Utility Worker II - Department of Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Maintenance Division

Position Summary/Class DescriptionHoward 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 GovernmentHoward 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 SummaryThis is an outdoor, semi-skilled position that provides both manual labor and equipment operation support to accomplish the organizations objectives of working on a sewer cleaning crew performing program maintenance of sewer lines, working on a construction crew repairing buried water and sewer pipes and appurtenances and walking and driving assigned meter routes. Positions will rotate between the different maintenance and service divisions of the Bureau of Utilities.***This position is represented under one of the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement to include Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810. ***Class DescriptionThis 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 or supervisor. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines.Essential Duties And ResponsibilitiesInclude the following. Other related duties may be assigned:Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.Pipeline MaintenanceLearns and performs all essential job functions accurately.Works as part of a construction crew performing installation/maintenance of water and sewer lines.Operates a variety of equipment such as cement mixers, forklifts, jackhammers, and compactors in maintenance work, and other laboring activities as required.Performs routine maintenance on power equipment including lubrication, cleaning, and sharpening.Meter MaintenanceReads residential water meters for billing and maintenance functions using electronic devices or manually.Assist with reading and repairs of large commercial meters.Utilizes a handheld computer to locate property and record water meter readings.Performs residential water meter repairs in outside meter pits and inside private homes.Performs meter pit grade adjustments.Hangs turnoff notices on properties for delinquent accounts.Turns water service off/on for delinquent accounts.May collect payments from customers from delinquent accounts.May be required to deal directly with the public at the work site.May perform duties of Utility Worker I.This position is responsible for coaching and training Utility Worker I's and newly hired or promoted Utility Worker II's.May on occasion utilize light duty vehicles for plowing snow and material application.Sets up work zone traffic control. Directs traffic during work activities.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.The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.This job has no supervisory responsibilities.Minimum Required Education/ExperienceAny combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform semi-skilled manual work and one 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 AbilitiesKnowledge of the methods and techniques of operating and caring for hand and power tools and the ability to learn the operation of such tools.Knowledge of standard practices of operations.Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.Ability of learn safe and correct work procedures.Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.Ability to work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and coworkers.Physical Demands And Work EnvironmentThe 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 to finger, 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 95 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 employee is frequently exposed to traffic hazards, walking hazards, confined space hazards, customer pets, poisonous plants. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.Language Skills, Mathematical Skills And Reasoning AbilityAbility to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, and to read a road map.Ability to write simple correspondence and maintain records.Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations.Ability to add, 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.CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONSClass C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence.Ability to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Tanker Endorsement within six (6) months of employment.Maryland State DOT certified Flagger Certification within six (6) months of employment.OSHA 10 Certification within six (6) months of employment.Additional InformationTO 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. The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/human-resources/benefit-plans.FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $2500 contingent upon County funding.PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Employees who have worked for the county for at least twelve (12) months are eligible for twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the qualifying birth of a child, or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care. Leave must be used within the 12 months following the birth or placement.LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance.CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.01Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state "see resume" will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.I have read and understand the language outlined above.02Do you have a minimum of one year of experience in general laboring or public works maintenance and construction activities which included the use of small hand and power tools?YesNo03If you have a minimum of one year of experience in general laboring or public works maintenance and construction activities which included the use of small hand and power tools, please explain in detail where you acquired this experience04Briefly describe your customer service experience.05Do you possess a Class B CDL (Commercial Driver's License)?YesNo06Do you have Maryland State DOT certified Flagger Certification?YesNo07Do you possess a Class C driver's license valid in the state of Maryland?YesNo08If you reside outside of Maryland, are you 21 years old or older?Yes, I am 21 years old or older.No, I am not 21 years old or older.N/A, I reside within Maryland.09Are you aware that this position requires that you function as "essential" personnel? Meaning that you are expected to work during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and at an on-call basis?YesNo10Are you aware that this position will be assigned stand-by status on a rotational basis?YesNo11I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit www.governmentjobs.com, click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts.I have read and understand the language outlined above.12I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.I have read and understand the language outlined above. Required Question