Motor Equipment Operator - Public Works, Bureau of Highways, Mayfield Shop

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 policy making.

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations. 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.

This is a semi-skilled position operating motorized fleet and less complex construction equipment to haul material and personnel to job sites and provide operational support in the maintenance of the County's Highway network. Starting salary hiring range: $22.08 - $24.39 $ 45,933 - $50,732. Class description:
This is work involving the driving of trucks; operating of less complex types of motor and mechanical equipment; performing of a variety of skilled and semi-skilled manual tasks involving such equipment and a variety of hand and power tools. Work includes tasks needed in the construction and maintenance of public works projects. Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
• Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
• Operates dump trucks hauling sand, stone, pipe, tools and other materials used in road construction and maintenance.
• Operates motor vehicles and equipment with attachments and/or tools (such as chipper, compressor, tamping machine, trencher) to spread salt and sand on icy roads, shore up ditches, install pipes, cut grass, and similar activities.
• Trims rural roadside trees.
• Inspects and performs minor routine maintenance on vehicle, equipment and tools.
• Checks for damaged or worn tires or tracks, proper air pressure in tires, and other elements affecting safe equipment operation; performs routine and preventive maintenance as established by unit.
• Operates forklift or loader to load and unload heavy materials; manually loads and unloads other materials; performs both routine and skilled laboring tasks.
• Keeps log of vehicle operation; makes reports of equipment defects, accidents, traffic violations, and other mishaps.
• May operate more complex motor equipment, hand tools, and power tools; may direct and instruct other employees in the safe use of motor equipment, hand tools, power tools, and related work (i.e. loader, roller, skid loader, compactor, and chipper.)
• Performs all types of semi-skilled manual tasks such as: painting, rake and shovel stone, mix cement, flag traffic, mulch and seed, jack hammer, lay brick in highway maintenance.
• Will be required to operate a slope mower, weed trimmer and chainsaw while performing annual mowing of stormwater facilities throughout the County.
• Operates snow plow and salt spreader; plows, and salts road.
• Patches roads and shoulders.
• May oversee the work of subordinate employees.
• Directs traffic flow during work activities.
• This position is considered emergency essential and, as such, the incumbent…