Utility Worker II - Public Works, Bureau of Highways, Maintenance

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 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 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 DESCRIPTION:

This is a semi-skilled position that provides both manual labor and equipment operation support to accomplish the organizations objectives as part of a Tree Maintenance Crew.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This is semi-skilled manual work performing general laboring operations. Work includes performing assignments involving the use of a variety of tools. 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 out in accordance with instructions and established routines.Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Directs traffic flow during work activities.

• Performs manual labor work associated with tree removal, tree trimming and stump removal.

• Performs some basic horicultural practices such as pruning, weeding and plant identification.

• Performs snow removal operations along County roadways.

• 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.

• 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.

• May be required to deal directly with the public at the work site.

• Required to operate a dump truck with attachments in an emergency operation.

• As an essential employee, will be required to work outside of regular work hours and during inclement weather conditions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.Any combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform semi-skilled manual work and one (1) 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. Possession of a valid Maryland Class C Drivers License or equivalent issued by state of residence, with the ability to obtain a Class B Commercial Drivers License within six (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.