Utility Worker III - Public Works, Bureau of Highways/Dayton Shop

Howard County:

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:

Howard County is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking. What are we looking for? We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations. What you'll like most about working at

Howard County Government:

We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government. We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged! We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY

Operates heavy motor and construction equipment, complex mechanical equipment, and power tools.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE

$23.20 - $25.60 $48,247 - $53,239 CLASS

DESCRIPTION

This is skilled manual work performing various laboring operations. Work includes performing skilled duties involving the use of a variety of hand and power tools and equipment. Work may include assisting in the instruction and direction of subordinate crew members as assigned by the crew leader. Work includes tasks needed in the construction, operation and maintenance of public works facilities in the unit to which the employee is assigned. Work is performed with general supervision from a crew leader or technical superior. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines. The work includes limited contact with the public to answer routine inquiries or respond to complaints.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Operates heavy construction equipment such as hydraulic excavators, track loaders, and wheel loaders in grading earth, sloping banks, cutting ditches, clearing road shoulders, and other activities. May direct a crew assigned by the foreman or supervisor in the absence of MEO II in such jobs as excavation, road resurfacing, grading, clearing trees, brush and debris removal, grading shoulders and banks, laying pipe, highway and parking lot striping and a variety of other operations. Trains subordinate crew members in equipment operations, trade practices and in care and use of tools and materials. Observes instruments while vehicle is in operation; takes corrective action if malfunction is noted; inspects vehicle for loose parts, damaged or worn tires or tracks, proper air pressure in tires and other items affecting safe equipment operations; performs routine and preventative maintenance as established by the unit. Understands and follows oral and written instructions and directions. Operates snowplow and salt spreader. Reads blue prints and does stake outs. This position is considered emergency essential, and as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or when an emergency situation arises. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of the tenth school grade and three years of progressively responsible general laboring work, some of which has included crew leader responsibility or the operation of large dump trucks or other motor equipment of the same complexity.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Skill in the safe and efficient operation of dump trucks and other motor equipment of the same complexity both on and off the highway. Skilled in the operation of hand and power tools. Ability to service motor equipment. Ability to learn the operation of mechanical equipment such as forklifts, backhoes, hydraulic excavator, front end loaders, and other heavy construction equipment. Ability to learn the geography of the County. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, directions, and traffic signals. Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged period of time often under adverse weather conditions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates. Ability to perform preventive maintenance on above mentioned equipment and vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is very loud. The employee may be exposed to high temperatures given off by various materials.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos and read a road map. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one to fellow workers and vendors. Ability to add and subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid Maryland Class "B" commercial driver's license (CDL). Possession of a valid Maryland Approved Flagger Certification and Forklift Certification are required within six months of employment. A Confined Space Training Certification may be required, if work assignment warrants. Possession of a Tree Expert License issued by the State of Maryland may be required depending upon work assignment and must be obtained within Department established time frames and maintained during tenure of employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TO APPLY:

You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks. At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or

World Education Services:

International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/). Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service , sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.