What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineering Specialist II - Department of Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Technical Support position at Howard County Government?
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:
Professional engineering work for the Bureau of Utilities Technical Services Division.
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level engineering and/or architectural work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes designing engineering and/or architectural features to meet overall end-use objectives, reviewing engineering and construction plans, and assisting with preparation of planning and engineering documents.
Includes the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
SCADA (Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition):
Operates the county's remote computer control system (SCADA).
Ensures continuous remote automatic control of the county's water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
Revises, modifies, and updates SCADA programming, including display screens, control strategy, data communication, data acquisition, reporting, remote automatic alarming, remote connections, etc.
Oversees the upgrade of SCADA hardware and network.
Provides technical assistance to water and sewer facility maintenance personnel.
Provides on-call assistance when required.
Water and Sewer Developer Projects:
Provides technical assistance to outside engineering firms, hired by developers, for the purpose of designing new public water and sewer systems and facilities.
Provides recommendations to the Department of Planning and Zoning on proposed alignment, construction, and maintainability of the proposed water and sewer systems.
Ensures that water and sewer plans have been prepared in an acceptable manner, meeting county design standards, and satisfying concerns of the Bureau of Utilities.
Provides the Chief of the Bureau of Utilities with information required for project approval.
Capital Project Management:
Handles assignments as Project Engineer for various projects related to improvement, operation, and maintenance of the water distribution and wastewater collection systems, including developing technical bid specifications, coordinating and providing assistance to the Office of Procurement, reviewing bid documents and proposals, research references, recommending award, project management and project oversight.
Capital Project Review:
Conducts system operation and maintenance reviews for capital projects managed by other DPW Bureaus (Bureau of Engineering, Bureau of Highways, Bureau of Facilities and Bureau of Environmental Services).
Customer Service:
Provides assistance to county residents and builders on issues related to water and sewer locations, easement locations, easement use, easement restrictions, etc. Provides technical assistance as needed.
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.
Bachelor's degree in engineering with two (2) years' experience.Professional Engineer’s License.
Experience with reviewing water distribution and wastewater collection system design plans.
Temporary Traffic Control Manager’s certification
Erosion and Sediment Control Certification
NASSCO Inspector Training Certification for Cured-In-Place Pipe Installation
The physical demands and work environment 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 occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; 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, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and outside weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
- Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
- Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
- Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
- Ability to comprehend and apply principles of advanced calculus, modern algebra, and advanced statistical theory.
- Ability to work with concepts such as limits, rings, quadratic and differential equations, and proofs of theorems.
- Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.
- Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Salary : $82,464 - $158,791
