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 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most in the state of Maryland. 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.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is skilled work at the crew leader level involving the driving of heavy trucks, operating heavy motor and construction equipment, complex mechanical equipment, and hand power tools. Work includes manipulating a variety of complex controls simultaneously.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This is skilled work at the crew leader level involving driving heavy trucks, operating 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; directing the activities of a crew of laboring and/or motor equipment personnel when one is assigned. Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Operates motor equipment such as bulldozer, grader, hydraulic excavator in grading earth, sloping banks, cutting ditches, clearing road shoulders and other activities; operates wheeled earth moving, road building, and related motor equipment such as roller, loader, water truck, and dump truck.

Performs skilled construction and maintenance work as needed by unit to which assigned.

Directs a crew assigned by the foreman or supervisor to such jobs as excavation, road resurfacing, grading, clearing trees, brush and debris removal, grading shoulders and banks, snow removal, laying pipe, highway and parking lot striping, and a variety of other operations.

Reads blueprints and contract maps when needed to accomplish portions of a construction of maintenance project; demonstrates methods and techniques of such tasks and of general laboring and motor equipment operation activities; trains subordinate crew members in equipment operations, in trades practices, and in care and use of tools and materials.

Observes instruments while vehicle is in operation; takes routine corrective action if malfunction is noted; inspects vehicles for loose parts, damaged or worn tires or tracks, proper air pressure in tires and other items affecting safe equipment operation; performs routine and preventive maintenance as established by the unit.

Performs work assigned from work orders; completes job sheets and time sheets.

Performs site grading and maintenance.

Reads blueprints and contract maps.

Understands and follows oral and written instructions, directions, and traffic signals.

Maintains records and completes reports of activities.

Performs heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with associates.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Any combination of education and experience equivalent to the completion of the tenth school grade and two years of experience operating motor equipment, including one year operating wheeled and tracked motor equipment; or two years of progressively responsible manual laboring work, some of which has included the operation of such motor equipment.

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.

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 motor equipment both on and off the highway, mechanical equipment, manual and power tools.

Skill in the safe and efficient operation of heavy and/or complex motor equipment and tools.

Skill in the efficient use of and care for manual and power tools.

Skill in the operation of aerial lift truck.

Ability to service wheeled and tracked motor equipment.

Ability to read blueprints and contract maps.

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

Ability to maintain records and complete reports of activities.

Considerable knowledge of horticultural practices along with a strong understanding of tree care practices and the ability to climb, prune and remove trees.

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.

Ability to direct and oversee the activities of a laboring or motor equipment operation crew.

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 frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk 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, peripheral vision, 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, fumes or airborne particles, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed high, precarious places, and to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is very loud.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read and comprehend simple 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, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

Ability to deal with problems involving a several concrete variables in standardized situations. Shall have a valid CDL license Class A, issued by the State of Maryland, prior to appointment, or possession of such licensure within time limits specified by the county, and during tenure of appointment as a Motor Equipment Operator II, if required by work assignment.

Valid DOT card 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.

Possession of a tree expert license, issued by the State of Maryland, may be required depending upon work assignment and must be obtained within Department established time frames and maintained during tenure of employment.