Maintenance/Emergency Repair Utility Worker III - DPW, Utilities, Maintenance 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, 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 85 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 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.

• 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
• 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 M-scope or other radio locating device when needed to accomplish the location of water/sewer lines.
• 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.
• Perform overtime work and may perform on-call services.
• May perform duties of a Utility Worker II.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

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.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

• Class A, or A Restricted, Commercial Driver's License, or the ability to obtain one 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.

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