County Government Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION 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 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards.

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 a semiskilled position that provides both manual labor and equipment operation support to accomplish the organization's objectives. STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE: $21.03 - $23.22 hourly $43,748 - $48,290 annually CLASS DESCRIPTION: This is semiskilled 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.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months.* *Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.* *This position has been designated as "essential personnel," meaning an employee is expected to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis.* ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Equipment Operation: Operates a variety of equipment such as a spreader box, rollers, sweepers, hoses, cement mixers, forklifts, tractor with attachments, compactors and air hammers in highway maintenance work. Operates tailgate to regulate stone flow over tarred surfaces. Operations paint spray and highway striping equipment as needed

Operates snowplow and clears a determined snow emergency route. May operate a dump truck with attachments during emergencies. Maintenance and Repair: Performs preventative maintenance on some equipment by changing oil and oil filters; checking batter water, transmission brake and steering fluid levels; lubrication; charging batteries; cleaning engine parts; and changing tires and windshield wipers.

Grounds and Landscape Works: Uses scythes, lawn mower and other equipment to cut grass and weeds; Uses chain-saw and other tools to remove tree limbs, trees, and debris. Construction and Masonry Support: Lays brick or drainage structures. Builds and installs basic forms and guides for grading and masonry operations.

Performs concrete spreading. Reads blueprints and does stake outs. Traffic and Work Zone Safety: Set ups work zone traffic control.

May interact directly with public at work sites or other locations. Administrative and Operational Support: Inputs computer data. 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.

Performs other related duties as assigned or required. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform semiskilled 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.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS: Possession of a valid Class "C" driver's license with the ability to obtain a Class "B" commercial driver's license (CDL) within six (6) months of hire. Possession of a valid Maryland approved flagger certification and forklift certification are required within six months of employment. A confined space training certification may be required, if work assignment warrants.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge 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 to learn safe and correct work procedures. Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions. Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and coworkers.

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 to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste. 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, 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, vibration, fumes, and/or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; 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 ABILITIES: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, and to read a road map. Ability to write simple correspondence.

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure. 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. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: TO 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.