Salary : $73,763.00 - $133,771.00 Annually
Location : Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant, Savage, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00689
Department: Public Works
Division: DPW - Waste Water Operations
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:
This is a skilled technical operations and supervisory position at The Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant. The work is performed under general supervision of the Plant Superintendent and involves performing skilled operational and maintenance tasks as well as supervision of other Plant personnel. Work includes supervising the activities of laboring and equipment operation personnel in areas such as construction, maintenance, landfill disposal, tree care, utility, vehicle repair, contracted refuse collection, water reclamation, parks, horticulture and forestry work.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:$35.46 - $38.79/Hourly$73,763 - $80,683/Annually

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*

*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
Plant Operations and Process Management:

• Oversees day-to-day operations of the wastewater treatment plant.
• Analyzes instrument and lab data to determine process requirements and ensure adherence to standard operating practices.
• Responds to plant power outages and other emergency conditions.
• Performs on-call duties on a rotating basis to support operational decisions.
• Maintains and evaluates operating records and communicates plant conditions to staff.
• Ensures adequate chemical and supply inventories; prepares and places orders.
• Prepares regular operations reports and weekly time reporting.

Supervision, Leadership and Personnel Management:

• Supervises, instructs, and assigns duties to Operators.
• Enforces established policies, procedures, and general guidelines.
• Reviews and approves leave requests.
• Monitors and evaluates employee performance; provides feedback and establishes individual goals.
• Participates in interviewing and selecting lower-level operators.
• May perform duties of Plant Superintendent in their absence.
• Replaces operating or maintenance workers during staffing shortages.

Equipment, Systems and Technical Oversight:

• Inspects plant equipment and processes; identifies malfunctions and determines required adjustments or repairs.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and controls operational modifications.
• Coordinates plant operations between Operations, Maintenance, and outside agencies or suppliers.
• Reviews and prepares comments on technical and engineering drawings.
• Performs system administration and configuration tasks for distributed control and database computers.

Safety, Compliance and Emergency Response:

• Disseminates information on safety and plant processes.
• Assists in accident investigations and prepares related reports.
• This position is designated emergency essential and may require reporting during inclement weather or emergency situations.

Training, Public Interaction and Outreach:

• Develops and implements training sessions on technical, safety, and process topics.
• Conducts training for plant personnel and external groups in both formal and informal settings.
• Conducts plant tours.

Other:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises four (4) employees in the Operations Section. 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 six (6) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Class C Maryland Driver's License.
• Class "5A" Wastewater Operator Certificate. Out of state applicants are required to obtain a statement of reciprocity.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods used in wastewater treatment operations.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in a water reclamation plant.
• Knowledge of the occupational health and safety hazards connected with the operation of a water reclamation plant.
• Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
• Ability to organize, supervise, and inspect the work of employees engaged in the operation of a water reclamation plant.
• Ability to interpret piping and electrical drawings and schematics; interpret process tests and make adjustments accordingly.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to successfully complete a seven-hour training program approved by the State for Superintendent's license at the first opportunity offered by the State; and maintenance of said certificate during tenure of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
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; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Rotating shift work may be required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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 moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as flow rates, Mean Cell Residence Times, weights, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

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.

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