Job Description

Posting number: 27-00013

Department: Public Works

Division: DPW - Utility Service

Job classification: Utility Worker III - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities/Utility Service

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Miscellaneous, Utilities

Summary

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 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.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is a skilled position performing various laboring and equipment operations functions. 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 water meter reading, water meter repair, new meter installations, in-house meter appointments, delinquent account turn-on/offs, construction, operation and maintenance of the public works water and sewer systems including mains, manholes, valves, fire hydrants and other appurtenances depending on the Division 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.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:

$23.20 - $25.60

$48,247 - $53,239

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

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

*This position has been designated as "essential personnel," meaning an employee is expected to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis.*

Examples of duties

Meter Reading and Customer Service:

• Read residential and commercial water meters using electronic devices or manually.
• Assist with reading and repairs of large commercial meters.
• Utilize handheld computer to locate property and record meter readings.
• Perform high/low usage investigations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve pressure and flow inquiries and complaints.
• Turn water service off/on for delinquent accounts.

Meter Installation, Repair and Maintenance:

• Perform residential water meter repairs in meter pits and private homes.
• Perform meter pit grade adjustments.
• Install new residential and commercial meters.

Utility Locating and Records:

• Mark water/sewer house connections and mains in accordance with Maryland “Miss Utility” requirements.
• Operate M-scope or other radio locating devices.
• Inspect sanitary sewer manholes and pipelines for condition and flow.
• Inspect and maintain utility rights-of-way.
• Update sewer records and assist repair crews.
• Carry and use hand tools for manhole access.

Construction and Field Operations:

• Work with construction crew on water and sewer installations and repairs.
• Act as construction crew leader in absence of Utility IV.
• Assist in construction activities performing manual labor and using hand/power tools.
• Read blueprints and contract maps.

Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Operation:

• Drive dump truck with/without trailer hauling materials and equipment.
• Load/unload backhoe for transport to job sites.
• Operate backhoe and other heavy construction equipment under supervision.
• Operate sewer jet truck for maintenance and emergency sewer relief.
• Operate sewer vactor unit for cleaning wet wells, storm drains, and manholes.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance:

• Perform inspections and safety checks of vehicles and equipment.
• Conduct routine and preventive maintenance on heavy equipment and mechanical systems.
• Observe instruments during operations and take corrective action for malfunctions.
• Inspect vehicles for safety issues and report concerns.

Administrative and Leadership Tasks:

• Maintain logs and operating records.
• Perform crew leader functions as assigned.
• Train subordinate crew members in equipment operations, trade practices, and tool/material usage.

Emergency, Stand-By, and Additional Duties:

• Report during inclement weather or emergencies (emergency essential position).
• Serve on rotational stand-by status.
• Perform overtime and on-call work.
• May perform duties of a Utility Worker II.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. May serve as a crew leader for specific job assignments.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform skilled manual work in laboring operations and two (2) years of experience in general laboring or public works maintenance and construction activities, which included the use of hand and power tools.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Class A or A-Restricted Commercial Driver's License, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire date.
• Confined Space Training Certification, when required by work assignment.
• Maryland State DOT certified Flagging Card, when required by work assignment.
• Water and Sewer Operators License, possession of such licensure within time limits specified by the County.
• HazMat 40-hour training Certification, with 8-hour annual recertification, when required by work assignment.
• Annual Medical Certification, when required by work assignment.
• Annual SCBA Training Certification, including fit test, when required by work assignment.
• OSHA/MOSHA Annual Training Certification, when required by work assignment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of principles, practices, methods, techniques, hazards and safety rules and regulations of laboring and motor equipment operations and activities as they relate to heavy construction and maintenance work for water and sewer facilities and meter installations and repairs.
• Considerable knowledge of the geography of the County.
• Knowledge of tools, equipment, materials, and supplies used in heavy construction and maintenance work.
• Knowledge of the functions, operation, and routine care and maintenance of a variety of wheeled and tracked motorized equipment both on and off the highway.
• Skill in the safe and efficient operation of heavy and/or complex motor equipment and tools.
• Skill in the efficient use and care of mechanical equipment, manual tools and power tools.
• Ability to service wheeled and tracked motor equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, directions, and traffic signals.
• Ability to maintain records and complete reports of activities.
• Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to direct the activities of a laboring or motor equipment operation crew.
• Ability to work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, coworkers and supervisors.
• Ability to direct the activities of a laboring or motorized equipment operations crew.
• Ability to learn safe and correct work procedures.

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 use their hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color 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 and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to traffic hazards, walking hazards, confined space hazards, customer's pets, and poisonous plants. 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, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to perform these operations using units of weigh, volume, and distance measurements.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but not complex written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.