Job Description

Posting number: 26-00375

Department: Public Works

Division: DPW - Highways Mayfield Shop

Job classification: Utility Worker II- Public Works, Bureau of Highways/Maintenance

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Public Works

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 Government 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.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This is a semiskilled position that provides both manual labor and equipment operation support to accomplish the organizations objectives.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$21.03 - $23.22
$43,748 - $48,290

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This is semi-skilled manual work performing general laboring operations. Work includes performing assignments involving the use of a variety of tools. This class is differentiated from the Utility I level by the complexity of duties assigned and greater independence of action. Work is performed with general supervision from a crew leader or supervisor. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines.

*** Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810***

Examples of duties

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
• Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
• Operates a variety of equipment such as a spreader box; rollers; sweepers; hoses; cement mixers; forklifts; light tractor with sweeping and moving attachments, and compactors in highway maintenance work; and other laboring activities as required.
• Performs routine maintenance on power equipment including lubrication, cleaning, and sharpening.
• Uses scythes, lawn mower and other equipment to cut grass and weeds; uses chain saw and other tools to remove tree limbs, trees and debris.
• Lays brick in the construction of drainage boxes; builds elementary forms and guides for grading and masonry operations; installs such forms.
• Operates tailgate to regulate stone flow over tarred surfaces; uses air hammer to break paved surfaces; spreads concrete.
• Performs preventive maintenance on some equipment by changing oil and oil filters; checking battery water, transmission, brake and steering fluid levels; lubrication; charging batteries; cleaning engine parts; and changing tires and windshield wipers.
• Installs traffic and street signs.
• Assists in traffic signal maintenance operations.
• May be required to deal directly with the public at the work site.
• May perform duties of Utility Worker I.
• May on occasion operate paint spray equipment and highway striping equipment.
• May on occasion utilize light duty vehicles for plowing snow and material application.
• Sets up work zone traffic control.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.
• 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform semi-skilled manual work and one (1) year of experience in general laboring or public works maintenance and construction activities which included the use of small hand and power tools.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of operating and caring for hand and power tools and the ability to learn the operation of such tools.
• Knowledge of standard practices of operations.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability of learn safe and correct work procedures.
• Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and coworkers.

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; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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 regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, vibration, fumes, and/or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, and to read a road map. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations.

Ability to add, 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.

Supplemental information

• Possession of a valid Maryland Class "C" driver's license with the ability to obtain a Class "B" commercial driver's license (CDL).
• Possession of a valid Maryland approved flagger program card may be required, depending upon work assignment, and must be obtained within Department time frames and maintained during tenure of employment.
• Confined space training certification may also be required, when required by work assignment.