Salary : $43,748.00 - $70,999.00 Annually
Location : Alpha Ridge Landfill, 2350 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00580
Department: Public Works
Division: DPW - Environmental Services
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
Howard County:Convenientlylocatedin 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 organizationrepresentingcounty-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 havea 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 semi-skilled position performing various laboring and equipment operations functions at the County's landfill. Work includes performing semi-skilled duties involving the use of a variety of hand and power tools/equipment and limited use of motorized equipment. Work includes tasksrequiredfor the operation and maintenance of the landfill property and facilities. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried outin accordance withinstructions and established routines.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:$21.03 - $23.22
$43,748 - $48,290
*This is theanticipatedstarting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will bedeterminedby the Office of Human Resources,commensuratewith experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situatedroles.*
CLASS DESCRIPTION:This is a semi-skilled position performing general laboring operations. Work includes performing assignments involving the use of avarietytools. 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. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried outin accordance withinstructions 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 Local1810.*
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Facility Operations & Customer Service:
- Assist with operation of the wood waste drop-off and compost facility, including traffic flow, directing citizens, site maintenance, cleanup, and selling manufactured materials.
- Assist with operation of the citizen waste drop-off and recycling facility, including opening/closing, directing citizens, preparing materials for contractor collection, and maintaining orderly traffic flow.
- Collect and secure cash, checks, and electronic payments; issue receipts.
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
- Operate computerized scale systems and enter detailed information about incoming and outgoing waste and recycling deliveries.
- Keep records of daily residential and commercial waste received, materials exported, and daily cash/credit receipts.
- Operate equipment to move and load waste and other materials.
- Perform inspections and safety checks on equipment and vehicles.
- Conduct routine and preventive maintenance on equipment and vehicles.
Site Maintenance & Environmental Monitoring:
- Perform site maintenance, including minor repairs, cleanup, and litter collection.
- Conduct process monitoring, including measuring waste pile characteristics and size.
- Assist with various construction activities at landfill sites, including manual labor and hand/power tool use.
Administrative Tasks & Recordkeeping:
- Maintain logs and operating records documenting assigned tasks.
Other Duties:
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Performs some evening and weekend work.
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 abilitiesrequiredto perform semi-skilled manual work and one year experience in general laboring or public works maintenance and construction activities which include the use of small hand and power tools.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
- Annual Medical Certification, when required by work assignment.
- Annual respirator fit test, when required by work assignment.
- OSHA/MOSHA Annual Training Certification, when required by work assignment.
- CDL B within 6 months of hire.
- Forklift operator certification within 2 months of hire.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of the methods and techniques of operating and caring for hand and power tools, and heavy equipment.
- Skill in the operation of hand and power tools.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.
- Ability to compute weights and fees, and to maintain records and prepare reports.
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public.
- Fluency in a second language.
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 employeeis regularly required tostand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Theemployeefrequentlyis required tostoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. ?The employeeis occasionally required toclimb or balance and taste or smell. The employee mustfrequentlylift 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. Reasonableaccommodationsmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed tooutside weatherconditions. The employee isfrequentlyexposed to moving mechanical parts and toxic or caustic chemicals. ?The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles,dustand molds. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICALSKILLSAND REASONING ABILITY:Ability to read andcomprehendsimple 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, and other employees of the organization.
Ability to add and subtracttwo digitnumbers 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.
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 . 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
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 accordan
