Salary : $66,629.00 - $120,831.00 Annually
Location : 8270 Old Montgomery Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00453
Department: Public Works
Division: DPW - Utilities Maintenance
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: 7/29/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:
This is a front-line field supervisory position directing the activities of the Water and Sewer Construction/Maintenance crew. Activities include the layout and scheduling of water/sewer repairs and house connection installation, leak detection, customer inquiry and complaint resolution.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:$3203 - $35.02$66,629 - $72,842

*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 situated roles.*

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs supervisory and advanced level operations service work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes directing the activities of one or more crews of laboring and/or motor equipment operation and repair personnel; driving and operating of heavy motor, construction, and complex mechanical equipment; may direct and participate in the day to day operations of a large size site or sites.

*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*

*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.*

*Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810. *
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision and Leadership:

• Directs crews in performing water/sewer line maintenance activities.?
• Directs crewson taskssuch as excavation, inspection and grouting, road surfacing, laying pipe, tree trimming and removal and a variety of other operations.?
• Directs the activities of the repaving subcontractors for all public roadways after water/sewer repair/installation.?
• Trains subordinate crew members in equipment operations, trades practices, and care and use of tools and materials.?
• Assistsin interviewing personnel and recommends hiring.?
• Performs on-call duties for after-hours emergency response on a rotational basis.?

Technical and Field Operations:

• Schedules installation of all water and sewer connections installed by the Bureau of Utilities.?
• Performs layout work, coordinates with builders and plumbers
• Performs leak detection for water distribution system, including mains and house services.?
• Conducts investigations into customer inquiries and complaints.?
• Operatesheavy equipment such ashydraulic excavator, forklifts, compressors, trenchersand;;
• Performs skilled construction and maintenance work as needed by unit to which assigned.?
• Reads blueprints and contract maps, lines and grades when needed toaccomplishportions of a construction or maintenance project

Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance:

• Observes instruments while vehicle is in operationand performsroutine corrective action
• Inspects vehicles forsafety and maintenance issues
• Operate County vehiclesin connection with maintenance duties orfor regular duties

Administrative and Documentation Tasks:

• Completes job sheets and time sheets.?
• Enters data into computer data base.?
• Performs other related duties as assigned.?
• This position is considered emergency essential, and, as such, the incumbent maybe requiredto report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or whenan emergency situationrequires.?

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises a number of employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• A valid Class C driver's license.
• A certified Maryland Flagger Card or can obtain within six (6) months of employment.
• Successful passage of the examination for Water Distribution Operator and Wastewater Collection Class 2 operator's license prior to appointment or at the first available opportunity offered by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators.
• Applicants with appropriate experience and equivalent licensing from another state will be considered for employment but will be required to obtain a statement of reciprocity from the Maryland State Board prior to appointment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience in heavy construction and maintenance activities, which shall have included laboring and motor equipment operation work, and experience as a crew leader.
• Possession of a valid CDL license Class B, issued by the State of Maryland, with a valid DOT card and the ability to obtain a CDL license Class A, if work requires, is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of industry practices for water/sewer construction, water distribution system operation, and wastewater collection system operation.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints and contract documents.
• Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, methods and techniques of laboring and motor equipment operation activities as they relate to utility construction and maintenance work.
• Thorough knowledge of tools, equipment, materials and supplies used in public works or other construction and maintenance work.
• Considerable knowledge of the functions, operation and routine care and maintenance of a variety of motor and mechanical equipment.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in laboring and equipment operation activities.
• Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
• Ability to plan, assign and review the work activities of laboring and equipment operation crews.
• Ability to estimate materials, supplies, tools, equipment and man hours needed to complete assigned tasks.

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 stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift 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. 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 wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several 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.

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: