Utility Worker I - Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services - Howard County (MD) : Job Details

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:Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is 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 most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to 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.POSITION SUMMARY:This is an entry-level unskilled manual labor position that provides routine assistance to others in accomplishing the organization's objectives.CLASS DESCRIPTION:This is routine manual work usually of a repetitive nature. Work includes the use of manual tools and smaller power operated tools in a wide variety of laboring activities requiring physical exertion. Work is performed with the close supervision of a crew leader. Assignments are limited in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines.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.Assists with operation of citizen waste drop off and recycling facility to include opening and closing facility, maintaining an orderly traffic flow, directing citizens where to dispose of waste and recyclable material, site maintenance and clean up. Interacts with residents and contractors with a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures.Assists with operation of waste transfer station including inspection of incoming waste material, explaining safety and other landfill rules to customers, clearing debris and litter from the scale and surrounding area of the transfer station.Works at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility collecting, segregating, packaging and labeling waste materials received from the public; assists with bulk latex paint recycling.Operates forklift to move and load waste and other material. May train on other-wheeled vehicles, as directed.Performs site maintenance duties including minor repairs, site cleanup, and litter collection.Performs inspections and safety checks of equipment and vehicles; performs routine and preventive maintenance to equipment and vehicles.Assists in various construction activities at County landfill sites performing manual labor and using hand/power tools.Maintains various logs and other operating records documenting assigned tasks.Interacts with the public on a daily basis by answering questions, directing residents to the proper drop-off locations, and assisting with the unloading of vehicles.Completes work orders for County provided recycling and organic container exchanges, repairs, replacements or issuance to new residents.Inspects and cleans returned recycling and food scrap carts for re-issue as appropriate.Maintains storage area for recycling carts, bins, and other recycling collection items. Maintain inventory of carts, bins, and parts. Responsible for the neat and clean condition of all storage areas and the disposal of non-repairable carts and bins.This position is considered emergency essential, and as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or when an emergency situation arises.Performs overtime, Saturday and Holiday workSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:This job has no supervisory responsibilities.Any combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform routine manual work, including the use of manual and smaller power operated tools in a variety of laboring activities requiring physical exertion.PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Ability to follow simple oral and written instructions. Ability to learn safe and correct work procedures.Ability to learn the operation of hand and small power operated tools. Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.Ability to maintain effective relationships with co-workers.Certified to operate a fork lift.Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos and read a road map.Ability to effectively present information via one-on-one interaction with fellow workers, supervisors and the public.Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers.Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.Fluent in a second language.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 talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, ability to adjust focus and depth perception.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; traffic, walking, and confined space hazards; poisonous plants, and customer's pets.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 occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos and read a road map.Ability to effectively present information via one-on-one interaction with fellow workers, supervisors and the public.Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers.Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.Possession of a valid driver's license.Fork Lift Operator certification within six (6) months of hire.Possession of a valid Maryland approved flagger program within six (6) months of hire.Complete a Hazwoper 24-hour training within six (6) months of hire.