Utility Worker III - Public Works, Bureau of Highways, Mayfield 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 Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

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 skilled manual work performing various laboring operations necessary for the maintenance of the County roadways and appurtenances. Work includes operating heavy motor and construction equipment, complex mechanical equipment, and power tools.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$22.52 - $25.49
$46,842 - $53,019

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. 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 blueprints 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this position. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of the tenth school grade and three (3) 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. 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.