Utility Worker II - Department of Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Maintenance Division

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 where your input will be heard and 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 help drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

This is an outdoor, semi-skilled position that provides both manual labor and equipment operation support to accomplish the organization’s objectives. The role includes working on a sewer cleaning crew performing program maintenance of sewer lines, working on a construction crew repairing buried water and sewer pipes and appurtenances, and walking and driving assigned meter routes. Positions will rotate between the different maintenance and service divisions of the Bureau of Utilities.

This position is represented under one of the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreements with Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.

This is semi‑skilled manual work performing general laboring operations. Work includes using 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.

• Works and cooperates with co‑workers and supervisors at all levels.
• Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.

• Works as part of a construction crew performing installation/maintenance of water and sewer lines.
• Operates a variety of equipment such as cement mixers, forklifts, jackhammers, and compactors in maintenance work, and other laboring activities as required.
• Performs routine maintenance on power equipment including lubrication, cleaning, and sharpening.

• Reads residential water meters for billing and maintenance functions using electronic devices or manually.
• Assists with reading and repairs of large commercial meters.
• Utilizes a handheld computer to locate property and record water meter readings.
• Performs residential water meter repairs in outside meter pits and inside private homes.
• Performs meter pit grade adjustments.
• Hangs turn‑off notices on properties for delinquent accounts.
• Turns water service off/on for delinquent accounts.
• May collect payments from customers from delinquent accounts.
• May be required to deal directly with the public at the work site.
• May perform duties of Utility Worker I.
• Coaches and trains Utility Worker I’s and newly hired or promoted Utility Worker II’s.
• May on occasion utilize light‑duty vehicles for plowing snow and material application.
• Sets up work‑zone traffic control and directs traffic during work activities.
• This position is considered emergency essential; the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather or when an emergency situation arises.
• This position will be assigned standby status on a rotational basis.
• The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.
• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of operating and caring for hand and power 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 work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public and coworkers.

• Can talk or hear frequently and must stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms regularly.
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must…