Utility Worker III - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Service Division

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 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 the complexity of using a variety of equipment and documents to identify and accurately locate various underground utility lines throughout the county. The work must be performed correctly to prevent damage, to avoid interruption of services to the public, and to facilitate work performed by the County, utility companies and contractors. 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 considerable contact with the public to answer routine inquiries or respond to complaints.

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 crew leader.  Work includes tasks needed in the construction, operation and maintenance of public works facilities in the unit 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.

• Marks locations of water/sewer house connections and mains in accordance with calls from the Maryland "One Call" Center.  
• This program, also known as "Miss Utility", is required under Maryland State Law.
• Operates Vivax 810 or other radio locating device when needed to accomplish the location of water/sewer lines.  
• Drive a dump truck with/without a trailer for hauling sand, stone, pipe, backhoe and other materials to/from construction projects. 
• All bulk materials will be removed or brought in by truck.  
• Load and unload a backhoe for delivery to and return from job site for various construction projects.
• Operates a backhoe or other heavy construction equipment under supervision.  
• Work with a construction crew on water and sewer installations and repairs.   
• Operates a sewer jet truck in the routine maintenance and emergency relief of sanitary sewers and house connections.
• Operates a sewer vactor unit for cleaning wet wells, storm drains, and manholes.  
• Inspects sanitary sewer manholes and pipelines for condition and flow characteristics.  
• Inspects and maintains utility right of way for access and maintenance.
• Carries all hand tools necessary to open manholes. 
• Updates sewer records with results of findings and assists repair crews.   
• Reads residential and commercial water meters for billing and maintenance activities.  
• Performs new meter installations.  
• Performs meter repairs both inside buildings/homes and outside in pits.  
• Performs high usage meter investigations.  
• Troubleshoots and resolves various pressure and flow related inquires and complaints.
• Act as construction crew leader in the absence of the Utility IV.   
• Reads blueprints and contract maps.   
• Performs inspections and safety checks of equipment and vehicles; performs routine and preventive maintenance to heavy equipment and other mechanical systems.   
• Observes instruments while vehicle is in operation; takes routine corrective action if malfunction is noted; inspects vehicle for loose parts, damaged or worn tires and other items affecting safe equipment operation and reports items to supervisor.  
• Assists in various construction activities at sites performing manual labor, and using hand/power tools, motorized equipment and heavy mobile equipment.   
• Maintains various logs and other operating records documenting assigned tasks and maintenance.   
• Perform crew leader functions, as assigned.   
• Trains subordinate crew members in equipment operations, in trade practices and care and use of tools and materials.   
• 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.   
• This position will be assigned stand-by status on a rotational basis.  
• Performs overtime work and may perform on-call services.  
• 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. 

 

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

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 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 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.   
• 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 deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to regularly use independent judgment, analysis, evaluation, and consultation to carry out detailed but not complex instructions presented in written, oral, or diagram form. 

• Class A or A Restricted Commercial Driver's License, or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire date   
• Confined Space Training Certification, when required by work assignment. 
• 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 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. 

Salary : $46,842 - $75,982