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 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most in the state of Maryland. 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Directs traffic flow during work activities.
Operates a variety of equipment such as a spreader box, rollers, chippers, sweepers, hoses, cement mixers, forklifts, light tractor with sweeping and moving attachments, and compactors in highway maintenance work, and other laboring activities.
Performs routine maintenance on power equipment including lubrication, cleaning, and sharpening.
Uses 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 tail gate to regulate stone flow over tarred surfaces; used air hammer to break paved surfaces; spreads concrete.
Performs preventive maintenance on equipment by changing oil and oil filters, checking battery water, transmission brake and steering fluid levels, lubrication, charging batteries, and cleaning engine parts and components.
Changes flat or worn tires; repairs tubeless tires; removes and installs automotive lamps, fuses and windshield wipers.
Performs some basic horticultural practices, i.e. pruning, weeding, plant identification.
Fabricates and installs traffic and street signs.
Assists in traffic control maintenance operations.
May be required to deal directly with the public at the work site.
May be required to operate a dump truck with attachments in an emergency operation.
May perform duties of Utility Worker I.
Performs other duties as assigned or required.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform semi-skilled manual work and one 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.
Knowledge of standard practices of necessary operations.
Ability to learn the standard policies and procedures within the Bureau of Highways.
Ability to learn the safe operation of less complex types of motor and mechanical equipment.
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. The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
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 write simple correspondence.
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.
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.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid Maryland Class C Drivers License, or equivalent issued by state of residence, with the ability to obtain a CDL Class B Drivers License within 6 months.
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.

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 hripkin@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.