Utility Worker IV - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Customer 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 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 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 includes 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. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines. The work includes limited contact with the public to answer routine inquiries or respond to complaints.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:

$23.65 - $26.09

$49,192 - $54,267

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This is skilled work at the crew leader level involving the driving of heavy trucks and the operating of heavy motor and construction equipment, complex mechanical equipment, and hand and power tools. Work includes manipulating a variety of complex controls simultaneously or non-simultaneously with the operation of the basic vehicle, providing routine and preventive maintenance to equipment, performing skilled laboring tasks when not operating motor equipment, and directing the activities of a crew of laboring and/or motor equipment personnel performing routine tasks.

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 vac 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 Metro Tech 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, GIS 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 in Hansen 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 I to a Utility Worker III.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. May serve as an Acting supervisor in the absence of a superior for specific job assignments.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of the tenth school grade and three years of progressively responsible general laboring work, some of which has included crew leader responsibility.

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 distribution and sewer collection facilities and meter installations and associated repairs.

Considerable knowledge of the geography of the County.

Knowledge of tools, equipment, materials, and supplies used in heavy utility construction and water & sewer maintenance work.

Knowledge of the functions, operation, and routine care and maintenance of a variety of wheeled and tracked motor equipment both on and off the highway, mechanical equipment, manual and power tools.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, directions, and traffic signals.

Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.

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; walk; sit; use hands & fingers, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and 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.

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 regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read a limited number of two- and three-syllable words and to recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers. Ability to print and speak simple sentences.

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers 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.

• Class A or A-Restricted Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or the ability to obtain within six months of hire date.

• Confined Space Training Certification, when required by work assignment.

• Maryland State DOT certified Flagging Card and Traffic Managers Certification.

• Water Distribution and Wastewater Collections 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.

• Water Sampling Certification, possession of such certification within time limits specified by the County.