Posting number: 26-00580
Department: Public Works
Division: DPW - Environmental Services
Job classification: Utility Worker II- Public Works, Environmental Services/Operations
Posting type: Open
Categories: Environmental Services, Public Works
Howard County:
Convenientlylocatedin 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 organizationrepresentingcounty-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:
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is a semi-skilled position performing various laboring and equipment operations functions at the County's landfill. Work includes performing semi-skilled duties involving the use of a variety of hand and power tools/equipment and limited use of motorized equipment. Work includes tasksrequiredfor the operation and maintenance of the landfill property and facilities. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried outin accordance withinstructions and established routines.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$21.03 - $23.22
$43,748 - $48,290
*This is theanticipatedstarting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will bedeterminedby the Office of Human Resources,commensuratewith experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situatedroles.*
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This is a semi-skilled position performing general laboring operations. Work includes performing assignments involving the use of avarietytools. This class is differentiated from the Utility I level by the complexity of duties assigned and greater independence of action.
Work is performed with general supervision from a crew leader. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried outin accordance withinstructions and established routines.
*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 Local1810.*
Facility Operations & Customer Service:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Site Maintenance & Environmental Monitoring:
Administrative Tasks & Recordkeeping:
Other Duties:
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Any combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilitiesrequiredto perform semi-skilled manual work and one year experience in general laboring or public works maintenance and construction activities which include the use of small hand and power tools.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Annual Medical Certification, when required by work assignment.
Annual respirator fit test, when required by work assignment.
OSHA/MOSHA Annual Training Certification, when required by work assignment.
CDL B within 6 months of hire.
Forklift operator certification within 2 months of hire.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the methods and techniques of operating and caring for hand and power tools, and heavy equipment.
Skill in the operation of hand and power tools.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.
Ability to compute weights and fees, and to maintain records and prepare reports.
Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public.
Fluency in a second language.
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 employeeis regularly required tostand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Theemployeefrequentlyis required tostoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. ?The employeeis occasionally required toclimb or balance and taste or smell. The employee mustfrequentlylift 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. Reasonableaccommodationsmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed tooutside weatherconditions. The employee isfrequentlyexposed to moving mechanical parts and toxic or caustic chemicals. ?The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles,dustand molds. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICALSKILLSAND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read andcomprehendsimple 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 and subtracttwo digitnumbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
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.
