Utility Worker III - Public Works, Bureau of Highways, Dayton Shop, Tree Care

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 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 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:

Serves as expert tree care specialist; operating and maintaining chain saws, pole saws, chippers and forestry trucks.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This is skilled manual work performing various laboring operations. Work includes performing skilled duties involving the use of a variety of hand and power tools and equipment. Work may include assisting in the instruction and direction of subordinate crew members as assigned by the crew leader. Work includes tasks needed in the construction, operation and maintenance of public works facilities in the unit to which the employee is assigned. Work is performed with general supervision from a crew leader or technical superior. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines. The work includes limited contacts with the public to answer routine inquiries or respond to complaints. Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Operates a variety of equipment such as a forestry truck, aerial truck, chipper, stump grinder and log loader to perform maintenance activities related to tree care.

Operates a forklift, compressors, trenchers, and other related equipment as required by work assignment.

Performs routine maintenance on power equipment including lubrication, cleaning, and sharpening.

Performs skilled construction and maintenance work as needed.

Trims rural roadside trees.

Inspects and performs minor routine maintenance on vehicle, equipment and tools.

Performs preventive maintenance on some equipment by changing oil and oil filters; checking battery water, transmission brake and steering fluid levels; lubrication; charging batteries; cleaning engine parts; and changing tires and windshield wipers.

Assists in traffic signal maintenance operations.

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

May on occasion utilize light duty vehicles for plowing snow and material application.

Sets up work zone traffic control.

Operates a wheel loader, dump truck and pickup truck to clear a determined snow emergency route.

Coordinates training sessions on equipment operations, trades practices, and on the care and use of tools and materials.

Performs other duties as assigned or required. 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 or the operation of wheeled or tracked motor equipment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Skill in the safe and efficient operation of dump trucks and other motor equipment of the same complexity both on and off the highway.

Skilled in the efficient operation and care of manual and power tools.

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

Skilled in the operation of mechanical equipment such as forklifts, forestry truck, chipper, stump grinder and log loader.

Skilled in climbing, tree care techniques and procedures.

Skilled in the use of dump trucks and pickups in snow removal operations.

Ability to learn the geography of the County.

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

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

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.

Ability to perform preventive maintenance on above mentioned equipment and vehicles.

Ability to perform computer operations as needed.

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. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.

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 road maps. Ability to effectively present information in a one-on-one setting 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. Must possess a valid Class "B" CDL license issued by the State of Maryland and DOT physical card prior to appointment, or possession of such licensure within time limits specified by the County, and during tenure of appointment as a Utility Worker III.

Possession of a valid Maryland approved flagger program card is required and must be obtained within Department time frames and maintained during tenure of employment

Confined space training certification is also required, and must be obtained within Department time frames and maintained during tenure of employment.

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.