Job Description

Posting number: 26-00501

Department: Public Works

Job classification: Utility Worker III- Public Works, Bureau of UtilitiesMaintenance Division

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, 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 the 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.*

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 contacts with the public to answer routine inquiries or respond to complaints.

*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

Equipment Operation:

• Drives a dump truck with or without a trailer to haul sand, stone, pipe, backhoe, and other materials.
• Loads and unloads a backhoe for delivery and return.
• Operates a backhoe or other heavy construction equipment under supervision.
• Operates sewer jet trucks for routine maintenance and emergency sewer relief.
• Operates sewer vactor units for cleaning wet wells, storm drains, and manholes.
• Operates the M-scope or other radio locating devices to locate water/sewer lines.
• Performs inspections and safety checks of equipment and vehicles; performs routine and preventive maintenance.
• Observes instruments during vehicle operation and takes corrective action as needed.

Construction and Field Work:

• Works with construction crews on water and sewer installations and repairs.
• Assists in various construction activities using hand/power tools, motorized equipment, and heavy mobile equipment.
• Acts as construction crew leader in absence of Utility IV.

Utility System Maintenance and Inspection:

• Inspects sanitary sewer manholes and pipelines for condition and flow characteristics.
• Inspects and maintains utility rights of way.
• Carries required hand tools to open manholes.
• Updates sewer records and assists repair crews.
• Marks water/sewer house connections and mains per Maryland “One Call”/Miss Utility requirements.

Meter Services:

• Reads residential and commercial water meters for billing and maintenance.
• Performs new meter installations.
• Performs meter repairs inside homes/buildings and outside in pits.
• Conducts high-usage meter investigations.
• Troubleshoots pressure and flow inquiries and complaints.

Documentation and Recordkeeping:

• Maintains logs and operating records documenting tasks and maintenance activities.
• Reads blueprints and contract maps.

Leadership and Training:

• Trains subordinate crew members on equipment operations, trade practices, and proper use of tools/materials.

Emergency, Stand-By, and Additional Duties:

• Serves as emergency essential staff and may be required to report during inclement weather or emergency situations.
• Assigned stand-by status on a rotational basis.
• Performs overtime and on-call duties.
• May perform duties of a Utility Worker II as needed.

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 know ledges, 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 small hand and power tools.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION:

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

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.