Motor Equipment Operator - Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services

Job Title

Motor Equipment Operator I

Howard County:
Conveniently located in 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 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. 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 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.

Operates a variety of motor equipment duties essential to the successful operation of the County landfill and transfer station. Work includes operating and maintaining motorized equipment, waste disposal and transfer facility operation, citizens' waste drop-off and recycling center operations and other site operations and maintenance duties as assigned. Starting salary hiring range: $22.08 - $24.39 $ 45,933 - $50,732 Class description:
This is work involving the driving of trucks; the operating of less complex types of motor and mechanical equipment; the 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. 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 Local 1810.

Operation of dump trucks or roll-off trucks, including loading, unloading of full or empty containers at County transfer facility or other disposal facilities. Operates various types of medium and heavy equipment such as Bobcat, wheeled excavators, backhoes, loaders, landfill compactors, and extractors to maintain and construct temporary roads and ramps; push, crush, compact, grade, level and load waste; build earth stockpiles;

and move or place a variety of other materials; load transfer tractor trailers; move trash in the transfer station or manipulate and load compost/mulch materials. Operates and controls stationary material handling equipment such as screeners. Performs daily inspections of heavy equipment and reports deficiencies for repair. Makes minor adjustments to equipment. Fuels, lubricates, cleans and performs minor routine maintenance to heavy equipment.

Routine maintenance may include the use of hand and pneumatic tools. Directs vehicle traffic in operating areas and instructs delivery vehicles where to discharge loads. Observes loads for unacceptable materials and reports problem loads to landfill or compost supervisor. Operates citizen waste drop off and recycling facility to include opening and closing facility, maintains an orderly traffic flow, directs citizens to waste…