
• Ability to read and comprehend technical information and accurately interpret reports, maps, meter data, and related materials.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interaction with employees and customers and for developing reports, procedures, and documentation.
• Ability to work independently, organize priorities, exercise sound judgment, and achieve assigned objectives.
• Ability to maintain confidential company and customer information.
Licenses & Other Requirements
• Valid Texas Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.
• Bondable.
• Ability to participate in on-call, emergency, overtime, weekend, or holiday assignments as required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Two (2) or more years of progressive electric metering field services experience and successful completion of SWEMA Introduction to Electrical Metering, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and technical training.
• Additional training or certification in AMI systems, electric metering, meter testing, or revenue protection.
• Experience with Landis+Gyr, NISC, SCADA, and meter data management systems in an electric utility environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, and work in and around field locations and utility facilities.
• Frequently use hands and fingers to handle meters, tools, test equipment, computers, mobile devices, and other equipment.
• Frequently communicate verbally and audibly with customers, employees, and field personnel.
• Frequently read and interpret meter displays, computer screens, labels, maps, reports, and technical documentation.
• Lift, carry, push, or move materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Operate a motor vehicle and travel throughout the KPUB service territory.
• Perform the essential functions of the job in a fast-paced and occasionally high-pressure environment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
WORKING CONDITIONS
• Work is performed in office, warehouse, vehicle, customer premises, roadside, and outdoor utility environments.
• Outdoor work may involve heat, cold, rain, wind, uneven terrain, traffic, insects, animals, and other field conditions.
• Potential exposure to electrical hazards, energized equipment, confined work areas, dust, noise, and moving vehicles or equipment; required personal protective equipment must be used.
• Frequent interaction with customers, contractors, field crews, office personnel, and management.
• May be required to work overtime, weekends, holidays, emergency call-outs, and on-call assignments.
Download a copy of this job description by clicking here.
Accommodation Request
If you have a disability and need accommodation(s) to apply for one of KPUB’s posted positions, please contact us:
Call: 1-830-792-8283
Email: [email protected]
Equal Employment Opportunity
KPUB actively promotes equal-opportunity employment and equal pay on the basis of merit and ability to perform work. Equal opportunity will be extended to all qualified employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, color religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, or disability.
E-Verify
U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States, either as U.S. citizens or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. KPUB participates in E-Verify, a U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services internet system that helps businesses determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the U.S.
Apprenticeship Program
At KPUB, we recognize the vital role utilities play in developing the next generation of skilled workers through robust apprenticeship programs. Our own KPUB Apprenticeship Program is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and undergoes regular audits to ensure it meets the highest standards of compliance and integrity.
To become a Journeyman Lineman, apprentices and trainees must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training along with 144 hours of independent coursework. Upon successful completion, graduates earn a certificate of completion and a nationally recognized certification that stays with them throughout their careers.
This is a paid program that emphasizes both hands-on experience and continued education. Apprentices work closely with experienced Journeymen in the field—learning directly from seasoned professionals who serve not only as coworkers but also as coaches, mentors, and teachers. Apprentices gain experience across various areas of the utility industry, including substations and power line operations.
Much of our linemen’s continued success is a testament to the exceptional training and guidance they receive from our Journeymen. Since 2006, 27 apprentices have successfully completed KPUB’s apprenticeship program and received their Department of Labor certifications.
We are incredibly proud of our dedicated linemen, whose commitment and expertise ensure our community receives safe, reliable power—day in and day out.
Get an inside look into Kerrville Public Utility Board’s lineman apprenticeship program:
Community Involvement
KPUB is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the community we serve and making the Kerrville area a better place to work, live and raise our families. We promote employee involvement in our community by allowing employees time away from work to volunteer to help at various nonprofit organizations in the area that support our citizens.
In addition, we also support employees as they volunteer to participate on various nonprofit boards throughout the community. As you join KPUB, please discuss your volunteer aspirations with your supervisor.